Open Arms annual gala is Oct. 5
We have highlighted the Open Arms Real Choices Clinic before, some things in the future deserve renewed attention. We met the director, Richard Hawk, who took the reins early last year and has a full plate and exciting plans. We wanted to be filled in about the clinic and what was being planned.
Tell us about your background, family and how your relationship with the clinic began?
I am retired from the Air Force. During much of my time in the service and afterward I’ve been involved in leadership and management in health care. I have a master’s in health-care administration from Baylor University and a doctorate in strategic leadership from Regent University. My wife is from Spokane; we met while I was stationed there as a young man just starting my military commitment. So coming back to the Inland Northwest and family was a goal we’ve had for several years. Serving as director of Open Arms is a ministry that fits our desire to serve the Lord in the lives of people facing tough circumstances.
Tell us what Open Arms Clinic is to folks who are not familiar with it.
Real Choices Clinic is a nonprofit, nondenominational, nonpolitical organization that is committed to providing compassion, information and support to anyone facing the challenge of unintended pregnancy. Clients are served without regard to age, race, income, nationality, religious affiliation, disability or other arbitrary circumstances.
Client information is held in strict and absolute confidence. Client information is only disclosed as required by law and when necessary to protect the client or others against imminent harm. Clients receive accurate information about pregnancy, fetal development, lifestyle issues, and related concerns. We do not offer, recommend or refer for abortions or abortifacients, but we are committed to offering accurate information about abortion procedures and risks. We offer pregnancy testing and ultrasounds at no cost, and we provide counseling to both the mother and father. We make referrals if necessary for support or adoption. We also offer parenting education and support with clothing and other items for baby and mother. All through the services we offer a message of Christ.
You had mentioned a personal connection you and your wife have with unintended pregnancy and adoption. Can you share that?
After we were married, we discovered we couldn’t have children. So we made the decision to adopt and, over time, we adopted four boys. Two were brothers in foster care. We are blessed to have these children in our home and are thankful their mothers chose life for them.
We know there are exciting plans in the works for Open Arms. Can you share those?
We desperately need space and a building! We are now located at 1800 Lincoln Way in a second-story space that is not adequate for us to provide the services we want to provide. We have been given a wonderful 1-acre property on the corner of Prairie Avenue and North Wayne Drive near the Prairie Shopping Center. We are about halfway toward reaching our fundraising goal. Our dream would be to start construction next spring.
If we added to that wish list it would be to have a maternity home for women that needed a place to live until they gave birth. We have taken tours of similar homes around the area, and this is something sorely needed locally.
Every year Open Arms has a gala that brings a message of life to the community, can you tell us about this year’s event?
This year our gala is from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 5 at The Coeur d’Alene Resort. Our keynote speaker is Melissa Ohden, who has an amazing story about being a survivor of an abortion. This is a powerful testimony of God’s grace.
There will be music and sharing about the year past at Open Arms and of course we will be asking the community to support us in the new building. The one thing that has impressed me since being here is how giving and generous the community is. Individual tickets are $60.
If folks want to volunteer, give or just get more information how do they do that?
They can go to our website http://realchoicesclinic.com or call us at 208-667-5433 or there is a 24/7 help/chat line at 800-712-HELP.
•••
Bob Shillingstad’s religion columns appear Saturdays in The Press. Email Bob: bjshill@mac.com