A Tale of Two Buildings

“It was the best of times. It was the worst of times…” Fifteen years after the legalization of abortion, a group of caring individuals came together to open Center for Women in 1988, with the desire to make a difference in their community. These individuals likely had no idea just how far their influence would reach. For 33 years, Center for Women has come alongside thousands of women facing unexpected pregnancies, providing parenting support, material assistance, and post-abortion counseling. In 2015, Center for Women expanded its services to reach men, and launched the Dads All In program. Though the individuals working with clients have changed over the years, the desire to make a difference has not. Center for Women’s goal has always been to help reach individuals seeking abortions and provide them with the support and truth they need to choose life for their unborn child. Every service we offer is intentionally chosen because statistics show it helps those facing unplanned pregnancies choose life. 

For several years we have wanted to add STD testing to the services we offer, because women seeking abortions should be tested prior to having an abortion procedure done. If we could offer this service free of charge to the client, it would provide the opportunity to have conversations and offer support which could empower her to make a choice for life. However, the building which has served us so well for 33 years does not have the space necessary to add this service. This led the current board and staff of Center for Women to begin praying and seeking a larger building in the spring of 2020. We first saw this building (pictured below) in May, and immediately recognized the potential it had to meet our needs and allow us to expand our services. With 7,000 square feet of space, and two levels (each including 8×10 exam-style rooms) it seemed perfect. The only unperfect thing was somebody else decided they wanted it and quickly made an offer, which was accepted. Throughout the summer we continued looking at other buildings but didn’t find anything else that seemed quite right. In August, we learned “our” building was back on the market, and we watched in awe as God dropped all of the pieces into place for us to purchase the building at 500 Lansing Avenue! We will forever be grateful to the donors who gave anonymously, allowing us to pay cash for the building upon closing, and to those who have since given so generously since that time allowing us to do renovations and furnish the new space. The new home of Center for Women is a testimony to this community’s commitment to supporting life. This dream would not have become a reality without YOUR support! Funding received by individuals, churches, and organizations, gives Center for Women the resources to offer all of our services free of charge to every client who comes through our doors. 

Renovations throughout the entire building are now complete and we would love to show you what’s happening here! Contact us to come for a tour (staff@cfwjackson.org, or 517-787-4673).