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Birth Choice Has 11 Centers in State Formal education is not a requirement to be a volunteer or a member of the staff for Birth Choice. The only requirement is love- for God, women and the unborn. And no doubt, there are more than a few men living in this world today who are raising families of their own thanks to the love, understanding and compassion shown by Birth Choice. Birth Choice operates five centers in the Oklahoma City area which includes Bethany, Edmond, Mustang, Norman and south Oklahoma City. There are six more Birth Choice centers with locations in El Reno, Guthrie, Lawton, Nowata, Ponca City and Stillwater. Two national affiliates are operating in Montana and Oregon. Birth Choice also operates Rose Home, a shelter for homeless pregnant women. Two women, Barbara Chishko, the executive director and Ruth Blakley, assistant director, have been with the organization since it was founded on March 5, 1973. Jan O’Neill has been with Birth Choice almost as long. She said the reason people volunteer is because they love. It’s just that simple. And often that’s what makes it so difficult. Volunteers have had to work with women from every walk of life and economic background. They’re scared and confused. They need someone they can count on. Too often, however, Birth Choice doesn’t deal with women, many times young girls, some as young as 10 and 11 find themselves standing in the Birth Choice office. Recently an 11 year-old girl was found to be eight months pregnant. The youngster did not even realize she was pregnant. “We didn’t really have any “formal” preparation, just an intense love of God, women and the unborn," O’Neill said. “God gives us the necessary tools to face each situation as it arises. He sends us the right people to volunteer or serve on our Board of Directors and He sends each woman to the volunteer best suited to meet her needs. We are in awe of His hand in everything and are daily witnesses to His miracles and how much He loves us.” Birth Choice Centers in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
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