So you think you can throw it, but can you dodge it, too? The Pregnancy Care Center of Aurora plans to test teams’ abilities and raise some cash at the same time.
The center will host its fourth annual dodge ball tournament on March 13, at the Aurora Junior High School, 500 West Olive Street. Darlene Moore, Pregnancy Care Center director, said the goal is to raise $5,000.
The Pregnancy Care Center has been in Aurora for five years and serves as a satellite office of Springfield’s center, which has been open for 10 years.
“We are in the business of saving lives, so women can make better choices for their babies,” Moore said.
Many times when expectant mothers come through the doors, they are looking for help and are scared, she said, adding the center helps those mothers understand their options.
“Ninety-nine percent of mothers choose life when they come in for help,” Moore said. “That’s with no manipulation or scare tactics.”
Moore said the program educates young mothers on the responsibilities of parenthood, which includes maintaining a job. Moore said one goal of the center is to pull young parents out of impoverishment and get them off the welfare program.
The wellness side of things includes nutritional skills. Moore said girls learn how to make healthy meals and how to shop within a budget.
The center’s goal is to help pregnant mothers receive education and wellness during their pregnancy, but the center also helps schools with prevention. Moore said that 15 years ago, only 40 percent of teens chose abstinence, but that percentage is now at 60 with the education programs like those the center provides.
While the center promotes abstinence, its goal also is to keep children in school, even if a young girl gets pregnant. Moore said 75 percent of Hispanic girls drop out if they are pregnant, and 50 percent of Caucasian girls drop out if they are pregnant.
“It costs the community and the schools money if they drop out,” she said. “Our job is to work along side the schools to keep the students in school.”
All the services offered at the Pregnancy Care Center of Aurora are free, Moore said. That’s why the center has fundraisers and accepts donations.
She said like other nonprofit organizations, the center has seen a financial hit during the economic downturn.
“We have life hanging in the balance every day, and our services are hanging in the balance,” Moore said.
The center receives volunteer help for services, including medical, legal, emotional and mental. Moore said the center also works with other area nonprofits to better serve the Aurora community.
The dodge ball tournament costs $60 per six-man team. Each team must have six team members and can have up to 10 members. Each team will play a minimum of eight games. Registration deadline is March 9 and all money must be turned in to the center.
Team members must be in uniform or in costume. All attire must be family appropriate. The center also will provide a “Kiddy Corner” with inflatables, face painting, etc. to help occupy the children.
Admission is a $2 donation or $3 if children want to play in the children’s area during the day. Check-in is 9 a.m., and games begin at 10 a.m. Concessions will be available.
For more information, call Moore or Rebecca at 678-0090.