News
Aug 15 2007
Coburn Helps Open Pregnancy Center
NORMAN -- The chief mission of a new Care Net center in this university community is to help pregnant women in need, even if they end up having abortions, U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn said Tuesday.
"Anybody can get help," he said. "We're going to help you walk through this."
Speaking at the opening of the center -- the first full-fledged Care Net center in the state -- Coburn, R-Okla., said some women who have had abortions still receive counseling through Care Net.
According to its Web site, Care Net is the largest network of pregnancy centers in North America, with 1,100 centers serving more than 350,000 women each year.
The group works primarily with Christian groups that have the goal of helping pregnant women in need.
A somewhat nervous JeNae James of Tulsa told her story to others at the center's opening, while her 6-month-old daughter, Avery, sat on Coburn's lap.
James, a University of Oklahoma student, said she went to a health center to get a test, which confirmed her pregnancy.
"A nurse handed me two cards," she said, one for an abortion clinic in Norman and the other for Care Net.
James said she told her boss, who took the Care Net card and made an appointment for her.
There, she talked to a counselor for two hours or more and decided that it could be possible for her to have a baby after all.
She's been able to continue as a full-time student with a full-time job and has hopes of graduating from OU in May.
Although James has chosen not to marry the baby's father, his parents have helped by keeping the child on weekends so she can keep up with the demands of her job and school.
Crystal Drwenski, Care Net's interim executive director, told the audience of supporters that she had a baby seven years ago but gave it up for adoption.
"Now I have a wonderful 7-year-old who is adopted and has an amazing life," said Drwenski, who has kept in contact with the adoptive parents.
Oklahoma House Speaker Lance Cargill, R-Harrah, spoke of the many anti-abortion bills the Legislature has approved in recent years. He said government and faith-based groups should work hand in hand.
Coburn said he differed with Cargill on that issue.
"I don't think we ought to spend a dollar from the government on what the private sector can do," the senator said.
Cargill, R-Harrah, said the government can pass the laws, "but it cannot create the culture so groups like Care Net can operate."
"Anybody can get help," he said. "We're going to help you walk through this."
Speaking at the opening of the center -- the first full-fledged Care Net center in the state -- Coburn, R-Okla., said some women who have had abortions still receive counseling through Care Net.
According to its Web site, Care Net is the largest network of pregnancy centers in North America, with 1,100 centers serving more than 350,000 women each year.
The group works primarily with Christian groups that have the goal of helping pregnant women in need.
A somewhat nervous JeNae James of Tulsa told her story to others at the center's opening, while her 6-month-old daughter, Avery, sat on Coburn's lap.
James, a University of Oklahoma student, said she went to a health center to get a test, which confirmed her pregnancy.
"A nurse handed me two cards," she said, one for an abortion clinic in Norman and the other for Care Net.
James said she told her boss, who took the Care Net card and made an appointment for her.
There, she talked to a counselor for two hours or more and decided that it could be possible for her to have a baby after all.
She's been able to continue as a full-time student with a full-time job and has hopes of graduating from OU in May.
Although James has chosen not to marry the baby's father, his parents have helped by keeping the child on weekends so she can keep up with the demands of her job and school.
Crystal Drwenski, Care Net's interim executive director, told the audience of supporters that she had a baby seven years ago but gave it up for adoption.
"Now I have a wonderful 7-year-old who is adopted and has an amazing life," said Drwenski, who has kept in contact with the adoptive parents.
Oklahoma House Speaker Lance Cargill, R-Harrah, spoke of the many anti-abortion bills the Legislature has approved in recent years. He said government and faith-based groups should work hand in hand.
Coburn said he differed with Cargill on that issue.
"I don't think we ought to spend a dollar from the government on what the private sector can do," the senator said.
Cargill, R-Harrah, said the government can pass the laws, "but it cannot create the culture so groups like Care Net can operate."
