A little more than a decade after Roe v. Wade in which the Supreme Court decision overturned a Texas interpretation of abortion law and made abortion legal in the United States, a handful of concerned people came together with a desire to help women and teens facing abortion decisions. In 1985 they gathered and began discussing ways to share the truth about the sanctity of human life and expose the lie of abortion.
They decided that the best way to serve our community was to affiliate with the Christian Action Council that was assisting local, grassroots centers opening up all across the country. In 1986 the Nevada County Crisis Pregnancy Center (NCCPC) opened its doors offering free counseling and pregnancy tests.
1991 NCCPC knew that more comprehensive education was needed and could be beneficial to those caught in the turmoil of an unintended pregnancy; the solution was to offer a glimpse into the womb to see and hear the precious life within, exposing the lie that the baby was “only a blob of tissue.” NCCPC transformed into a licensed primary care facility with the State of California Department of Health and changed our name to LivingWell Medical Clinic. A medical director and nurse manager were added to the team to oversee the medical services. An ultrasound system was purchased and healthcare professionals began offering their services to perform ultrasound exams.
During the mid-90s we opened LivingWell Thrift Store on Henderson Street. Not too long after, we moved the store to its present location on the corner of Empire Street and Whiting Street in Grass Valley. The store serves two purposes; first, to provide material support for women, teens, and their children in need; second, to generate funds to support the services offered at the center/clinic.
During a NIFLA (National Institute of Family Life and Advocates, formerly known as Christian Action Council) sponsored conference the fall of 2007, a clear vision of our future was imparted to our attending staff. A new ultrasound system was desperately needed, and we needed to offer ultrasound exams more frequently. A new system was in place within months and our healthcare professionals agreed to volunteer more hours. Our goal was to move from offering exams once every two weeks to every hour the clinic doors are open. Today, we offer exams 16-20 hours each week. Two new registered nurses are scheduled for sonographer training this September. When their training is complete, we anticipate exams will be offered the remaining 12-16 hours, achieving our goal.
Abstinence Education for schools began in 2008. We have had the privilege of presenting Sex Health Education to students at Nevada Union High School, Bear River High School, Colfax High School, Lyman Gilmore Junior High School, and Mt. St. Mary’s High School. We have also taken our presentation to church youth groups and juvenile hall detainees.
Throughout the years many passionate individuals have contributed to the successes of who we have become today. We are grateful for those who have gone before us and we pray those who will follow.
Updated July 2010
