This year’s Big Talker Shootout Golf Tournament, sponsored by ESC Consulting Engineers, and hosted by KICK Talk Radio, 99.5 FM KADI, and the Dream Network, was a huge success! The event was held June 8-10, 2023 at the Betty Allison Golf Course and raised an incredible $12,520 for PCC!
Every dollar raised goes to supporting PCC’s mission to save lives and strengthen families in southwest Missouri. Thank you to all who participated in this wonderful event benefitting PCC!
Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
On December 1, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, a case challenging Mississippi’s Gestational Age Act. This law limits abortions after 15 weeks in gestational age, permitting them only in medical emergencies or for severe fetal abnormality.
This case directly challenges the Supreme Court’s ruling in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which prevent states from banning abortion before viability. Depending on the Court’s decision, Roe v. Wade could be overturned, which would give states back the power to regulate abortion – including banning it – according to the wishes of each state’s citizens.
The Court is expected to rule on the case in June 2022.
We pray for a favorable outcome in protecting unborn children and their mothers. But regardless of the outcome, PCC – like pregnancy resource centers all over the country – will be here providing compassionate care and real choices to women and men facing unplanned pregnancy.
Source: Heartbeat International Pregnancy Help News, Alliance Defending Freedom
FDA Relaxes Abortion Pill Restrictions
The FDA recently relaxed restrictions on the dispensation of the abortion pill, no longer requiring that the drugs be given in person in a medical setting, specifically a clinic, hospital, or medical office. Chemical abortion, also known as medication abortion, is a two-drug regimen legal up to 10 weeks in the U.S.
Instead, women will have telehealth visits with providers who then prescribe the drugs and send them to the patient through the mail. However, the FDA’s actions do not override prohibitions in states like Missouri where the use of telemedicine to administer medication abortion is illegal.
Source: Heartbeat International Pregnancy Help News
January is Sanctity of Human Life month, which, as you can imagine, is particularly meaningful for the PCC community.
After all, our mission to save lives and strengthen families is deeply rooted in the conviction that every human life has inestimable and inherent value, created by a God of love for a meaningful purpose.
Sadly, that idea can be a tough sell in today’s world.
For the past five decades or so, our culture has cheapened the value of life in various ways, abortion being chief among them. The pervasive narrative asserts that a person has value only if someone else assigns value to them.
If a person is not “wanted,” their existence is not warranted.
In other words, people without power or the potential to be “productive” are insignificant. This mentality clearly harms the unborn, but it also devalues the elderly, terminally ill, and developmentally disabled.
Even still, we live within a cultural dichotomy: We are hardwired to esteem human life and do our part to preserve it, often at great personal and societal cost.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, we saw this play out daily in 2020. We agree that it is good and right to save lives and do all we can to prevent the loss of human life.
We have all witnessed – and many of us have experienced firsthand – the heroics of healthcare workers serving courageously and compassionately, undaunted by the personal risks they face. We have united around the goal of protecting our fellow citizens. Why?
Because life is precious, and we know it.
In the deepest part of ourselves, even when we try to deny it, we instinctively understand that each person is unique and irreplaceable – a living, breathing bearer of God’s DNA.
PCC welcomed 450 babies in 2020, so, each day, we get to experience expectant parents’ excitement as their due date draws near.
They imagine what their baby will look like: Will he have curly hair or blue eyes, or fair skin? They wonder whether her temperament will be easy-going or intense.
And they dream about the many ways their child will impact them, their families, and the world.
We wonder about these things because we do not have any control over them. God alone builds their bodies and packs them with personality and potential before they are ever born. Then, He entrusts these tiny treasures to our care.
The entire process is nothing short of a miracle, shrouded in mystery and beauty – even amidst complex circumstances and what feels like terrible timing.
We know this, and yet somehow, as a culture, we have managed to convince ourselves that life is disposable. We have discounted the wonder of a freshly formed human life – to the detriment of ourselves and our entire society.
The solution is simple – not easy, but simple: We need to start from a place of honor for the creative design and mystery inherent in every person – young or old, rich or poor, black or white, born or unborn.
We should be in awe of God’s creation – just like we are when we behold a breathtaking sunset or climb a mountain peak – and treat our fellow human beings like the masterpieces they are.
We can never fully unveil the mystery in another person. So, let’s be humble enough to recognize that God is writing a story with each of our lives.
In a nutshell, that is what PCC is all about.
We honor our clients by serving each man, woman and child with compassion and treating them with the dignity God intended.
We offer hope and practical help from a place of authenticity and empathy, so our clients can value their own lives and find the courage to honor the life that God has created within them.
—Lisa
The Springfield Pregnancy Care Center was recently featured by Pregnancy Help News and the National Right To Life News for 20 years of continued impact.
Twenty years ago, Pregnancy Care Center (PCC) began offering alternatives to abortion for women in southwestern Missouri. Today, the organization continues its mission of saving lives and strengthening families through medical services, pregnancy options education, and numerous online and in-person classes, assisting women and men facing unplanned pregnancies…
PCC was named the Great Game of Business 2020 All-Star Champion for social sectors! This is a national award recognizing the best of the best among nonprofit, educational and governmental Great Game™ practitioners.
Great Game™ is an open-book management operating system rooted in the notion of teams really knowing what’s going on and possessing the authority and responsibility to affect change in the organization. Businesses, both for-profit and nonprofit, that implement Great Game™ typically experience dramatic improvement in financial and operational results as well as organizational culture.
Our initial goal was to make PCC more financially sustainable so we could continue to fulfill our mission of saving lives and strengthening families. We also desire to be excellent stewards of the resources God and our community partners entrust to us, and Great Game™ provided the perfect framework for greater accountability and transparency.
After implementing Great Game™ in September of 2018, we noticed immediate improvement in several key areas—especially when it came to financial literacy, teamwork, focus, and gaining momentum in areas where we had previously been stuck. The excellent client service, healthy organizational culture, and positive financial results motivated our team to continue playing Great Game™.
Great Game™ has helped our entire team feel more confident that our mission is secure while allowing us to feel less stressed and more knowledgeable about our financial position and operational goals. With Great Game™, we know that everyone is focused on the right things and working toward the right goals in the right ways.
The financial results have also been strong. Since implementing Great Game™, revenue has increased by 18%; net income has increased by 308% and PCC’s cash reserves have increased 300%. Like many nonprofits, we used to struggle with insufficient cash and too much debt. Today, we have three months of cash reserves and no line-of-credit balance.
Due to the coronavirus outbreak, PCC was forced to postpone our largest fundraiser, the Annual Banquet, which delayed a projected $400,000 in revenue. Thankfully, PCC was designated an essential business in the wake of the pandemic in March and at that time, most of our team began working from home. But Great Game™ helped keep us connected, thanks to the weekly huddle rhythms we had already established.
We are so grateful that we have been able to stay focused on our mission and on serving our clients. While other non-profit organizations have been in survival mode and having to lay off valuable team members, PCC has been able to keep all of our team members on at full pay, which allows us to do what we all feel called to do – offer hope and help to those facing unplanned pregnancy.
We believe God has used the Great Game™ concepts and tools to give us the reality check and the confidence we need to move forward, and we trust Him to help us not only recover but come out of this stronger than ever.
“What’s amazing is her [Lisa McIntire’s] application of teaching everyone in the organization what it took to turn the organization around. As a result of opening [the financials] and teaching people how to survive and grab the brass ring, it’s been an incredible story and an incredible success. Congratulations!”
Jack Stack, Founder, President and CEO of SRC Holdings, Author of The Great Game of Business
“Great Game has made us more aware of all the departments and how we all work together for a bigger goal. We all work as a team for the goal of ourselves, our team, and our company. Without helping the team, we cannot help ourselves.”
Allison Forrest, Project Coordinator for PCC
“Our culture has become more collaborative at resolving challenges. Each team member is engaged, even for line items that are not in their department. I notice a greater respect for one another because there is a common understanding of the role each team member plays to impact the mission and the budget.”
Denee Fay, Community Engagement Director for PCC
A big thank you to Northside Christian Church for awarding a grant to PCC to help support our newly launched online education program! During the statewide shelter in place order, the PCC team implemented creative solutions which provide clients with the help and guidance they need during this unique time.
The goal of supplementing PCC’s robust education program with online classes is to eliminate the practical barriers which prevent many clients from receiving access to PCC services in the center. Now, clients can access quality educational material online taught by subject matter experts through our newly launched 417families.com website. Virtual classes will be available on an ongoing basis for clients who cannot access our physical location even as in-center classes resume.
PCC’s nearly 100 classes cover topics such as pregnancy and birth, baby’s first year, life skills, positive partnerships, fatherhood and much more. These classes are a crucial part of PCC’s mission to save lives and strengthen families. As clients invest in themselves through education, they are building their confidence as parents and discovering their potential, which are both keys to strengthening their family unit.
Upon reflecting on the services and support PCC has provided throughout her pregnancy and journey as a new parent, one mom stated, “Pregnancy Care Center has helped me so much in the transition to motherhood. From the classes they offer, to the diapers I have received, and all the support the women have shown, I’m forever thankful for them.”
This gratitude is extended to all of our partners who support the work of PCC and to Northside Christian Church for their generous investment in our online education program!
PCC is committed to the highest standards of financial accountability, transparency and ethics in fundraising. We want to ensure that every dollar you donate is stewarded wisely towards our mission of saving lives and strengthening families. The ECFA accreditation is a recognition of our achievement of these financial and fundraising goals.
Founded in 1979, ECFA is comprised of over 1,700 evangelical Christian organizations, which qualify for tax-exempt, nonprofit status and receive tax-deductible contributions to support their work. ECFA’s steadfast purpose is to articulate, maintain, manifest, and enforce a code of financial accountability, ethics, and reporting which is consistent with enlightened and responsible Christian faith and practice.
Becoming a new father is one of the most wonderful life events a man can experience. But it can also feel overwhelming. Take heart. By gaining some practical knowledge, setting realistic expectations and creating healthy habits, you can be a great dad!
Here are 10 tips to help get new dads started down the right path:
1. Understand that you matter. Study after study has shown that when children have involved, loving fathers, they learn more, perform better in school and exhibit healthier behavior. Even when fathers do not share a home with their children, their active involvement can have a lasting and positive impact.
It’s easy for dads to feel like they aren’t needed when their children are newborns, but the opposite is true. Whether you are in a committed relationship with the baby’s mother or will just be co-parenting, the relationship you start building with your baby in his or her first few months can positively impact your child’s future for years to come.
2. Get to know your child as an individual. Just as every adult is a unique individual with our own temperament, personality, interests and habits, your baby is unique too.
Nurturing your child in a way that supports her individual tendencies helps her feel loved and secure. For example, some children are naturally outgoing and self-motivated, while others are shy and may need more encouragement to try new things. Also, understanding why your child behaves the way he does will also help ease your frustration when faced with challenging parenting situations.
3. Remember that all babies cry. Crying is natural and is a baby’s first method of communication. In fact, infants will continue to cry to let you know about their unmet needs until they learn to talk. He may be hungry, wet or tired.
Instead of letting frustration and anxiety build when your child cries, try to reframe the experience as, “My baby is trying to tell me what she needs.” It will likely take time for you to learn what your baby’s different cries mean. So be patient with yourself too, and remind yourself that each time you try to meet your baby’s needs in response to her cries for help, you are building trust and teaching her that the world is a safe place.
4. Be the best version of yourself instead of trying to imitate another dad. Babies don’t care about your education level or career. The great news is they don’t have the capacity to compare you to other dads, and they will love you for who you are if you are attentive and kind to them.
Just be present with your child and include him at age-appropriate stages in your hobbies and interests. If you like to spend time in nature, invest in an infant carrier or jogger stroller and take her with you. If you like music, play for him. If you like sports, take her to a game to take in the action. There are countless ways to include your child in your everyday life, and he will cherish the time with you no matter how you spend it.
5. Accept that caring for a baby is a full-time responsibility. Shortly after the birth of your child, you will likely realize that this is a 24/7 kind of commitment. That’s when the overwhelm can start to set in, and it’s helpful to remember that parenting is done just like every other aspect of life – one day at a time.
Creating routines around eating and sleeping, while it can be hit or miss during the newborn stage, is helpful for making the days and nights go more smoothly. Safety proofing your home is another important part of helping to ensure your child is protected as she moves into the crawler and toddler stages.
6. Familiarize yourself with basic infant development. While it’s true that babies differ in when they achieve certain developmental milestones, such as sitting up or saying a first word, it’s also true that babies tend to develop in important areas along a fairly specific timeline.
Knowing how your baby might develop in four key areas – physically, mentally, emotionally and socially – can help you set realistic expectations and gain more confidence as a new dad. For example, if you know that most babies start sitting up on their own at about six months, you don’t need to be concerned if your baby is still wobbly at four months. A class for expectant and new dads, like PCC and Good Dads offers, will provide this information and give you ideas for encouraging your baby’s development. In a pinch, a Google search will help you with the basics too.
7. Take care of yourself too. Moms are constantly told to take good care of themselves, especially during pregnancy and in the baby’s first few months. But what about dads? It’s just as critical that your physical and emotional needs be met during this transition time too.
If paternity time is available to you through your employer, take advantage of it. But even if you can’t take much time off, implementing some simple strategies can help a lot: Sleep when the baby sleeps. Keep meals simple to avoid extra time shopping, cooking and cleaning up. If you have help available, carve out some couple time to do something enjoyable together. Parenthood can feel all-consuming, so even a few minutes of time spent in a refreshing activity can rejuvenate your body and mind.
8. Don’t equate a paycheck with love. While it’s important to financially provide for your family, earning a paycheck will not translate directly as love to your child. It’s been said that love is spelled T-I-M-E. Spending quality time with your child is an invaluable investment that buying more stuff can never compete with. Babies’ needs are basic, and they are usually content with just a few developmentally-appropriate toys (or a drawer full of plastic containers!). So focus on giving your child the things money can’t buy, and you will both be happier for it.
9. Recognize that all parents feel frustrated sometimes. Having a new baby means lots of changes to routine and can impact many areas of life – physical, relational, emotional, social and financial to name a few. Those changes, coupled with lack of sleep, can lead to feelings of frustration. This is completely normal and taking small steps in managing that frustration can keep it from escalating into full-blown anger.
Try to remember that your baby’s actions, no matter how frustrating, are likely normal for his age. Make a conscious effort to relax by taking deep breaths or taking a brisk walk (even inside your house if you’re the only one with the baby). Give yourself permission to take a break. Place the baby in a safe place, such as her crib, and give yourself a few minutes away.
10. Ask for help. Having a support system of family or friends – even if it’s just one person – to help you during this time of transition can be a game changer. Don’t be afraid to rely on them, especially in the first few weeks. Accepting help is not a sign of weakness; it demonstrates maturity in recognizing that you have limits. Having someone watch the baby so you can eat, shower or sleep can make a big difference in how you feel and function.
REALGOODDADS.BLOGSPOT.COM | AUGUST 19, 2019
Lisa McIntire is passionate about helping families in our community and serves as the Executive Director of Springfield’s Pregnancy Care Center (PCC) and is a member of the New Pathways for Good Dads Council. The Pregnancy Care Center is a New Pathways for Good Dads Partner and a great community resource offering a fatherhood program for expectant and new fathers, which includes fatherhood-specific classes and one-on-one coaching with male mentors.
We are proud to announce that PCC has been named the 2019 Nonprofit Organization of the Year (Medium Division) at the Southwest Missouri Nonprofit Excellence Awards.
The Nonprofit Excellence Awards recognize passionate, dedicated individuals and organizations that strive to make our community a better place to live, work and play. In addition to receiving Organization of the Year, PCC was also a finalist for the Excellence in Innovation Award.
The two awards reflect the community’s recognition and appreciation for the outstanding work PCC provides to the 417-area. And we want to say thank you for your support. Without the support of our donors and volunteers, PCC wouldn’t exist.
“PCC is 95% community funded which means without a community of supporters we couldn’t exist. This award belongs to the amazing and dedicated staff, volunteers, and donors that every day coach clients, provide ultrasounds, clean facilities, write checks, facilitate classes, and continually cover our work in prayer. We think this award reflects our community’s constantly deepening passion to serve men and women facing some of life’s most difficult situations. Thank you. Together we are saving lives and strengthening families.”
Lisa McIntire, PCC Executive Director
© Copyright 2019
