Heartline Pregnancy Center in Warsaw offers options and resources for expected or unexpected pregnancies. Pictured is the staff of Heartline. Shown from left are Dave Koontz, executive director; Juana Cervantes, client advocate; Margaret Hix, client advocate; Kiley Seaney, clinical services director; and Leonelle Jones, client advocate. Photos by Phoebe Muthart.
By Phoebe Muthart
Staff Writer
WARSAW — Whether you’re experiencing an expected or unexpected pregnancy, Heartline Pregnancy Center can help.
It makes its mission to encourage and equip clients to build the future they desire. Heartline’s passion is to provide a professional, sincere and nonjudgmental environment where each client can experience unconditional support during pregnancy and parenthood. It offers services for both mothers and now fathers, before and after birth.
The first step is the intake process. Once a pregnancy test is conducted and the woman finds out she is pregnant, she meets with an advocate. The client advocate will provide referrals that might be helpful to them. This can be a doctor or insurance and other helpful resources.
“We talk to them about prenatal care,” said Dave Koontz, executive director. “This could be WIC or prenatal vitamins, among others.”
Due to the generous contributions of the local community, Heartline is also expanding. It has been blessed with the opportunity to provide all services completely free of charge, while also upholding the highest standard of confidentiality and quality of care. Heartline does not perform nor refer for abortions nor give birth control.
“We discuss options,” said Kiley Seaney, the clinical services director. “After the intake process, an advocate goes over all of that.”
Heartline is expanding its services to provide help to the Hispanic population. It has three bilingual staff members who can translate and talk to expectant mothers, and is adding two more employees.
“We are trying to reach the Spanish population,” said Koontz.
Heartline now offers a variety of services for men, as an unplanned pregnancy can be overwhelming for the father, too. In the same way it offers advocacy services for pregnant women, Heartline also offers these services for their partners.
In addition to meeting with a men’s advocate, with the female client’s consent, the father of the baby will be present for the pregnancy test results and, if applicable, the ultrasound.
For those men preparing to be a father for the first time, Heartline offers Rock Solid Fatherhood, educational classes geared specifically toward men. A room at the center is dedicated for fathers.
“We are currently looking for a fatherhood coordinator,” said Koontz.
Heartline is getting a grant from the state to enhance its social media awareness. It receives funds from the K21 Foundation, among other agencies.
“It’s a community effort,” said Koontz.
Client advocate Leonelle Jones said women really just need support. “We want our clients to feel empowered,” Jones noted.
Heartline provides life skills, education and one-on-one support.
Parents can earn BABE coupons while receiving help from area resources. These include local doctors and educational and safety programs in the community. By attending appointments or reaching previously set goals, these coupons can be used in the BABE Boutique located in the same building.
Parents can earn up to four coupons per month through the parent resource library and up to five in the children’s library. Both are located in the BABE Boutique. The boutique has clothing, diapers, formula, books and other necessary infant items.
“The baby boutique is designed to encourage families to make a healthy decisions for the child and parent,” said Koontz.
Heartline also offers vouchers for sexually transmitted infections referrals.
All services are free and confidential; all you need to bring is a photo ID.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to noon Friday.
For questions, call (574) 267-5110 or text (574) 635-1272. Heartline Pregnancy Center is located at 1515 Provident Drive, Warsaw.
For more information, visit heartlinepregnancycenter.org.
Pictured are Amechi Smallwood Jr. and his father, Amechi Smallwood Sr., who are at the BABE Boutique in Warsaw. Parents can earn coupons while receiving help from area resources. These coupons are used to “buy” items, such as diapers and clothing. Heartline Pregnancy Center has a program called Rock Solid Fatherhood.