Our History

Pregnancy Counseling Center has been serving Sonoma County since the early 1980s. It grew from the ache in one young mother’s heart when realized that many pregnancies were not met with joy and anticipation as hers had been, but rather, with feelings of confusion, fear, and abandonment from family. She was motivated to action by reading a national survey stating 92% of women who had received an abortion, claimed they would have chosen to give life to their babies if they thought they had had any other options. She realized what women needed most during a surprise and unplanned pregnancy, was someone who would be willing to listen and help them sort through the complex feelings she was having.....someone who would care about HER as an individual person!

Thus, P.C.C grew from being a second telephone line in one person’s home, to a group of caring women who took turns round the clock answering incoming calls. Formally organized in 1985, Pregnancy Counseling Center of Sonoma County is now a non-profit corporation (501c3 status) with 3 staff, over 50 trained volunteers, and a board of trustees. The Center has continued to develop services through the years, and now includes pregnancy testing, counseling, prenatal medical care, and resource centers, to meet the physical and emotional needs of more than 3,000 clients each year. Additional programs have been added as well to include Childbirth and Parenting classes, and Post-abortion and Sexual Abuse Recovery groups. PCC joined with the national care organization, NetCare, during 1991, which refers clients to the Center nearest them.

During 1993, a team was put together to write and design a youth education program, which we now call “Let’s TALK” (Take Another Look). The goal of the education program is to present factual information about pregnancy and disease in junior and senior high school classrooms, and challenge students to consider the benefits of making healthy, responsible decisions about their sexuality. Today, Let’s T.A.L.K presenters take their message to classrooms and parent and teen groups all across Sonoma County as requested.

Pregnancy Counseling Center moved into its’ present location at 750 Mendocino Avenue in Santa Rosa during 1994, after a $150,000 remodel project provided by local contributions and volunteer labor. Our state-licensed medical clinic was opened in 1998 to meet the prenatal care needs of clients through their second-trimester of pregnancy. An Ultrasound machine was donated soon after. Medical practitioners provide prenatal exams, medications, sonogram testing, and courteous and professional care.