by MATTHEW NASH
Sequim Gazette

Care Net, formerly the Crisis Pregnancy Center of Clallam County in Sequim and Port Angeles, recently changed its name to My Choices.

 

Board of directors had mulled over changing its name since fall 2010 before making the decision three weeks ago.

 

River Sussman, My Choices executive director, said there was some confusion about what Care Net meant.

 

“When I spoke with people at club meetings and events, they thought it was an adoption agency, foster care or hospice,” Sussman said.

 

Crisis Pregnancy Center of Clallam County became affiliated with Care Net’s national organization in the early 2000s.

 

Sussman said the relationship with Care Net is like a membership similar to a grocery store where you can use services but not have many restrictions.

 

“We covered most of their criteria anyway,” she said.

 

Care Net doesn’t provide any legal coverage for the agency, but many U.S. crisis pregnancy centers partner with the organization.

 

John Alger, My Choices board chairman, said he and other board members were looking for a name more identifiable with clientele.

 

“Care Net, in itself, is not descriptive of the services we provide,” Alger said.

 

“The mission of the Crisis Pregnancy Center of Clallam County remains the same by providing services to women and men in an unplanned pregnancy situation. In that regard nothing has changed.”

 

My Choices is a pro-life, faith-based and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with five staff and about 20 volunteers between the two facilities.

 

Last year 1,032 clients, some of those repeat visitors, came to the two facilities. Sequim’s office opened in 1997.  Both facilities offer ultrasounds, parenting tools, prenatal support, pregnancy tests, post-abortion counseling and more.

 

Sussman said they are working toward medical accreditation to offer prenatal care.

 

My Choices staff members are walking in the Sequim Irrigation Festival Grand Parade at noon on May 14 as part of their Walk for Life. They invite supporters to go with them.

 

On May 21, they host another Walk for Life event with details to come.

 

My Choices in Sequim, 640 N. Sequim Ave., is open 1-4 p.m. Mondays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays and can be reached at 681-8725.

 

My Choices in Port Angeles, 535 E. Eighth Street, is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and can be reached at 452-3309.

 

Visit www.mychoicesofcc.org for more information.

 

Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.