Receive Free Help in Fairbanks During your Pregnancy
In 2004, Nancy Gloria arrived at her new home in Fairbanks. When she became pregnant, she went to the pregnancy center. “They helped me with clothes and blankets for my baby. It was a blessing as I began my stage as a first-time mother and I thank the organization for supporting so many young women in difficult times,” said Nancy.
The FYNDout Free Pregnancy Center provides services to women, men and families in the Tanana Valley and surrounding areas throughout their reproductive history. “The center began operating in 1991 in the old Fairbanks Rescue Mission building,” said Trish Winners, executive director of this nonprofit organization. Since they began using electronic records around 2006, they have seen more than 4,000 clients in about 15,000 appointments. “Only 6% of people identified as “Hispanic,” but some other Spanish-speaking ethnicities identified as something different. Additionally, about 30% of clients do not identify with any ethnicity,” she said. Winners explains that the free monthly diaper, wipes, and formula program is very popular, but clients appreciate meeting with nurses for free pregnancy tests and limited obstetric ultrasounds, since these services would be expensive for uninsured women. They also provide court-approved prenatal classes for mothers and fathers in English and Spanish, which allow clients to earn points to spend at a boutique, which has recently been remodeled to facilitate free shopping. Clients can get maternity clothes, nursing supplies, car seats, and outfit their child’s room with baby items and clothing for up to two years of age. “Spanish parenting classes are not being used much right now, we would love to get the word out to Latinos to take advantage of this service,” Trish said. The center offers appointments, where they help clients fill out paperwork to obtain other available resources (such as WIC, SNAP, Medicaid) in the community and the State. It also provides breastfeeding support, prenatal vitamins, and anti-nausea advice, as well as support in the event of a miscarriage. “My satisfaction is in being able to help women, men, and families in a vulnerable time. We are a faith-based nonprofit organization, and our desire is to love and care for people as Jesus did,” she concluded. FYNDout Free Pregnancy Center is located at 4474 Pike ‘s Landing Road Fairbanks, AK 99709. Their phone number is 907- 455-8255. fyndoutfree.com |