OROVILLE – Care Net Pregnancy Center, which opened its doors in Okanogan in 1995, now has a center in Oroville open Mondays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The center offers a variety of free and confidential services including free pregnancy testing and letting women know their options if they are pregnant.

“Care Net provides truthful information about parenting, abortion and adoption,” says their pamphlet “Pregnant and Scared.”

Care Net also offers education on STDs and abstinence, as well as providing post abortion peer counseling and education.

“We can help women and men emotionally recover from abortion,” said Angel Ross with the Oroville office. “(We also) teach abstinence to local middle schools and high schools.”

According to Ross, the Oroville center was opened after local resident Pat Kee asked if Care Net would consider having a center in Oroville because it was so far to travel to Okanogan for the local people. The Oroville Free Methodist Church originally offered the use of the Youth Activity Center (YAC) until they found their new location.

“We would like to have a medical clinic where we would offer free ultra-sounds and have STD/STI testing,” said Ross.

Another program that Care Net offers is “Earn While You Learn.” The program offers a way for parents to provide for their baby’s needs by earning “Mommy Money.” Credits are awarded for working with a parenting instructor and following a lesson plan. These can be used to purchase things like maternity and baby clothes, blankets, diapers, formula and other much needed supplies.

The new Oroville center, located at 808 Central, held their grand opening on Saturday, May 10. To reach someone at the center call (509) 476-0181.