Helping Expectant Moms Supported Solely By Private Donations, Birthright In Coeur D’Alene Offers Services To Pregnant Women
Birthright was founded in 1968 by Louise Summerhill of Ontario. She foresaw and fulfilled a need for women and girls coping with difficult pregnancies by addressing their immediate needs.
Many Birthright centers are in service throughout the United States, Canada and South Africa. Birthright of Coeur d’Alene opened in 1983 and depends on local community support to function.
Birthright is one of many nonprofit agencies that offers services to the community at little to no cost.
Here is a closer look at Birthright, as explained by Dorothy Benoit, Birthright’s incoming director.
Q. What does your agency do?
A. Birthright provides positive support to anyone experiencing pregnancy. The woman and her baby will be welcomed in loving friendship.
Q. How many paid staff members do you have?
A. None. All of our staff members are volunteer
Q. What kinds of service opportunities exist for volunteers? How any volunteers do you have? How many are needed?
A. Birthright provides training for those who wish to volunteer as office staff, board members or provide ancillary services. We currently have six office volunteers guided by a diverse board of directors. Birthright has a variety of jobs available to those willing to donate their time. For example, office volunteers set aside one day per week to sit in the office and help people as they come in. Other people make blankets or bring in baby clothes. We also have quilters who make quilts for babies. Volunteers are trained to understand that everything is confidential. Birthright does not judge and does not preach. We’re just here to offer friendship and love. We don’t do counseling.
Q. How are you funded? What is your largest fund-raising operation?
A. Our largest portion of funds come from private donations. Organizations such as Cancer Community Charities, churches and local citizens have supported us. Birthright accepts no state or federal funds. We run a tight ship here.
Q. What services do you provide to the community at little to no cost?
A. Birthright provides free and confidential pregnancy tests, educational guidance, temporary shelter homes, community resource information, maternity and infant clothing and referrals for counseling, adoption and health and legal services.
Q. How has your agency grown?
A. The number of visitors to Birthright has shown a steady increase every year as more people become aware of our services. In 1999 alone, we assisted more than 700 people.
Q. How do you predict it will grow in the future?
A. We will have more volunteers available, allowing us to increase our office hours.
Q. What additional services would you provide if you had the funding to do so?
A. We would use additional funds to expand the clothing available to newborns.
Q. What do you see as the largest unmet need of this community?
A. North Idaho has shown itself to be a responsive community when a need is expressed.
Q. How can people contact you if they want to donate money or time or if they need your services?
A. Those seeking our services or those wishing to help may visit our office at 923 Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814 or call us at 664-1390. Birthright also has a 24-hour hotline, (800) 550-4900. Our office hours are Monday and Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; and Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.