The Newton Family Life Center is the newest pregnancy center in the diocese. It provides pregnancy testing, limited OB ultrasounds, parenting classes, educational pregnancy classes, adoption information and referrals, post-abortion support, and baby supplies (as part of the Client Cash Program). By BRIAN BIERMAN
Special to Catholic Times 

NEWTON — On June 24, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade ending federal protection of the right to abortion. Now, individual states will get to decide whether or not to allow abortion in their state. It was a tremendous victory for the pro-life movement, but there is still much more work to be done, especially in the state of Illinois. On the day of the ruling, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker promised the state would remain a “safe haven” for women seeking an abortion and called for a special session of the General Assembly to further expand and protect those rights in the state. 

As many in Illinois fight to expand abortion rights, people who support life in Newton are standing up to support men, women, and families experiencing pregnancy, parenting, and other related issues. The small city in Jasper County is now home to the diocese’s newest pregnancy center, the Newton Family Life Center. 

In addition to the Family Life Center, a new thrift store, The Silk Purse, has also opened in Newton. The Silk Purse Thrift Store carries a full range of items for the public’s shopping experience. All items are donated and all net proceeds from the store go to support the ministries of the Family Life Center. 

The Newton Family Life Center and Silk Purse Thrift Store are expansions of the locations already located in Effingham that have been operating for 27 years. So many clients were coming from Jasper County and the surrounding area that the board of directors thought there was a need to expand the Effingham pregnancy center to Newton to help those people. After several months of searching for locations in Newton, in April, two suitable locations were found for the pregnancy center and the thrift store. 

Thanks to the generosity of one individual, the cost of the pregnancy center building was covered and the thrift store building and land it sits on was donated by the neighboring concrete plant. Both buildings required some renovations, and a capital campaign was started to raise an estimated $290,000. To date, The Moving Forward in HOPE Campaign has raised more than $240,000, so there is still work to be done. If you would like to get involved, you can find information at the Friends of Newton Family Life Center Facebook page or donations can be mailed directly to Moving Forward in HOPE Campaign, 605 Eden Ave., Effingham, IL 62401.

The Family Life Center is a NIFLA affiliated Christian not-for-profit ministry that provides practical assistance, education, and support to empower and equip women, men, and families experiencing pregnancy, parenting, and related issues, to live healthy productive lives. The Newton Family Life Center provides pregnancy testing, limited OB ultrasounds, parenting classes, educational pregnancy classes, adoption information and referrals, post-abortion support, and baby supplies (as part of the Client Cash Program). Participants in parenting classes earn incentives of diapers and Client Cash for use at the Silk Purse Thrift Store with each monthly visit. With the completion of six visits, a mom earns a basket of new items for the baby and a car seat. The Family Life Center has several employees that are all trained to deal with clients as needed as well as many volunteers who help with many of the center’s events throughout the year. You can learn more about the Newton Family Life Center at their Facebook page, Friends of the Newton Family Life Center. 

The Silk Purse Thrift Store will be a huge asset to Newton and the surrounding area by providing a wide array of various household items and clothing at low prices. All of its inventory is donated by the public and most of the workers are volunteers keeping operating costs low. Countless area businesses and individuals volunteered labor and donated material to turn the building into a beautiful space the community can be proud of. Donations of clothing and household goods are accepted Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (closed Sunday and Monday). You can find more information about the store on Facebook at the Silk Purse Thrift Store – Newton.

The Newton Family Life Center and Silk Purse Thrift Store could not be possible without all of the amazing community support. Countless individuals, churches, and area businesses have gone above and beyond to help make these facilities a reality. Together, we can all create a positive environment where families stay strong, and society respects the dignity of life from conception to natural death. If you would like to learn more about the Family Life Center, please visit familylifepcc.org.  

Brian Bierman is a board member of Family Life Center and a St. Thomas the Apostle parishioner in Newton.

The Silk Purse Thrift Store provides a wide array of various household items and clothing at low prices. All of its inventory is donated by the public and most of the workers are volunteers keeping operating costs low. Participants in parenting classes earn incentives of diapers and Client Cash for use at the Silk Purse Thrift Store with each monthly visit. With the completion of six visits, a mom earns a basket of new items  for the baby and a car seat.

Submitted photo