Ramona Pregnancy Care Clinic celebrates 20 years

By Patty Bevers

As the Ramona Pregnancy Care Clinic heads into its third decade of helping pregnant women of all ages, this dedicated group of volunteers decided it was time for a celebration.

And celebrate they did at a dinner catered by John Little Catering in Calvary Chapel of Ramona. Approximately 230 people attended the annual benefit banquet. This year’s event featured national speaker Scott Klusendorf of Life Training Institute.

The clinic serves pregnant women throughout the county, but primarily from Ramona, Julian, Borrego, Warner Springs and the rest of the backcountry. Women experiencing planned and unplanned pregnancies receive assistance.

While the nation struggles with the definition of “life,” Ramona Pregnancy Care Clinic opens its doors daily, providing medical care, diapers, formula, baby food and other supplies to pregnant women in need. Counseling is provided to women who are facing crucial decisions regarding an unplanned pregnancy, and options supported by spiritual guidance are offered.

No one is turned away. Approximately 140 pregnant women were assisted in the past year.

Klusendorf presented unique ways for every individual to assist these women. Saying that about 4,000 abortions occur daily in the country, he educated the audience about the realities of unwanted pregnancies, many of which occur because the mothers-to-be are uninformed and desperate.

Many of the women are very young, or they do not believe they have the resources to complete their pregnancy. That’s where the Ramona Pregnancy Care Clinic comes in.

In the past year, the clinic has provided medical services averaging $250 per person to more than 140 women. It provides struggling women and families with assistance including personal and spiritual counseling, medical services and referrals, and a variety of resources—regardless of their ability to pay.

RPCC’s annual costs of $128,000 rely on contributions. The banquet, while providing an opportunity to enjoy a meal with many people, offered an occasion for many who care to assist women and families who need help. The benefit banquet provides the chance for caring people to partner with the clinic in providing: pregnancy testing and crisis counseling, ultrasound imaging, medical exams, classes and support groups, post-abortion healing counseling for women and men, and emergency supplies.

While the community battles the uncertainties of the upcoming year, both financial and otherwise, residents are asked to remember the added difficulties of these women who have found themselves in a crisis pregnancy.

For more information, contact Anita Krisik, Ramona Pregnancy Care Clinic executive director, at 760-789-7059, or visit the center at 1530 Main St. in Ramona.