History
LifeCare exists today because of the vision and prayers of several women from First United Methodist Church of Brandon. These ladies realized there was a great need in the Brandon community concerning women and teens facing unplanned pregnancies. Their vision was to provide a safe place; offering hope and help in difficult situations. Brandon Crisis Pregnancy Center was born in June of 1987 with one paid staff member, 15 volunteers and $100.00.
To date our ministry has grown to 5 full-time and 1 part-time paid staff, 40 volunteers and an annual budget of $350,000. As of June 2008, after 21 years of ministry, our total client contacts (walking through our door) are over 45,000. We currently serve between 250 – 300 (3500 per year) women, couples, children and families each month.
In 2006 we received a federal grant in partnership with two other pregnancy resource centers for our Impact Prevention Services, which reaches students in Hillsborough County Schools with the abstinence until marriage message. Over 7500 students were reached through our Brandon abstinence program alone in 2007!
Ministry growth continued in the year 2007. The Center, along with the guidance and mentorship of Family Enterprising, birthed a new program: Birth of a Family. The purpose of this program is to mentor and encourage young parenting couples in growing a spiritual foundation for a lasting, healthy family. To date, 28 client couples have graduated from the 6-week class (9 married, 19 unmarried) with the mentorship of 14 Family Advocates, 3 client couples have been married, 10 couples are now attending Church regularly, and 7 individuals have made a commitment to Christ and have followed through with Baptism!
Another life-changing program that was added in 2007 is The Sexual Integrity Program. This includes the “Steps to Sexual Health” DVD series which is a counseling approach to empower women with vision and value for themselves and their future through making healthy life and sexual choices. To date, 12 women have completed the 10 sessions and have made a commitment to live their lives with sexual integrity.
In February 2008 we launched the new post-abortion healing Bible Study, “Surrendering the Secret” written by Pat Layton of Life Impact Network (Tampa), and published by LifeWay Christian Resources. Seven women participated in our 8-week study and experienced God’s amazing love, grace, forgiveness, healing and freedom from the heartbreak of their abortions.
Our dream for the past 15 years is now becoming a reality as our Board of Directors are strategically planning and believing God to open a residential home in our Community for women and their children:
“Haven of Hope – Where Love Takes You In, and New Life Begins”
Please partner with us in prayer and provision to make Haven of Hope a dream come true for the women and children now and in the years to come who are in desperate need of our love, care and hope for the future God has planned for them.
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