(Northwest Arkansas) Loving Choices Pregnancy Center of NWA announced the expansion of its (Sexually Transmitted Disease) or STD testing program by adding two major tests: Trichomoniasis and Genital Herpes. In December of 2009, Loving Choices was awarded a $49,756 grant from the Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas.
Covered under the grant funding includes testing, lab processing and medication for treatment of these two diseases for up to 500 at-risk women in Benton and Washington Counties. Loving Choices currently test for four of the major STD’s: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis and HIV/AIDS. Since the inception of Loving Choices’ STD program began at Loving Choices in June of 2009 the center has tested 101 clients.
“We have the supplies, training and support needed to launch the program and today we begin. This is an exciting new addition to the ministry. We are honored to be the only location in Northwest Arkansas to offer these services free of charge to the community,” said Caroline Rhoads, Executive Director of Loving Choices.
Loving Choices’ mission is to provide outstanding counseling and limited medical services to any woman who may find herself experiencing a reproductive health crisis, whether it is an unplanned pregnancy or a sexually transmitted disease. Loving Choices gives unconditional care to preserve and protect human life to enable our clients to find hope.
All Loving Choices services are free and confidential. These include: pregnancy tests, limited obstetrical ultrasound, options counseling, post-abortion counseling, parenting and childbirth classes and a long term mentoring program.
For information on services or volunteer opportunities contact Loving Choices at the Fayetteville center at (479) 521-6677 or the Rogers center at (479) 631-6677. Check out Loving Choices on the web at www.SupportLC.org or visit our client site at www.lovingchoices.org.