The banquet featured moving testimonies from clients, including one woman who chose life for her child, and another who found healing after participating in the post-abortion care program. Executive Director Jessie Andersen also shared an overview of the history of Options Care Center, detailing its evolution from Choose Life of Jamestown to the present day.

Guests were welcomed with a display showcasing 40 years of articles, photos, and memories from the center’s history. The exhibit highlighted the pivotal moments that shaped the organization, from its humble beginnings in 1985 when founders picketed as a response to the abortion practices at WCA Hospital, to the opening of the renovated Options Care Center in 2020, complete with an ultrasound machine.

Shortly after its establishment, the founders saw the need for a pregnancy center in order to provide much needed counseling and material goods to women in need. In 1986, Choice Pregnancy Center was opened, offering pregnancy tests, parenting education and baby items along with counseling.

For the next 33 years under the leadership of various directors including, Founder Shirley Jimison, Founder June Pumford, Mary Degnan, Marilyn Rhoney, and Sharon Hamilton, Choose Life held a steady pro-life influence in the community under the names Choice Pregnancy Counseling Center and Women’s Services of Chautauqua County while supporting women through their pregnancies and working with women to choose life.

The Hope/Baby Room is where future moms participate in the parenting program to earn credits to spend like dollars here for their baby.

In 2018, the board began looking into bringing an ultrasound into the center. By partnering with a local OBGYN to provide this service, Options Care Center would be able to literally show a woman the life inside her. But before this could happen, the location needed to be renovated.

2019 brought tons of change including the retirement of long-time director, Sharon Hamilton and the hiring of Jessie Andersen as executive director. Renovations shut down the center for nearly 6 months, and in January 2020, Options Care Center opened its doors to providing ultrasound.

Options Care Center currently provides pregnancy tests, ultrasound, STI testing and treatment, and Abortion Pill Reversal in partnership with a local OBGYN, parenting education, material assistance, diaper program, post abortion care groups, relationship education, and miscarriage support groups. All these services are free to clients.

“In the limited ultrasounds, the techs are looking for three things,” Andersen explained. “First, they want to rule out ectopic pregnancy, which can be dangerous for the woman. Secondly, they want to know if the baby is viable. They know this by locating a heartbeat. If it’s not viable and she is miscarrying, an abortion is a decision she doesn’t have to make. Lastly, they want to know how far along she is, which is determined by measuring the baby. Because the abortion procedures change depending on how far along she is, it’s crucial to know the gestational age of the baby in order to know what procedure she may be dealing with if she chooses abortion.”

As a life-affirming center, Options Care Center believes that a woman should be well- informed about all her options. She needs to know about parenting, adoption, abortion, and Abortion Pill Reversal. Many times women seek abortion services because they are being pressured by a parent or boyfriend to abort. They also choose abortion because they believe it’s their only option financially. Options Care Center provides much needed services at no cost and helps with finances through our diaper program and our parenting education program that provides baby items. “The 40 year journey has been nothing short of remarkable,” Andersen said. “We’ve touched countless lives, providing vital resources to women and families in need, from pregnancy tests and ultrasounds to parenting education and material support. But beyond the services we provide, we offer hope — a message that no woman is ever alone in the decision to choose life.”

Options Care Center Executive Director Jessie Andersen.

One of the most poignant moments of the evening was a testimony shared by a client who had received an ultrasound at the center. This client returned a year later saying, ‘My baby wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you. Thank you so much.'”

“There are times when I get frustrated about a client moving forward with an abortion.” Andersen shared. “And I get frustrated that maybe our numbers are down. But then I had a conversation with my husband. “He said to me, ‘You have to remember that if you work here for 20 years and only save one life, it’s still worth it.’ That put things into perspective for me. We can’t put a price on a life. Forty years of work in our community showing people the dangers of abortion, teaching and supporting families through our parenting program, providing diapers, wipes, and material goods for their children, teaching about healthy relationships in schools, providing support and healing for those post-abortive women and countless lives saved is all worth it. But even if we only had saved one and did none of the rest, it would still be worth it.”

As part of their continued commitment to providing life-affirming care, Options Care Center has also been involved in a federal free speech case regarding the use of abortion pill reversal.

“We want women to know they have a second chance if they regret their decision after taking the first abortion pill,” Andersen explained. “As we look toward the future, we hope to continue expanding our services and outreach, making sure every woman in our community knows that she has choices and support available to her.”

“We want to thank the many people involved in the success of Options Care Center,” Andersen said. “From volunteers to donors, each person who contributes is a vital part of the life-saving work we do. While 40 years is an incredible milestone, we’re just getting started,” she said. “We’re looking forward to expanding our services, reaching more women, and providing even more support for those in need.”

For more information visit.friendsofocc.com.