In 1998, an idea was brewing: the need for a ministry centered on assisting women and families facing an unexpected pregnancy with tangible resources, trusted service referrals, and, most importantly, compassionate, open-ended advocacy and encouragement.
This was not a novel idea. Since the first recognized pregnancy resource center in California around 1968, communities have recognized this need. Even here in Washington State, by the early 1980s, a handful of pregnancy resource centers dotted the landscape. The mission itself was not new.
In 2010, it was decided that Next Step—known then as Angelorum, for those of you who have been with us since the beginning—would begin offering medical services. Essential care such as pregnancy testing and early obstetric ultrasounds became available to the women and girls in our community. They received accurate, evidence-based early pregnancy care, a transformative first look into the womb, and compassionate support that extended beyond practical assistance.
But what about the practical?
What about the diapers, wipes, blankets, onesies, strollers, swaddles, books, and little hand-held stuffies? What about nursing bras, breast pumps, formula, and Dr. Brown’s bottles?
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, many pregnancy resource centers began shifting their model, broadening their focus from primarily material support to medical services. Some moved away from the traditional diaper pantry model altogether in favor of a comprehensive medical approach.
And that’s not to suggest it was the wrong decision. The strategy of strengthening life-affirming pregnancy care through compassionate medical care, innovation, and reliable information is a valuable one.
But the gaps in support—and the very reason Next Step was founded more than 28 years ago—still exist today.
That is why Next Step continues to live out its original mission: serving the immediate needs of those facing unplanned pregnancies by providing practical resources that help create a safe, healthy home for both mother and child.
All of this is to say that Next Step Pregnancy Services believes in caring for the whole family. Offering a wide range of material goods, referrals to community resources, our newborn layette program, and filled diaper bags alongside our accredited, compassionate medical care remains an essential part of our whole-person approach.
The very real circumstance of a young father who needs an emergency supply of diapers for his newborn while waiting three more days until payday is the reality for many of the families who walk through our doors. The mother of four whose children are outgrowing their pajamas faster than she can hand them down and who simply needs a few extras is another story we hear again and again. The new mother who, through no fault of her own, is unable to breastfeed and quickly discovers that even generic infant formula costs more than her limited paycheck can cover? She comes to us, too.
Because of you—your generosity, your prayers, and the faithful service of our volunteers—we are able to provide diapers, pajamas, formula, and so much more to anyone who needs them, whenever they need them.
And we’ll continue to offer the Diaper Pantry alongside our exemplary, servant-hearted medical care—always.
