Birth Choice of San Marcos, the non-profit organization for crisis pregnancies whose pro-life philosophy has inspired the creation of similar groups throughout Southern California, celebrated its ten year anniversary in April.
According to Grace Denny, director of the San Marcos center, Birth Choice has helped 13,426 women in San Diego’s North County deal with unplanned or untimely pregnancies by providing counseling, shelter, and other free services since the organization’s inception in April 1987.
That figure does not indicate the increasing demand for services in recent years. When the Birth Choice crisis center opened in 1987, the group assisted only eight women during its first month, and less than 400 during the first year. By contrast, Birth Choice helped an average of 110 women per month over the past year (April 1996 through March 1997) and 1,326 during the entire fiscal period.
Beginning in 1988, Birth Choice centers have been established in Encinitas, Temecula, Hemet, and most recently, in Indio. A private celebration for the volunteers of Birth Choice of San Marcos will be held on May 10 at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido.
Because Birth Choice is dependent entirely upon charitable donations, people in the community who believe in the work the organization has done over the past ten years are invited to visit Birth Choice of San Marcos at 277 S. Rancho Santa Fe Drive in San Marcos. Any and all donations are appreciated.
Birth Choice of San Marcos is open Monday through Saturday at 9 a.m. (760) 744-1313. The 24-hour hotline is 1-800-848-LOVE.
