PARIS TN: The future is now for remodeled Tomorrow’s Hope – Paris Post Intelligencer

When the Tomorrows Hope organization began 18 years ago in Paris, the leaders of the group perhaps could only have hoped that one day their dream would have reached the size it has.

Begun as a non-profit organization aimed at counseling pregnant teens, the organization has mushroomed through the years into a virtual full-service counseling center that even provides certain medical services.

Now known as Tomorrows Hope Pregnancy Medical Clinic, the group recently remodeled its offices at 211 N. Brewer St. An open house is planned so the public may see all the improvements from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. June 28.

The center has been located at its current site since 2003, when it moved from West Blythe Street. In 2006, Tomorrows Hope, which had been using only part of the Brewer Street building, took over the entire building when the local Salvation Army chapter moved out. Then, last year, the center received a significant boost it was given ownership of the building. (Tomorrows Hope had previously been leasing the space.)

Cheryl Conner, executive director, said the center now has about 4,000 square feet, which is finally enough to meet the centers needs.

The center now has a medical director based in Hopkinsville, Ky., who communicates with the staff here to handle cases. There is an ultrasound stenographer on staff.

While pregnancies, especially teen pregnancies, are still a big focus of the center, Conner and Wayne Clark, administrative assistant/financial secretary, said there may be a misconception among the public that pregnancies are all the center handles.

Actually, the center provides anger management classes, parenting classes that are usually prescribed by the court system, and personal, pre-marital and marital counseling.

Conner said the center served about 2,800 clients in the last year. Some quick math shows you thats about 235 a month.

The center has five full-time employees and about 30 regular volunteers who help out.

Conner described the center as offering religious-based counseling, but its non-denominational in nature. Most clients are referrals from the court system, doctors, the Department of Childrens Services, the Department of Human Services and local churches, but people who are interested in services without having a referral are also welcome.

EXPANDING TO OTHER COUNTIES

The center has grown so much that there is now a Tomorrows Hope in McKenzie and one in Camden. Conner said each of those have their own board of directors, but operate under the same umbrella as the Tomorrows Hope in Paris.

Our next goal is to open one in Stewart County, she said.

The center also operates a thrift store. Its located at 407 N. Market St.

Weve got a good donor base, Conner said, pointing out that she sometimes picks up donors through speeches at churches, appearances at civic organization meetings and by setting up booths at various local venues.

Clark said the two main fundraisers for the center are a duathlon, which is scheduled for this weekend, and a banquet in September.

The much-needed remodeling included placement of a new sign on the front of the building and removal of several windows that had been placed along the front.

There were three large rooms added, Conner said, using space that wasnt being used except for storage. The ceilings in the building were lowered, and carpet and linoleum tile were replaced by new ceramic tile.

Other work included reworking of the heating/air conditioning system and enlarging the ultrasound room, which basically doubled in size.

Since the remodeling, there is a new bathroom for clients, parenting classes now have their own room and the board of directors has its own meeting room.

The center has four counseling rooms available now. Clark said that means as many as six clients could receive counseling at the same time, because Conners office and Clarks office may also be used for counseling.

The center is open from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays and from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays Fridays. Its closed on weekends.

The center can be reached by calling 642-0600.

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PARIS TN: The future is now for remodeled Tomorrow's Hope - Paris Post Intelligencer