HAND-IN-HAND PROGRAM 

PROGRAM NARRATIVE

The problem of unplanned pregnancy for a teenager or a young adult is a crisis situation. The anxiety these girls and women experience can be overwhelming. Everyone who walks through our doors has a different story and different set of circumstances, but each one needs to be loved, accepted, and supported through one of the most challenging times in their lives. Initially, our clients receive free pregnancy testing; then we offer both emotional support and practical help for our clients through our Hand-In-Hand Program if they choose to enroll. This program is designed to walk through the pregnancy with our clients who are first time parents by offering emotional support through peer counseling and mentoring. As we meet with the client monthly and her needs are assessed, she is referred to the appropriate agency for help. By enrolling in our program the client agrees to complete homework assignments that provide us with the assurance that she is taking care of herself and her baby.

If the client completes the assignments, she is given an incentive gift, such as, baby sleepers, baby wipes, diapers, baby blankets, etc. The volunteer peer counselor is instructed and trained to review the client’s homework and discuss it with her. The client earns points with each visit and completed homework assignment that may accumulate to a 350 point maximum. After the birth of her baby, she may then shop in our Baby Room spending her points. The items range from baby bottles to crib sheets, from dresses to comforters and bumper pads to all kinds of baby items and are mostly new items. We also give our clients baby swings, strollers, walkers, car seats, cribs, etc., as well as maternity clothes. Most of these items are second hand donated items. They are given on a first come, first serve basis. All of the gifts and services our clients receive are provided free of charge.

This is an ongoing program for Sav-A-Life of Dale County and has been in place for over five years. We provide a program focused on the client’s pregnancy and her needs during this time. If the client needs additional help, we refer her to the Department of Human Resources, Dale County Health Department, Dale County Rescue Mission, OCAP, food pantries at many area churches, The Joy Caring Society, Dale Baptist Association, the Salvation Army, Catholic Social Services, Alfred Saliba Family Services Center in Dothan, etc. The needs of our clients are many and range from needing help with classes for GED testing, job training, child care, transportation needs, to basic needs such as food, help with a power bill, medical assistance, or a safe place to live if necessary.

Sav-A-Life of Dale County currently reaches clients in Dale, Pike, Barbour, Coffee and Henry counties. Our pregnancy test center, Dale County Pregnancy Center, serviced over 329 client needs in the year 2005.