Weatherford Ministry Bringing New Life to Local Pregnancy Center
GHM Executive Director Charley Rickey
Cocoon Pregnancy Resource Center in Mineral Wells has formed a partnership with Grace House Ministries of Weatherford, broadening services to the community and increasing hours of operation.
Over the past 17 years, Cocoon has gone through several stages of metamorphosis, and this one might be the most exciting thus far. Established in 2005, the non-profit ministry has been supported by local churches from four locations, most recently partnering with the Palo Pinto Baptist Association.
From its onset, the organization looked to Grace House Pregnancy Center in Weatherford as a model for services and operation in an effort to provide pregnancy verifications and a variety of baby resources for women and their families in the community. While Grace House continued to grow since 1993 and expand services to include its Options Clinic and Pure Truth in-school training program under the umbrella of Grace House Ministries, Cocoon managed to serve a steady number of clientele though the years, staffed entirely by volunteers.
Founder and Executive Director Christy Dorr said she had begun to feel her influence through Cocoon was waning.
“For quite a while, I felt like I’ve been waiting for someone with fresh motivation and a wider skill set to come along and want to take over. Mineral Wells is anticipating quite a bit of growth, and there will be more families needing services,” said Dorr. “I truly believed it was time for someone to step in and take Cocoon to the next level.”
In a phone call with Grace House Ministries Executive Director Charley Rickey, Dorr said she expressed her concerns to Rickey, then mentioned her passing thought that Grace House might consider taking over Cocoon. Much to her surprise, Rickey told Dorr he had called to approach her regarding that very thing and was just as surprised when she mentioned it first. After presenting the idea to their respective governing boards, the decision was made unanimously to transition all of Cocoon’s resources and services to Grace House Ministries.
“New and expectant mothers will continue to receive pregnancy tests, spiritual and emotional support, as well as material items for their child as Cocoon has long provided, and they, along with the father of the baby, will now have access to pregnancy, parenting, and life-skills classes,” said Rickey. “Where the center is currently open one day per week, services will be broadened to three days per week at a new location.”
In addition, Rickey said that on-site nurses will also offer ultrasound services with the goal of serving as a greater resource to women still making a decision about their pregnancy.
“The Open Door mobile ultra-sound unit out of Cisco has been coming to Cocoon once a month for the past couple of years, and we have been extremely grateful to them for their free services,” said Dorr. “However, being able to offer on-site ultrasounds more often will be a huge asset to our community.”
Cocoon will continue to operate from its current location under the leadership of Grace House Ministries until a new location is ready. Information will be provided on Cocoon’s Facebook page as the transition progresses.
