By Paige Gurgainers
The SEEDS Women’s Center hosted its annual fundraising banquet Thursday evening, October 9, drawing a large crowd in celebration of hope, life and community support. The event, held at the Minden Civic Center, highlighted the organization’s continued growth, including the opening of its new facility and the impact it has made in the lives of local families.
Guest speaker Tim Boyd shared a powerful, heartfelt (and hilarious) message about faith, perseverance and the importance of organizations like SEEDS that walk alongside women and families facing difficult situations.
“When God gives a vision, he brings provision,” he said. Boyd went on to share his personal story and how he and his wife were able to experience God’s grace through miscarriage to their unexpected “bonus” child and a life-saving international adoption. His words underscored the life-changing mission at the heart of SEEDS’ work – to provide compassion, education and support for those in need.
Even Speaker of the House Mike Johnson shared a message via video about SEEDS’ supporting the Pro-Life movement continuously from their inception. Executive Director of SEEDS Amber Bradford informed the crowd that the non-profit is now partnering with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and supports foster parents and relative placements up until the child is four years of age.
“If you know anyone that has a child that is not theirs that they are raising and needs help, please send them our way,” said Bradford. “On the flip side, if a parent has unfortunately had things happen and had her child removed for safety reasons, they can come and sign up for parenting classes and I can write a letter to the judge.”
Over the past two years, SEEDS has seen 417 total visits and served 500 individuals, providing 266 pregnancy tests, 388 ultrasounds, and enrolling 76 participants in parenting classes. Most notably, 54 families chose life for their unborn children through the guidance and care offered by SEEDS.
Now operating out of a newly expanded facility, SEEDS continues to offer a wide range of free services including pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, parenting classes, material assistance and mentorship programs. The new space allows the organization to better serve the growing number of clients who rely on its resources and support network.
As the evening came to a close, the message was clear – SEEDS is not just a resource center, but a beacon of hope for women, children and families in Webster Parish and beyond.
To support SEEDS and their mission, please donate to: https://give.cornerstone.cc/nwlpcc
