More than a pregnancy center

MONTROSE  — Life Choices is not just a pregnancy center. It is a family resource center providing new educational programs for women and opportunities for support, according to center staff.

Around the first of the year, Life Choices changed its name from “pregnancy center” to “family resource center,” to encompass all the center provides. At that time, Kathy Ellis, who is also a city council member, was named executive director.

Located at 200 S. Fourth St. in Montrose, the center is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Anyone is welcome to visit, obtain information on parenting or sign up for one of its many programs.

New this summer is a Fashion for Fun program run by the center’s education coordinator, Anita Daly.

“We meet once a week and talk about modesty to manners and etiquette,” she said.

The program is available to young women ages 11 to 18. Those 15 to 18 are placed in a leadership role and become youth advisors to the younger girls. On Aug. 5, the group is hosting a free back-to-school clothing giveaway in the Aquatic Center’s new addition from 1 to 3 p.m. Clothing from child’s size 6 through adults, both male and female, is available and donations are still being accepted at the center.

On Aug. 14 at the Montrose Christian Church, the group will host a fashion show to model clothing designs they created from the earlier clothing exchange. Admission is free but tickets are available at the center.

Another center program is Fashioned for Purpose, also facilitated by Daly. This several-branched program includes relationship consultations, focus on fertility and sexual integrity.

The relationship consultations are for women wanting to find out if their partner is “Mr. Right.” Using a series of test, it allows the participant to see the relationship in black and white, Daly said.

The fertility model is biology 101, she said. It discusses contraception and how the female body works.

“By knowing what the body does, they have more respect for their body and can make better choices with that information,” Daly said.

The sexual integrity program is for women dealing with sexual abuse or sexual misuse.

“It’s a really good tool to help young women put the past behind them and look to the future with a new outlook,” she said.

All three programs are one-on-one with the participant.

Participants with the center’s programs can also earn “baby bucks” that can be used to purchase baby items, along with maternity clothes, in the center’s boutique.

On Aug. 24, the center is holding a golf tournament at The Bridges Golf and County Club, one of its main fundraisers. To register, email gayla@valleyequipment.net.

For more information on the nonprofit Life Choices Family Resource Center, call 249-4302.