Published on March 21, 2014
Catholic Charities’ pregnancy support services launches mobile pregnancy center
Women’s health services and support are now more accessible and available throughout South Louisiana with the new ACCESS Mobile Pregnancy Center of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans. This pregnancy support health facility on wheels provides free and confidential services and support for women including pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, material support and case management services.
“We are so pleased to expand the service area of ACCESS Pregnancy and Referral Center to women with this new mobile center.” said Sr. Marjorie Hebert. “We hope our big pink bus will soon be a familiar site in many neighborhoods throughout our archdiocese. Our doors are open and ready to assist women in need of support and information.”
Services available on board the mobile unit include on-board ultrasounds, four-minute pregnancy testing and pregnancy and adoption-related services. The unit also provides resources such as prenatal nutrition and diet information, doctor referrals and assistance in filling out Medicaid applications. The mobile unit is even equipped as a diaper bank, distributing diapers, baby wipes and layette baskets for new mothers.
As part of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, it is the only mobile service of its kind that offers comprehensive social services and pro-life health services for clients. From March – May 2014, the mobile center will be at the following locations from 9:30am-3:30pm:
Tuesdays: KENNER in the Divine Mercy Church Parish parking lot, 4337 Sal Lentini Pkwy
Wednesdays: COVINGTON in front of the Covington Food Bank, 840 N. Columbia Street
Thursdays: MARRERO at Hope Have, 1101 Barataria Blvd on the Westbank
“We see there is a need out there for access to low-cost health services and education for women on their options. Some of our clients don’t even understand how they got pregnant,” said Elaine Parra, staff member of the Mobile Pregnancy Center. “We give them information on all their options and let them know that there is support available for them,” Parra said.
As a pro-life ministry, ACCESS will also be frequenting schools and campuses throughout the Archdiocese of New Orleans as a teaching tool for students. Since late Fall of 2013, it has also established a presence on South Claiborne Avenue around the site of the new Planned Parenthood facility. “We know that’s where we need to be – to be that life presence in stark contrast to their presence,” ACCESS Program Director Michelle Black said.
The ACCESS Mobile Pregnancy Center will be blessed and officially commissioned for service by Archbishop Gregory Aymond at the ACCESS Jazz Brunch on Sunday, April 27, 2014 at the Audubon Tea Room.
For more information on ACCESS and the new ACCESS Mobile Pregnancy Center, visit www.accesspregnancy.com . No appointment is necessary for the Mobile Center. Walk-ins are welcome and encouraged! If you are interested in scheduling an appointment or would like more information on the mobile center, call 504-427-1278.
More about ACCESS Pregnancy and Referral Centers
ACCESS provides pro-life pregnancy support services to women throughout the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Annually, ACCESS serves over 1,000 abortion-vulnerable women through free and confidential services including pregnancy testing, ultrasound, material support and case management services.