LPHS Supports Local Families
August 19, 2019
Warm and inviting, the lobby area of Lighthouse Pregnancy and Health Services is a calming entryway. Women who walk through the doors are greeted by a comfortable setting reminiscent of a family home.
In a softly lit recess a plethora of pamphlets for parenting programs greet the eye. They provide the first glimpse of what is possible for expectant mothers and struggling families.
“Our goal is to inspire change by providing the support families need,” shares Tamela Polanin, Executive Director of the nonprofit organization. “Many times our first contact is with a woman or family in crisis. They are here because they are not sure where else to turn or the court has mandated they seek assistance. We want them to know this is a safe space, where questions asked can lead to informed decisions and the best possible start in life for the children involved.”
Polanin, who accepted the role of Executive Director in 2013, was a counselor for SAFE prior to joining LPHS, giving her a strong background of experience working with women and teens. To go along with her passion for helping families, she also holds a licensed in clinical professional counseling and master’s degree in mental health counseling as well as a bachelor’s degree in social work.
Started in 2002 when the teen pregnancy rate in Fayette County was nearly 20%, second only to Cook County in the state of Illinois, Lighthouse Pregnancy and Health Services grew out of the concerns shared by members in several area churches.
Today the organization has grown to providing medical services and to help parents tackle the unique challenges faced by families in our area.
“We are a faith-based center, and we never lose sight of that, but we don’t push that on anyone. Our approach is to provide non-judgmental counseling and advocacy that helps families connect with the services and resources they need most.”
Free pregnancy tests, life-affirming ultrasounds, STD testing, professional counseling for those struggling with reproductive loss, parenting and prenatal education classes, information on parenting and adoption as well as medical and social service referrals are among those services the nonprofit faithfully provides. In addition, the organization offers material assistance for parents and their children.
“Parents are invited to visit our Baby Boutique,” explains Polanin. “Eventually, the work they put into our parenting programs becomes the car seat, crib, diapers, blankets, formula, and other items that their children need.”
Lighthouse Pregnancy and Health Services doesn’t just assist expectant mothers and fathers through prenatal, childbirth education, and parenting classes though, they also offer pregnancy loss and early infant death peer counseling as well as post-abortion support.
The nonprofit also provides abstinence and sexual risk avoidance education for all of Fayette County’s 1,400 students. The impact can be seen in today’s teen pregnancy rate for the county, which has fallen dramatically to only 2%.
“Our goal is for people to make informed decisions,” clarifies Polanin. We present all alternatives, but we explain that with some choices there are more risks.”
In a recent blog post on their website, LPHS recently shared some big, scary exciting news of their own.
“We applied for a grant for a Mobile Medical Unit (MMU),” writes Polanin, “And we were offered $75,000 toward its purchase from Save the Storks!”
The mobile unit would allow LPHS to bring their free testing and ultrasounds to each town in Fayette County as well as service nearby Greenville University in Bond County.
The news comes with a caveat: In order to secure the grant, LPHS needs to lock in the funding with $10,000 in matching funding by September 1, 2019. Afterward, the nonprofit would also be responsible for raising an additional $65,000 to actually receive the MMU, which will cost a total of $150,000.
The exciting venture comes on the heels of the organization fundraising $19,000 recently for a desperately needed roof repair project, which will eliminate leaking through the removal of their chimney, assist with much-needed repair of their air conditioning and furnace units, and add both a handicap accessible entrance and new reproductive loss counseling room for group meetings.
“Many, many young girls are not able to get to our office here in Vandalia,” confides Polanin. “They don’t have transportation and yet they need help. It’s heartbreaking.”
Similarly, Greenville does not have a pregnancy resource center providing the services that LPHS does. The proposed MMU would considerably extend the reach of the nonprofit’s life-saving, transformational programs.
Sitting within the conference room, where soon the organization’s board will meet to discuss these future plans, Polanin speaks reassuringly.
“Everyone is welcome here. We want our doors to be open to the mother who hasn’t made her choice yet and to the struggling family looking for options to improve their life. And for those who can’t make the journey to us, we want to bring hope to them.”
Among the organization’s fundraising initiatives for the project is its annual 5k/Walk for Life, which will be held this year on September 28, 2019 at Deken Park in St. Elmo.
With an event goal of $5,000 looming to help defray the costs of the MMU, each 5k/Walk for life participant is encouraged to fund raise and businesses are invited to sponsor participating teams.
LPHS’s banquet will also be held on March 26, 2020; however, this annual fundraising effort will not be held in time to impact the immediate financial need for the MMU. Direct donations for the Mobile Medical Unit’s purchase can be made here.
The nonprofit is also seeking donations of two large 32”+ televisions, modern couches and sectionals, and decor for the new reproductive loss counseling room.
"We have been blessed that individuals in the community understand our desire to compassionately guide and support women and teens facing unplanned pregnancies and support our mission to save the lives of children and transform at-risk families,” shares Polanin. “Tax-deductible gifts open up new possibilities, so we can “Do it again tomorrow.”