5 Questions with LifeChoices Women’s Care

As L on their favorite businesses when it comes to customer service, a few quickly rose to the top. One of those that has really shined in the customer service contest is .

Patch recently caught up with the folks behind the nonprofit.

Patch: What is the owner’s name?

LifeChoices: (Is a) 501(c) nonprofit organization.  Ana Hidalgo Stooks, (is the) executive director. (It was) founded by Bud Beck, Kathy DeSanto and Charlie Reese.

Patch: How long have you been open?

Hidalgo Stooks: May 13, 2009

Patch: How long have you lived in the area?

Hidalgo Stooks: (Since) 1990

Patch: What do you love about living and working in our town?

Hidalgo Stooks: Tampa Bay area is one of the friendliest and “small feel” places I have ever lived.  The people are very welcoming and you can make connections really easily.  There are many opportunities in our area to network with all sorts of people and businesses.  People in our area are very generous and really support nonprofit agencies in our communities.  Northern Hillsborough and Central Pasco Counties are a great area to raise children.  There are tons of activities and events always happening for families.

Patch: What do you wish everyone who came into your shop knew about you?

Hidalgo Stooks: LifeChoices Women’s Care is an early pregnancy resource medical clinic.  We have a registered nurse on duty all of the hours we are open.  All of our services are FREE.  Women who think they may be pregnant can come for FREE pregnancy testing, limited obstetrical ultrasounds, prenatal vitamins and nursing assessments.  We can provide proof of pregnancy for Medicaid since we are a CLIA laboratory.  We also do medical (Ob/Gyn) and community referrals (Health Department, WIC, Healthy Start/Healthy Families, area pastors for premarital counseling). We also have a Woman of Worth (WOW) Earn While You Learn program which allows women to earn “Mommy Money” to shop in our Boutique.  The program includes topics like: Nutrition, Fetal Development, Labor and Delivery, Adoption, Infant CPR and First Aid, Natural Family Planning  – to name a few.  We also offer services for women and men who are post abortive seeking hope and healing through our H.E.A.R.T. (Healing the Effects of Abortion Related Trauma) program.  All of our services are provided primarily by client advocate volunteers; only our Director of Clinical Services Barbara Cowne and our Executive Director Ana Hidalgo Stooks are paid staff.