Center of Hope celebrates 30 Years

A Center of Hope executive director Carol Fairman delivers remarks on another successful year for the pregnancy clinic in Walton County.  Photo credit: Deborah Stewart | Special to The Tribune

For the past 30 years, A Center of Hope has proven to be just that for women across Walton County who need help when facing pregnancy, especially unexpected ones.

Since 1996, when the clinic first opened its doors to the public, A Center of Hope was received over 19,000 client visits, given over 3,000 pregnancy tests, more than 1,700 ultrasounds and, most importantly of all for the faith-based center, received more than 150 professions of faith.

Yvonne Genest, co-founder of A Center of Hope, summed it up with the number that drew the loudest applause at Monday’s celebratory gala marking their 30th anniversary.

“111 babies have life because this center exists,” she said.

A Center of Hope offers resources to expectant mothers in need of assistance, providing help in pre-natal care, counseling, postpartum resources and more.

It’s all in the name of helping mothers choose life, rather than resort to abortion.

“My co-founder, Wanda George, said, ‘When people are in trouble and they need help, they need hope,” Genest said. “That’s what A Center of Hope does.”

Genest emphasized the gala’s theme of grace, saying the clinic offered God’s grace to all who came in their doors.

“God was and is our helper,” she said.

Carol Fairman, executive director of A Center of Hope, talked about the clinic’s many accomplishments this year at its many location and services.

“Tonight is the night to revel in the victories of 30 years,” Fairman said. “Tomorrow, we’ll open the doors and commit to doing it all again.”

She said A Center of Hope does a lot for women across the county at numerous locations.

“We’re a ministry of many names,” Fairman said. “In Loganville, we’re the Pregnancy Resource Center. In Monroe, we’re the Women’s Health and Wellness Clinic. And we have our mobile ultrasound vehicle.”

Fairman said A Center of Hope would continue to work to help pregnant women and save lives.

“For 30 years, God has been forming something beautiful,” Fairman said. “Each woman we see, she needs to be told she can do it and have something there to hold her hand. And we do just that.”