Pregnancy Help Center now open on Macauley Avenue

The Pregnancy Help Center, now of 1800 Macauley Ave., Rice Lake, resumed its services to clients on July 1.

CEO Danielle Hendricks said services had been limited only to urgent needs from the end of May to the end of June to allow for the move and time for the staff to get resettled. She said virtual parenting classes did continue during that time.

Directly to the right inside the front entrance is a Baby Boutique, a room where expectant moms can pick up baby-related supplies of all kinds.

"It's way more brighter and way more managed," Henricks said of the new area. "We're now only putting items out by season."

There is also a more select time for those who have gently-used baby items to contribute, with donation items accepted during regular business hours from the 15th through the 30th of each month. Those dropping off donations still need to check in at the front desk but can park by the door on the north side, where donations are accepted.

At the front left, inside the front entrance, is a welcoming waiting area. Around the periphery of the central administrative area are rooms for storage, intake, client services, a playroom, a nurse manager's office/lab, ultrasound room, rest rooms, conference/classroom, break room, peer counseling space and the CEO's office.

There is also a table with seating and a children's play area in its grassy lot just to the north of the building, an asset like the indoor play area that it did not have before.

Hendricks is grateful for all who volunteered their time and effort in making the move from Main Street to Macauley Avenue.

"We had over 50 volunteers," she said. "We are so grateful to our incredible community. We could not have made the transition so smoothly without the love and care we received."

An open house at its new location will be held in conjunction with its Slice of Life fundraiser on Sunday, Sept. 29, from 1-5 p.m.

The PHC had been located on Main Street for 10 years and before that in the Professional Building on Eau Claire Street for 12 years. This spring it purchased the new site from Randall Therapeutic Services, which moved its staff to the remodeled former school on Ann Street. The new site doubles its square footage of usable space, and its purchase of the adjacent grassy lot allows for future expansion of its medical, pregnancy and parenting services.

The Pregnancy Help Center is open Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is hoping to add evening hours one day a week soon. Unlike at its previous site, there is ample parking.

For more information call 715-736-4357, email info@phcricelake.org or visit its website at PHCricelake.org . A 24-hour crisis line can be reached at 1-800-712-4357.