By Staff
NILES – "Walk on," was the theme for more than 340 participants in the Life Walk 2008 Saturday, at 9 a.m. in downtown Niles. The group exhibited festive t-shirts, trash bags, and smiles as they made their way from the Riverfront Amphitheater up Main Street half a mile and then back again. Throughout the morning, walkers also enjoyed face painting, a moon walk, live music, and free refreshments.
Hosted by the Pregnancy Care Center, the annual multi-faceted Life Walk raises money to support the non-profit organization, as well as awareness for their support for life. The walk also helps the center advertise their services and promotes city clean-up. Through this year's event, walkers brought in more than $20,000.
For 23 years, the Pregnancy Care Center has been meeting the needs of women in the Southwestern Michigan area, providing programs for pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. The goal of the center is to support women one step at a time through some of the toughest choices in their lives. Free services are provided to aid and educate women in matters of health and parenting.
"And I know it aches and your heart it breaks and you can only take so much…" U2 sings, in the lines of their hit, Walk On. Life is often like that for women facing an unplanned pregnancy – facing difficult choices and weighing heavy options.
"I didn't know exactly how our clients felt until last summer, when I had an unplanned pregnancy of my own. Now I understand so much – and the best part is, I can't imagine my life without my son." Maggie McAfoos, executive director, told walkers.
"We are here to give them options, support, and counseling. Women love support all throughout their lives from other women: shopping, cooking, working…. We can't even go to the bathroom in groups smaller than two," comments Kristin Lawrence, Director of Community Development. She adds, "So why should reproductive health be any different?"
Now located at 311 E. Main St. in Niles, the Pregnancy Care Center plans to offer more hours, more services, and more hope for life to the women of the Michiana area. "We want to see women who enter our doors seeking help, to go away with empowerment for the rest of their lives," Lawrence said. "Our goal is for these women to walk on, and on, and on."