Birthright to branch out into Marble Hill

MARBLE HILL, Mo. — Plans are underway to open a Birthright branch office in Marble Hill in the spring.

Kim Sellers, director of Birthright of Cape Girardeau, said the search has begun for office space or a two-bedroom house.

“We have a list of landlords and we’re working with local real estate agents,” Sellers said. The office will be open two days a week. The days and hours of operation have not been determined, she said, but one thing is definite — Volunteers are needed.

Sellers said volunteers at the Cape Girardeau center at 2633 Hopper Road average three to five hours a week. She said they do just about everything from sorting clothes to mowing the grass. Volunteers also work with clients, such as helping them with pregnancy tests.

Founded in 1968 in Canada, Birthright is a not-for-profit pregnancy resource center. There are centers throughout the United States, Canada and Africa. In Missouri, there are 21 centers. The Cape Girardeau center is the only one between Festus, Missouri, and Memphis, Tennessee.

Sellers said the mission of Birthright is to guide pregnant women into making a life choice.

“When a pregnant mom comes to us wanting an abortion, she is coming from a place of fear. We want to find out what that fear is and love her through it, help her to know that she does indeed have other options, life options,” Sellers said. “We love. We don’t judge. When she leaves the office, we hope that she feels listened to and loved — respected and not judged. And we pray that she chooses life for both herself and her baby.”

Birthright of Cape Girardeau opened in 1973. And after 47 years, it’s looking to branch out.

“We were blessed with a sizable donation from the Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese,” Sellers said. “So the idea came to life while brainstorming what to do with it, the best way to use/invest it in our moms. Once an idea, now a reality.”

But why Marble Hill?

Sellers described it as “an area of need with lack of transportation.”

The Marble Hill branch will serve pregnant women and babies up to 12 months old. The Cape Girardeau center serves pregnant women and children up to 36 months old. Women receive what Sellers described as a “baby shower in a basket” after they have their babies. It is filled with items such as diapers, wipes, formula, lotion, sleepers, hats, blankets, bottles and more. After that, she said mothers receive a “monthly gift” containing diapers, wipes, a couple of baby outfits and other items.

Maternity clothes are also available to expecting mothers. All of the items dispensed at Birthright have been donated.

Women are not required to show financial need in order to receive services from Birthright.

“Anyone who walks in gets served,” Sellers said.

Volunteers are needed at the Marble Hill branch. Anyone interested in volunteering may call the Cape Girardeau center at (573) 335-0750 or email birthrightcape@att.net.