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Care Net moves after 20 years PRO-WOMEN: Care Net provides free, confidential support for women who are in unplanned pregnancies, as well as information, referrals for material assistance and peer counseling. NEWARK - Fourteen years ago, she walked into the crisis pregnancy center with an unplanned pregnancy. 'I needed someone to help me stand on my conviction not to have an abortion,' said Ann Higbee, now executive director of Care Net, an affiliate of Care Net International and non-profit organization funded by private and business donors. Began in 1988 as a reaction to a rise in unplanned pregnancies in Wayne County, Care Net, known early on as Study the Options Please, Inc., or STOP, was directed by Dee Skelton in Palmyra for 20 years. 'She listened and let me feel and say what I had to,' Higbee said. 'When I was done, she cared for me anyway and connected me with resources that would help me stand and keep my baby, indicating I could come to the center and talk and cry whenever I needed.' Higbee's daughter was born in August 1996. 'Care Net was a major support in my life,' said the director. 'Previous to coming, I had one abortion. Dee was my counselor. When I came to Care Net to talk, I started doing things that needed to be done, like stuffing envelopes.' Soon Higbee was a regular volunteer. Recently, Higbee worked as assistant to the director, stepping in as Care Net's second director, when Skelton retired after 20 years. Care Net moved in July and received its first client Aug. 3 at its new location at 184 E. Union St. in Newark, where an open house was held Friday, Oct. 23. 'Newark is the hub of Wayne County,' Higbee said. 'It's centrally located. Not only do people from Savannah and North Rose feel comfortable coming to Newark, but people from Macedon don't have a problem coming here. The new site will allow us to see more clients and help more people.' Services offered are free of charge and confidential at Care Net, an agency that is 'pro-women.' 'When women who are in unplanned pregnancies walk in, we want to make sure they are well informed' about their options, 'before they walk out,' the director said. 'There is also a spiritual side.' A free pregnancy test and support through peer counselors is offered, as is information about pregnancy and referrals for material assistance, as well as for adoption. Although information about abortion, the various types, side effect and risks is dispensed, no referrals for an abortion are given by the agency. Post abortion support is offered. 'We are here to inform and help a woman in an unplanned pregnancy,' said Higbee. 'We respect her choice, even though we don't necessarily agree with it.' CareNet at 184 E. Union St. in Newark is open Mon. & Tues. 10 a.m.-noon and Thursday and Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more info. call 573-7833 or e-mail carenetwc@rochester.rr.com. Other area Care Net affiliates are Care Net Canandaigua at 120 N. Main St. and Embracing Options at 342 Arnett Blvd. in Rochester.
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