BIRTHRIGHT MARKS 20 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH OPEN HOUSE TODAY

Seven years into a rocky marriage, Sue discovered she was pregnant. Her husband, in-laws, and her own parents urged her to get an abortion.

Despite the troubles in her marriage, Sue felt abortion was the wrong choice for her. She turned to Birthright for support.

For 20 years Birthright has been helping pregnant women who want to have their babies.

Today, they are celebrating two decades of work with an open house from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 134 S. Park.

"I was very vulnerable," said Sue, who asked that her real name not be used. "Everybody, even my mother and my family, was against me," she said.

"He was without a job. We didn't have any insurance. I was working, but it wasn't enough to make ends meet."

Sue asked her minister for advice. He recommended she call Birthright. "He said they will help you," she said.

Sue said she can't explain how much the volunteers and services helped.

"They paid for part of my doctor bills, gave me some maternity clothes and then some diapers once the baby was born," she said.

But it was more than that; the Birthright volunteer gave Sue a chance to talk about her feelings.

"I sat there and cried on that volunteer's shoulder," she recalled. "I couldn't even describe that lady, but she meant so much to me."

"At a point in time when I needed someone, they were there," Sue said.

"Without Birthright I probably would have had an abortion, even though I didn't think it was right. So many people were pushing me toward it," she said.

She had a healthy son and divorced her first husband.

A couple of years later she met and married her present husband. He adopted her first son, who is now 10. The couple now have another son.

"When I finally got on my feet I knew I was going to give something back to Birthright.

She has been volunteering with Birthright for seven years.

"I've seen a lot of tough cases," she said. "And some don't turn out as well. But some turn out great."

Today, Sue said her parents are very thankful she ignored their advice and had her son.

"No one would trade him for anything."

Delores Mier, who has worked with Birthright the entire 20 years it has been open, said Birthright is a charity. Three years after the chapter formed, Mier was elected director. She has served in that position since.

Volunteers administer free pregnancy tests, advise women on their options and offer help ranging from maternity clothes to financial assistance.

On a limited basis, the center offers baby clothes, formula, food and diapers. In crises they have paid utility bills or a month's rent.

"The purpose is not to provide everything they need but to help out a little bit when we can," said Mier.

The center depends on contributions to operate. A large amount of money comes through area churches. Volunteers speak during worship services and collections are taken for Birthright.

Mier said the agency is not affiliated with any one church; in fact, many different denominations offer support.

The Birthright chapter formed in the wake the U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalizing abortion. "We thought there might be a need here," Mier said.

"During our first year of operation we were only open two three-hour shifts a week. We saw a total of 61 people all year long," Mier said.

This past year the office was open five and a half days a week, or 11 three-hour shifts, and 1,776 people received some sort of service.

Over the years, Mier said, volunteers have developed a directory of other helping agencies and resources available to women, children and families.

"If any of them fall through the cracks, we dig in our own pockets to make up the difference."

One thing has not changed in 20 years: Volunteers are always needed, said Mier.

In addition to volunteers, who receive training, volunteer companions are also needed.

"We would like to have someone come and sit in the waiting room. They can bring their knitting or whatever. We just don't want the volunteers to be alone."

Mier said she hopes people will stop by before or after church to tour the facility and have refreshments.

In 20 years, Mier said, she has been witness to hundreds of stories like Sue's with happy endings thanks, at least in part, to Birthright. "That's what makes you feel it's all worthwhile," Mier said.