Local pregnancy center has change in leadership
At the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors of 1st Choice Pregnancy Resource Center, the Board voted to make a contribution to the Arkansas Community Foundation’s 1st Choice Pregnancy Center Endowment in honor of Brad Watson, who recently stepped down from the Board of Directors. A sum of $17,000 will be added to the endowment in recognition of Watson’s 17 years of service.
Brad Watson joined the 1st Choice Board in 2004 and was a dedicated member, missing only a handful of meetings. He held many offices, including Board President since 2017. The organization has grown during Brad’s tenure. Some of the accomplishments include: Moving from its Olive Street location to its current 8300 square foot building on Main Street; adding ultrasound services and the Mommy Store, establishing an endowment, increasing the number of clients served as well as services offered, eliminating the center’s debt, expanding the donor base, and increasing the number of paid staff.
The Center will be adding a mobile unit this spring, fulfilling a vision cast under Watson’s leadership.
“Brad was on the Board when I came to 1st Choice, so I am still getting used to the idea of him not being an official part of the organization,” said Kristie Wright, executive director.
The Center has seen its share of challenges in the past couple of decades, she added. “And Brad weathered them all. He also helped us celebrate the many blessings we have received as an organization.”
John Mark Burgess is the newly-elected president of the Board of Directors.
“Brad certainly leaves big shoes for all of us to fill,” he said. “As an organization, we are blessed to reap the fruits of his labor.”
The 1st Choice Pregnancy Center Endowment was established as an investment in the future of the organization. It provides a source of lasting income for the organization and ensures that women facing an unplanned pregnancy in our area will always have a safe, non-judgmental place to turn.
Watson is a chaplain with Heritage Hospice, currently pastors at Mid-Way Baptist Church and is a Christian counselor with Directed Path Ministries. He has been married to his wife Lisa for 35 years. They have two children and eight grandchildren.
The pro-life, Christian, nonprofit organization has served women and men facing an unplanned pregnancy since 1974. Its mission is to empower and encourage those affected by an unintended pregnancy to choose life by providing limited medical and consultation services for pregnancy (and pregnancy loss), educational services, and Christian spiritual support.