The Eastern Panhandle’s only AbbaCare Pregnancy Center location is at 319 South Raleigh Street in Martinsburg. Courtesy photo

MARTINSBURG — The Eastern Panhandle’s sole AbbaCare Pregnancy Resource Center location will be holding a ribbon cutting ceremony on April 14 at 10 a.m. at its new location at 319 South Raleigh Street in Martinsburg.

AbbaCare was officially begun in Virginia more than 30 years ago, serving as a Christian resource for women to find information on all aspects of pregnancy.

Originally an all-volunteer organization that provided resources and encouragement, the center now serves as a medical clinic with a growing staff.

AbbaCare provides free pregnancy testing and ultrasounds, with locations in Winchester, Va. and in Martinsburg. In addition to those services, AbbaCare offers parenting classes and other educational materials on carrying a pregnancy to term. Also available is information on adoption and abortion, as well as sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment.

According to the agency’s website, each appointment includes a private consultation with a nurse. All services are free. In addition, men’s coaching is available for fathers who wish to take advantage of having a resource to help grasp all the responsibilities involved with pregnancy.

The center was designed so all pregnancy questions could be answered in a caring, judgment-free atmosphere. Clients can also learn about adoption options at the center, including which type of adoptions may be best — open, semi-open or closed — and whether an agency will be used, or if the process will be private.

Advice and assistance is also available on parenting for those who have questions from every aspect of affordability to the feasibility of parenthood.

The Martinsburg location of AbbaCare opened in February of last year, but quickly closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. While closed, the agency’s board of directors worked hard to find a location in Martinsburg that would not require constant moving of equipment and resources from the Winchester office. After the location on South Raleigh Street was found, the first clients were accepted there a couple of weeks ago.

To RSVP for the Open House event, visit the AbbaCare Pregnancy Resource Center’s Facebook page or email suzanne@abbacare.org.

For additional information on the services provided by AbbaCare, visit www.abbacare.org. Appointments can be scheduled by calling either the Winchester location 540-665-9660 or Martinsburg at 304-726-6582.