Encyclopedia of Cleveland History: WOMANKIND MATERNAL AND PRENATAL CENTER

The Haymarket area along Ontario Ave., ca. 1930. The facilities for the Gateway sports complex now occupy much of the site. WRHS.

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The Ironing Department of L.N. Gross Co., ca. 1930. WRHS

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WOMANKIND MATERNAL AND PRENATAL CENTER - The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History

WOMANKIND MATERNAL AND PRENATAL CENTER, established in 1975 as Birthcare Inc. by nurse Michele Rogers, among others, has provided prenatal and maternal medical care to WOMEN of the Greater Cleveland area with unplanned or stressful pregnancies, regardless of age, ethnic group, religion, or ability to pay. More than two-thirds of the almost 1,700 clients served per year are single mothers. In 2007, eight staff members and about one hundred volunteers maintained the nonprofit, nonsectarian center; volunteers included professional medical personnel and trained counselors, who offered support and, at times, referrals to psychologists or psychiatrists. Womankind has also offered pregnancy testing, clothing and furniture, breastfeeding information, childbirth and parenting classes, legal assistance, adoption referral, natural FAMILY PLANNING, and post-abortion counseling.

While primarily supported by individual donations, Womankind has received financial support from FOUNDATIONS and volunteer services such as the CLEVELAND FOUNDATION, SAINT ANN FOUNDATION, the EVA L. AND JOSEPH M. BRUENING FOUNDATION, the REINBERGER FOUNDATION, and the SISTERS OF CHARITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.

The organization was originally located in SOUTH EUCLID, and for a time had a branch office in BEDFORD. During the early 1990s, Womankind was located in WOODMERE, but in 1993 moved to a new location at 5400 Transportation Boulevard in GARFIELD HEIGHTS. In 2007, the executive director was Eileen M. Murray.