Last year, Abba’s House assisted nearly 200 Fremont County residents with pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, parenting classes, STI/STD testing, treatment, referrals, education, newborn supplies, and much more.
“We help a huge coverage area, from Dubois and the Wind River Reservation, Riverton and Lander, to Shoshoni and even Thermopolis,” said Leilani Schrock, CEO of Abba’s House in Riverton.
Schrock and her staff admit they are already very busy, they had 536 client visits in 2018. But, they’d like to be even busier in the years ahead.
“We have so many people who do not have reliable transportation, who have no idea how to get to our clinic, who are afraid to come into the clinic,” Schrock said. “Having a mobile unit would help us get to so many expectant mothers and help assist them in so many ways.”
Abba’s House is working with a group called Save The Storks to obtain a mobile unit (pictured above.) According to Save The Storks the mobile units, “profoundly expand the reach and increase and the impact of pregnancy centers all over the nation. The mobile centers minimize the distance and roadblocks between you and the women who need your services.”
Units will be equipped with technology to do ultrasounds, STD/STI testing, and all-around pregnancy care for expectant and potentially mothers who are in vulnerable situations. For many clients, it’s only because of Abba’s House that expectant mothers are able to obtain basic newborn supplies. Additionally, Schrock said that they help mothers hear their baby’s heartbeat for the first time, or see ultrasound photos for the first time.
The roadblock between Abba’s House getting a mobile unit is of course, financial. After all, the vehicle with state-of-the-art technology isn’t exactly available for used-van prices. Mobile crisis units typically run between $120,000-$130,000.
Save The Storks will be able to help with some financial assistance through a grant, the Knights of Columbus are helping with additional fundraising. But, there are still several more dollars to be raised.
Abba’s House is hosting a pizza party fundraiser this Saturday, April 13th. The event begins at 6:00 p.m. at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church (622 E. Park Ave in Riverton.)
Ticket money and donations will go to the mobile-unit purchase. They are currently on sale for $25 per family or $10 per individual adult. There will be auction items and live music. It’s a kid-friendly event with activities for youngsters, too.
If you’d like to reserve a seat, please call Abba’s House at: 307-856-0999 or for more information, check out their Facebook event page here.
If you’d like to help Abba’s House in other ways, they always accept donations. Monetary donations are great, but so are things like diapers, formula, pregnancy tests, and various newborn supplies.
For more details on Abba’s House and a list of ways to help, click here.