Meet Heidi, Practical Parenting Director!
Before Heidi began working at Huntsville PRC, she was a stay-at-home mom with two kids. Her first pregnancy was an unexpected one. She was nineteen at the time.
When asked why Heidi joined Huntsville PRC, she said, “I was very intrigued by how they were able to help the women in my community. However, I quickly realized it was not about what I could offer the women coming through the doors. We all have needs, and we all need each other. My story may serve to help these women. But the women, who I serve, have helped me too.”
When Heidi first started, she was a client advocate overseeing the intake of each client. Then she would sit with each client, listening to her needs and help her process her situation. Heidi expressed that many women come in with mixed emotions. They are overwhelmed by the unanticipated change now facing them. Many women express how terrified they are to be pregnant. Or how they don’t have enough support or are in a bad place in life. Heidi expressed, “Many women hit rock bottom. They come into our clinic having no idea what to do. For this reason, I am glad that Huntsville PRC is there for them.”
After several years of serving in that capacity, Huntsville PRC needed to implement classes. “We had a big need for classes on pregnancy, so those are the primary classes we offer, but we want to continue to be a platform to help with parenting for toddlers, helping create a stable environment for their household, and more.” Heidi quickly offered to take these classes on. “Initially, it all felt bigger than me. But I really treasure it.” Heidi said.
Huntsville PRC has offered these classes for the last five or so years. The classes are ten weeks long. Huntsville PRC provides classes in Spanish and a class for teens. After a year of teaching these classes, they launched the Fatherhood Program, which offers men the opportunity to learn how to support what the mom is going through, and become a good dad.
Heidi said, “Our classes are done in a group, and throughout the course, we help create a community. Sometimes, a woman will be able to unburden herself during one of these classes. The biggest fear women tend to face during an unplanned pregnancy is the lack of support. These classes help with that need. Our classes are very relational based. We laugh together; we cry together; we support each other. When my students graduate, they sometimes don’t want the class to end. So many women say, ‘it feels like home’ to them.”
This community is a safe place to be uplifted, especially for women facing difficulty or discouragement. Heidi said Huntsville PRC’s goal is always to meet women where they are and offer them hope.
If you’re a woman facing an unplanned pregnancy and live in the Huntsville area, why not look up Huntsville PRC? We are here for you!