By Audrey Stratton | Local Happenings
Our community has so many wonderful resource centers that few people are aware of. These can range from financial assistance, to rehabilitation services, and even religious counseling. One of our recent discoveries is CRADLE.
CRADLE stands for Christ-centered Resources to Assist in Difficult Life Experiences. CRADLE is a non-profit that was organized in 1996 exclusively to share the good news of Jesus Christ through Christ centered provision of crisis pregnancy intervention and related help.
The center is mainly staffed by volunteers from local churches.
They are located in the Carousel Center in Portsmouth on Gallia Street in Portsmouth!
CRADLE provides many wonderful services to our community such as parenting education, post abortion counseling, abstinence education and information on STDs, biblical counseling, and so much more!
They even cater to men. They offer resources to fathers who are in need of supplies, or even those who may just be struggling. They have male staff available to service anyone.
All services provided by CRADLE are free and confidential. The only requirement to earn CRADLE resources is to be pregnant or have custody of a child.
Their clients vary in age, social and economic status and religious beliefs. Some clients are young teenagers while others are married with several children. CRADLE does not discriminate in providing services on the basis of a client’s race, creed, national origin, religion, age, or marital status.
CRADLE offers free pregnancy tests, the ability to earn infant and toddler clothing sizes, coats, shoes, diapers, wipes, new cribs (and mattresses), new car seats, new high chairs, strollers, playpens, bouncy seats, and SO MUCH MORE!
These guys are amazing. They are committed to providing clients with accurate and complete information about pregnancy and prenatal development. They also have information on aortion procedures, possible risks and complications, as well as, alternatives to abortion including adoption!
CRADLE is run by a local board that consists of different supporting churches that oversee CRADLE.
They have many wonderful volunteers from many different churches that give so much of their time to counsel, teach parenting education, pack diapers, clean, along with many various tasks.
They told me just how blessed they are to have such caring people who have hearts to serve God as well as those in need.
If you are interested in volunteering at CRADLE, let them know! There are many different ways to volunteer and you can be flexible with your schedule. Volunteers can help with bible studies, counseling, office work, etc..
Due to COVID, CRADLE had to get creative on how they conduct their day to day services. They are open for their normal hours (Tuesday-Thursday, 10am-4pm) but only staff and volunteers are allowed into the building.
All appointments are being conducted by phone. From there, a counselor will schedule the rest with you! They are offering “door pick ups” where clients can pick up their requested materials right from the center.
They are all very anxious to open back up once it is deemed safe to do so!
CRADLE is gearing up for their Christmas Card Campaign which starts at the beginning of December. Any donations sent to CRADLE will be greatly appreciated and will go towards helping this much-need ministry continue to serve those in need. Donations are tax-deductible!
Looking to next year, CRADLE plans to hold a Diaper/Wipe Drive in the Spring. All donations whether they are great or small, monetary or material, are a huge blessing to to them, their clients and their families!
For more information, find them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CradlePregnancyCareCenter/photos/?ref=page_internal
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