Living Alternatives offers comprehensive pregnancy and grief support in Pekin

PEKIN–Living Alternatives, at 3223 Griffin Ave., offers support to women in all stages of pregnancy, including loss.

“We exist for any woman who needs help and support,” says Angie Payton, director of the Pekin office of Living Alternatives. “We exist to help people have their families.”

The organization was started in Springfield and has since expanded to 12 centers throughout Illinois and Indiana, offering multiple programs.

One unique offering is the perinatal grief program known as Willow Story, with Paula Scott as director of the program in all 12 locations. Willow Story helps clients process a concerning prenatal diagnosis through mentoring, referral to specialists for second opinions, and coordination of doctors’ appointments. The program also offers support during neonatal intensive care unit stays and for up to a year after mother and baby go home.

Walking with families through loss

Women will often come to Living Alternatives following a miscarriage, stillbirth, early infant loss, or an ectopic pregnancy. Once contact is made with Living Alternatives following a loss, they connect with the client for a year, helping them to process their grief, including helping with funeral arrangements if needed. 

The center offers classes in coping with grief for both men and women. Part of the year-long support that Living Alternatives gives is walking through each anniversary and holiday with them. These events prove difficult in the first year, and Living Alternatives is there to walk with them through it all. 

Medical and pregnancy support services offered

Initially, Living Alternatives was a crisis pregnancy center, but “we aren’t just for crisis situations,” says Payton, so the name was changed. Instead, they offer support for some of the most basic things, such as pregnancy tests to determine if the client is indeed pregnant. One of their phrases is, “We’re your next step,” Payton says, adding that “In some cases we’re their first step.”

Pekin is considered an obstetrics and gynecology “desert,” with few providers in the immediate area, so many women are coming for a scan as early as 6 weeks into the pregnancy when most doctors’ offices don’t provide that until at least 8-10 weeks. In the scan, they are looking to confirm gestation, a viable pregnancy, and a heartbeat. The scans are sent to doctors who volunteer their time to Living Alternatives. 

Building a support system for families

Besides medical help, Living Alternatives also provides parenting classes every week. Clients are able to get diapers and wipes and earn points for other items, such as a car seat or crib. Points are awarded for activities such as attending classes on time, going to church, keeping a doctor’s appointment, bringing a support person to group sessions, or completing homework.

“There is so much that we have to offer, which is kind of like the living alternatives part, because more often than not, families will choose to keep the pregnancy regardless of the outcome if they have support,” Payton says. “We are here for that support system.” 

For women who choose adoption for their baby, Living Alternatives helps develop an adoption plan and connect with a licensed agency. 

While Living Alternatives does not offer abortions, it does provide post-abortion mentoring, curriculum, and retreats. Deeper Still is a three-day retreat where clients spend focused time in the company of others with similar stories and experiences for a Christ-centered time of healing and encouragement.

Additional services offered include Curbside Care day, where both clients and nonclients can come once a month and get diapers, wipes, formula, and baby food. 

“Whatever we have on Curbside Care day, we try and give it out to the community as best as we can,” Payton says. 

The result has been stories of people being able to put gas in their car or get groceries because they didn’t have to buy diapers or formula. 

“If that’s how we can help people, then that’s what we’re here for,” Payton says.

Residential programs available

Living Alternatives also has three residential programs to offer to women and their babies.

Merci’s Refuge started in 2016 for women in crisis situations and is able to house up to 12 women, offering counseling and trauma help for eight to 12 months. 

Birchwood Apartments was started in 2022 after Olivet Nazarene College donated four apartments that are available for women and their children in a time when they are trying to save money and get back on their feet. The average length of stay is nine months. 

The newest program is Magnolia House in Champaign for younger moms ages 18-25. Magnolia House can house up to four people with a stay of up to 12 months. 

The work is heavy, and the staff and volunteers rely on lots of prayer and retreats to regroup and encourage one another in the work they feel called to. 

“In the end, we are trying to reach people for Jesus,” Payton says. Christianity is never pushed on clients but is always offered. Even if someone doesn’t claim Christ, they will still accept offers by staff to be prayed for. “We love these clients, and we love their babies,” Payton said.

How the community can help

Despite all they are able to accomplish, the nonprofit has more yet to do. The Pekin location is only open three days a week, but they’d love to be open all week long. They’d also like to be able to offer their classes every day as well as expand onsite medical services and open a second ultrasound room. 

This all takes money and volunteers. Those interested in donating or volunteering can find more information and sign up online.