Options Care Centre

122 York Street
 
George, Western Cape
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ABOUT US

Welcome to Options Care Centre

You may have connected with us because you are concerned that you or your partner may be pregnant. We are here to help you and we’re glad that you have found our website. For further information follow the “Pregnancy” link or contact us.

If you would like information about HIV/AIDS or you are concerned that you need to be tested for the HI virus, please look at the link called “HIV.” You may already know your status; we would love for you to connect with us for additional information and support. You can do this by going to the “Contact” link.

Options Care Centre’s passion is people and by browsing through our website, we hope that you’ll get a feel for how we are impacting the community of George and the surrounding areas. Whether you live near or far we’d love for you to consider how you can also be involved with us in making a difference!

YOUTH FOR CHRIST is an international non-denominational organisation that reaches out to youth all over the world. Options Care Centre is a project of YFC in George and other local projects include Kidstop and the Schools Team that uses the GOLD peer education model of impacting teenagers.

YFC Options Care Centre focuses on reaching out to people in our community who are facing a pregnancy or HIV crisis. Through testing, counselling and support we are concerned for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the people we connect with. All our services are free of charge and we also have a number of projects that support our core vision of counselling.

OUR VISION

The vision of YFC Options is to impact and develop youth and families who face pregnancy and HIV related crises.

OUR MISSION

The mission of YFC Options is to impact and develop healthy youth and families by providing information and support to those facing pregnancy and HIV related crises, empowering them spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally..

OUR TEAM

Currently Options Care Centre has 8 staff and approximately 35 volunteers who carry the passion and are involved in the mission of Options. The YFC Board oversees Options and ensures good financial accountability and practices.

SERVICES

Amacici

AMACICI means “The Earrings” in Xhosa. As part of one of the Support Groups, this project of making beaded jewelry creates income and develops skills for the group’s members. Earrings, bracelets, and necklaces are available for sale at Options and special orders are welcome by going to the “Contact” link and asking for someone connected with Amacici.

Support groups

SUPPORT GROUPS create an environment where members support each other emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically. One of the long term goals is to equip members to establish their own support groups in different communities.

The teen moms

The TEEN MOMS YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CLUB meets weekly to empower teenagers to be good moms, providing creative programmes focused on their needs as both teenagers and moms.

Here two of our teen moms share their stories (with their permission)

My name is Lisinda and I’m a teen mom. I fell pregnant at the age of 14 and for me it was a huge shock, not only for me but the people who looked up to me. The first thing on my mind was to have an abortion just to get this “thing” out of my stomach. I ended the relationship with my baby’s father because he was a Casanova and I knew that I was not the only one he was with.

I heard of Options at school and I saw the posters. I never knew that counselling can have such a huge impact but it did. My counsellor told me all of the facts. I accepted the baby and kept going to school. My teachers accepted it and have supported me and Options has supported me as well.

I gave birth to my son and I love him more than anything. Options supports me with clothes and toiletries and I’m in the Teen Moms Club where I learn a lot of things. I’m doing well at school and next year I will be in matric. My dream for the future is to become a teacher and I want to play the role in others’ lives that my teachers played in mine. With God and Options I can smile at a storm… and I also believe in abstinence!

My name is Prudence and I’m 17 years old. I grew up in a family of intellectuals and it has always been expected for me to do well in everything I do. I was pregnant in grade 9 at the age of 13 years. It was a shock to my parents when they found out I was pregnant but they accepted me. There was a feeling inside of me that I’m not going for an abortion because God is there for me and He will answer for me.

The Grace Network

The GRACE NETWORK’s mission is to assist local churches in establishing support groups for single parents where the need is evident. The Grace Network strives to build healthy single parent families,helping groups empower mothers through small group meetings,workshops, capacity building seminars, and social events for parents and their children. Workshops have focused on HIV/AIDS, financial management, building healthy relationships and spiritual growth.

Isipho

ISIPHO, meaning “gift” in Xhosa, is a project that started with the gift of a large amount of knitted fabric. Initially starting with a focus on sewing skills, Isipho assists people with an opportunity to learn and to create. The desired outcome is that the skills will help people create income for themselves and their families.

Options schools outreach ministry

Options SCHOOLS OUTREACH MINISTRY consists of volunteers and staff whose passion is to impact the lives of youth. Our aim is to empower them with relevant knowledge and information through coaching, life skills, training, and mentoring on issues such as abstinence, self-worth, and integrity. The outcome is that they will grow and develop, overcome difficult circumstances, pursue their God-given purpose, and achieve their full potential.

Men2Men

Options’ Men 2 Men reaches men in crisis through counselling and support. A group of young men meet weekly for “The Game Plan” to encourage them to take responsibility and discover their true identities, which enable them to approach their situations differently. Options’ men assist young guys to make positive, informed decisions about fatherhood and the responsibilities that surround it. Our Men 2 Men outreach aims to provide mentoring relationships that encourage growth and maturity.

Pregnancy - “Pregnant?"

You may be facing a great personal crisis because of the possibility or the awareness of an unplanned pregnancy. You don’t have to face it alone. Regardless of your circumstances, we are here to help you and we offer a variety of services to assist you. Everything is confidential and all of our services are free of charge.

Firstly, have you (or your partner if you are a guy reading this) perhaps had a positive pregnancy test? Symptoms of pregnancy include the following:

  • Menstrual period is a week or more late
  • Breast swelling and/or tenderness
  • Nausea with a loss of appetite and possible vomiting
  • Feeling tired and sluggish
  • Bloating of the abdomen
  • Frequent urination

Options offers free pregnancy tests and you are welcome to come in to meet with a trained lay counsellor who will assist you with this.

If the test is positive and you are unhappy, it is important to take the time to get information about your pregnancy and to look at the pressures and choices you may be facing. Even though the thought of talking to someone may feel overwhelming, we’d like to encourage you (and your partner) to come to Options to talk.

Pregnancy – “Support”

At this point, all of the options you are thinking probably seem difficult.

The option of parenting (with or without your partner) is a very significant decision and requires information and support. Sometimes people make a short term plan to get help until they can take full responsibility at a later stage. This can be done formally (through foster care) or informally within your family or network of support.

Choosing to carry your pregnancy and be a parent is a decision that will require medical care and some good support. It will also be important to talk with people you are close to in order to begin developing this network of support. Telling people about your pregnancy may be one of your first challenges and Options can help you think through how to do this. Getting medical care is essential for the health of the mother and the unborn child. Options can also offer the following:

Counselling and emotional support for both of the parents

A course of three Ante-Natal Classes to equip parents for birth, offered both during the day and in the early evening. Classes on Fridays are free of charge and early evening classes are R20 per session and may include both partners.

Ultra-Sound confirmation to sneak a preview of what is happening inside the womb

Pantry (baby clothing, toiletries and equipment) and “Learn to Earn” for ongoing practical support

Breast feeding help in the George Hospital (Mom 2 Mom) or at Options

Support Groups

Adoption, or a permanent legal placement of your baby with other parents, is also an option to consider. It is important to meet with a counsellor to find out more information about adoption as it could be an option for you if you can’t see yourself parenting and/or you need to explore all of your options. This way you can make an informed decision in your pregnancy crisis.

Pregnancy – “Abortion?”

If your pregnancy is unplanned, at this stage you may be feeling very scared and uncertain. In fact, all of the options may look difficult. You may feel that you aren’t ready for parenting and that your only option is having an abortion. If you are considering an abortion (terminating your pregnancy) it is important for you to make an informed decision and for you to have answers to some of the following questions:

  • What is an abortion?
  • How are abortions performed?
  • What is actually happening inside the pregnant uterus?
  • What are the possible risks of having an abortion?
  • How could having an abortion impact the future?

Options seeks to provide a loving and caring environment for you to get help. Please call and make an appointment with one of the counsellors. The details are available on the “Contact” link. Abortion, parenting, adoption and other relationship decisions are influenced by the pressures you are facing, both within yourself and also from pressures from others and from your circumstances. You owe it to yourself and to your future to take the time to make a good decision.

Options offers lay counselling and accurate information about your pregnancy options; however the centre does not offer or directly refer for abortion services.

Pregnancy - “Had an abortion?”

Are you struggling with a past abortion decision? The decision to have an abortion is often done during an intense time of crisis. Some people report feelings of relief immediately after an abortion but later experience emotional and spiritual pressures that may be connected with their decision. Both women and men are affected and because it is so difficult to talk about, people feel very alone and don’t know where to turn or how to get help.

Perhaps you are experiencing some of the following:

  • Nightmares and flashbacks
  • Depression
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Guilt feelings
  • Anger
  • Avoidance or isolation
  • Increase of drug or alcohol use
  • Low self-esteem
  • Self-abuse
  • Struggle in relationships
  • Sleep, appetite and sexual disturbances
  • Fertility concerns
  • Spiritual struggle

Options offers abortion recovery through one to one appointments and confidential small group weekend retreats. Please contact us and ask to connect with Zelda who leads the Post Abortion Recovery department of Options. Your contact with her and with this part of Options is confidential and you don’t have to give your name when calling us.

HIV

HIV, the virus that leads to AIDS, is affecting large numbers of people in Southern Africa including George. Whether you have a lot of knowledge about HIV/AIDS or not, it is important to know your status and to become informed. Having a test may be frightening but it is a positive step forward and we would encourage you to decide to go for it. Individuals or couples are invited to make an appointment for VCT (Voluntary Counselling and Testing). At Options, the process of meeting with a trained counsellor is confidential and takes about an hour. The test itself is a rapid test and the results are presented to you within the hour of your appointment.

Are you at risk? The HI virus is spread from person to person through:

  • Sexual contact with an infected person
  • Contact between infected blood or body fluids and an open wound, sharing needles, or a needle prick
  • Mother to Child during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding

The VCT appointment will be the opportunity for you to ask important questions and to discuss difficult issues. Not only does VCT help you know your status but is a good time to stop, evaluate and plan for the future.

Through Options, you will also have immediate support from your counsellor if your test is positive.

Options has several Support Groups meeting weekly for people who are HIV+. Your counsellor will be available for ongoing counselling and will link you with other local resources and medical services when needed. Other resources within Options are also available.

Options offers HIV testing Monday – Thursdays from 9 am – 4pm or by special appointment.

Recently Mpho and Desiree Monare, who are both on staff with Youth for Christ, decided to test at Options. Their pictures are here with permission to give you an idea of the process. Your visit would be fully confidential

Interested in volunteering or getting involved with YFC Options Care Centre?

We offer a range of courses throughout the yearthat will equip you to become part of the Options team:

Level One: The aim of the Level One course is to provide individuals with a basic introduction to a Crisis Pregnancy and HIV Care Centre ministry.

Level Two (Equipped to Serve): This course empowers individuals with the understanding and skills that enable them to minister to people facing HIV and pregnancy crises.

HIV course: This course provides delegates with vital information surrounding HIV / AIDS, which enable them to support people who live with HIV / AIDS.

Sexual Integrity Course: This course is designed to educate individuals about their sexuality, healthy relationships, marriage and wholeness, emotionally and spiritually with a focus on abstinence.

Donate

As an organisation, Options relies on all kinds of donations so that we can reach our vision and mission. We appreciate all of our donors who give of their resources on our behalf!

MONEY pays our rent, staff salaries, and project costs…not to mention the boxes of tissues and cups of coffee that are needed in reaching people in crisis. Our greatest need currently is financial support. There are a number of options for doing this.

Banking Details

Account name: Youth for Christ Options George

FNB Branch 210114

Account number 522 910 84 195

Swift: FIR NZ AJJ

Donations of “STUFF” is always welcome! The Pantry focuses on baby clothes and toiletries, other clothing (for men, women, teenagers, and children), and food. Office stationery and household types of supplies are always welcome.

For those who live in South Africa, a MY VILLAGE CARD will help you donate to Youth for Christ in George, of which some of the money will go to Options. By using the card when you make purchases a certain stores, a percentage of your sale gets donated to us. It’s really fun that your shopping can benefit us and doesn’t cost you anything except the extra minutes it takes to sign up for and use your card.

DOCUMENTS

Amacici1
18 May 17
Amacici2
18 May 17

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