Birthright of Nevada

Hours and location:

Birthright of Nevada is located at 231 North Cedar. Office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Local organization founded: (when and where by whom)

Birthright of Nevada was established in the early 1980s. The local center, which also operated under the name Pregnancy Help, closed several years ago when the acting director moved from the area. About two years ago, several individuals, led by Rachel Middendorf, began to explore the possibility of re-establishing a Birthright center in Nevada. The new Birthright center opened its doors on May 6, 2013.

Purpose/mission of organization:

Birthright believes in the right of every woman to give birth to her child and the right of every child to be born.

Birthright is an interdenominational emergency pregnancy service for any girl or woman, regardless of age, creed, marital or economic status, who finds herself in an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy. All services are free and confidential.

Current staff/board members:

Birthright is guided by a board of directors consisting of local individuals committed to providing emergency pregnancy services to the women of Nevada and Vernon County. The current board members are Ruth Ann Painter, president; Krista Hope, vice president; Angela Hedges, secretary; Colleen Haberkorn, treasurer; Mark Mitchell, board member; and Barbara Long, board member. The day-to-day operations of the center are handled by the director, Rachel Middendorf.

Main fundraising activities:

Boomerang Bottle Campaign, in which church community members are asked to take home a small plastic baby bottle, add their loose change, and return it after a short 3-4 week period. We also conduct a drawing to give away a handmade Christmas quilt and receive United Way funding. Birthright has been approved to receive funds again from United Way for the coming year.

Who does the organization serves/who it helps and how:

Birthright serves any girl or woman who finds herself in an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy. Services offered are free and confidential pregnancy testing and non-judgmental, one-on-one counseling by trained volunteers. Approximately 12 volunteers have completed training and are serving the center in some capacity.

Those interested in being a volunteer can contact Rachel Middendorf through the center's number, 417-448-1771. The center also accepts donations of layette items, diapers and baby wipes, and new and gently used baby clothes as an additional service to the new mothers.

Anything else noteworthy that you'd like to share or something the public doesn't know:

We recently received word that Birthright of Nevada has been designated by the state of Missouri as a qualifying Pregnancy Resource Center, and as such, the center is eligible for grant money that provides tax credits to donors. Donors who contribute $100 or more to the center are eligible for a 50 percent tax credit. Potential donors may contact Birthright for additional information.

Contact for more information: Ruth Ann Painter, board of directors, 417-684-2043 (day) 417-667-6737(evening); Rachel Middendorf, center director, 417-321-9346.