Category: Uncategorized

Honoring Fathers

As we look to this weekend and celebrate Father’s Day, I have been reflecting on the important role fathers play in the lives of their children and families. Throughout Scripture, we see examples of men who faithfully lead, protect, provide for, and nurture those entrusted to their care. While no father is perfect, the influence of a loving and engaged father can leave a lasting impact for generations.

At Alpha Care Center, we see firsthand the difference a supportive father can make as families navigate pregnancy and parenthood. We are especially grateful for the fathers, grandfathers, and father figures who support Alpha through their prayers, encouragement, volunteer service, and financial gifts. Your faithfulness helps make it possible for families in our communities to receive practical resources, education, and compassionate care.

Please join me in praying for the fathers in our communities. Pray that they would lead with wisdom, with love and patience, and that they would find strength in the Lord as they care for their families.

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While driving to our Lake Odessa office this morning, I decided to take a different route. Along the way, I found myself praying over many of the buildings and landmarks I passed (don’t worry, I kept my eyes open!).

“Lord, is this where You would have us be? Is this the place You are preparing for Alpha Care Center? Or would You have us wait?”

I was reminded that God’s timing is always perfect. While our current space continues to serve families, we know He already has a plan for Alpha’s future in Lake Odessa. Our responsibility is to faithfully seek His direction and be ready when He reveals the next step.

Today, I am asking for your prayers.

While we do not yet know whether God’s plan includes building, purchasing, renting, or renovating, we are committed to faithfully following His direction and being ready when He opens the right door.

Please pray for:
• Wisdom and unity for our leadership team
• Clear direction for the future Lake Odessa location
• Boldness to share God’s truth, love, and hope with every client we serve

I also ask for your help in spreading the word about Alpha’s services. We provide free pregnancy testing, first-trimester limited obstetric ultrasounds, parenting education, and material assistance to anyone who is pregnant or caring for a child under age five.  Services are provided regardless of income, residency, or insurance status.

Please share Alpha with your friends, family, coworkers, church groups, and community organizations. A simple conversation may connect a family with the support, education, and resources they need during a critical season of life.

If you have never visited one of our centers, I would love to show you around. Thank you for partnering with us through your prayers, generosity, and encouragement as we continue serving families in our communities.

With sincere gratitude,

Stephanie Wellwood

Executive Director

Alpha Care Center

Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.“ ESV

June Prayer Calendar & Celebrating Fathers

Dear Friend,

Thank you for your faithful prayers and support of Alpha Care Center. Your partnership allows us to provide hope, encouragement, and practical assistance to women, men, and families in our community.

Attached is our June Prayer Calendar. We invite you to join us in praying throughout the month for the families we serve, our staff and volunteers, and the continued work of this ministry.

As we celebrate Father’s Day this month, we are especially thankful for the fathers and father figures who faithfully love, support, and care for their families. Strong fathers play a vital role in the lives of their children, and we are grateful for the men who step into that responsibility with courage, commitment, and compassion. We also ask for your prayers for expectant fathers and dads facing challenges as they seek to provide for and nurture their families.

Because of your support, Alpha Care Center is able to provide a variety of free services to our community:

Medical Services
• Pregnancy Tests
• Ultrasounds
• STD/STI Testing

Educational Services
• Earn While You Learn (EWYL)

Material Assistance
• Alpha Store using Earn While You Learn (EWYL) points
• Community Referrals and Resources

Every appointment, class, and conversation is an opportunity to offer practical help, encouragement, and the love of Christ to those who need it most.

Thank you for standing with us as we support families and help equip parents for the journey ahead. Your prayers and generosity make this ministry possible.

With gratitude,

The Alpha Care Center Team

Dear Friends,

We are excited to kick off this year’s Baby Bottle Boomerang campaign.

This simple fundraiser is a powerful way to support the women, men, and families we serve at Alpha Care Center. All it takes is a baby bottle and your spare change.

Pick up a baby bottle, fill it with coins, cash, or checks over the next few weeks, and return it to help provide pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, parenting education, material support, and encouragement to local families.

It may seem small, but spare change adds up quickly and every dollar makes a difference.

If you would like to participate digitally, donations can also be made online here:
https://givebutter.com/2026-baby-bottle-boomerang-copy-3j1vpc

Need to pick up bottles or have questions? Contact us at info@alphacarecenter.org or call:
Lowell: 616.987.9533
Lake Odessa: 616.537.4200

Thank you for partnering with us to support life, share hope, and care for families in our community.

With gratitude,

Alpha Care Center

Update on Lake Odessa Relocation Prospect

Psalm 65:5: “By awesome deeds You answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and the farthest seas . . . “

Thank you for fervently praying for the Board of Directors and myself as we investigated a potential lease for our Lake Odessa location. God has answered our prayers and has shown us a definite NO for this prospect. We are trusting in His protection and continue to be thankful for where He has taken our ministry. This has been a learning experience for the Board and me and we feel better prepared for what’s next in the His plan.

God is Good. We know that He has great and mighty things planned for Alpha and our Lake Odessa location.

We continue to seek the Lord’s direction for our Lake Odessa location. While we are grateful for our current space, we are praying for the opportunity to expand into a larger facility—one that we can truly call our own.

If you’re aware of a potential building that could meet this need, I would love to connect with you. Ideally, we hope to remain in the business district or closer to the high school, but we are open to exploring other possibilities as well.

With sincere gratitude,

Stephanie Wellwood

Executive Director

Alpha Care Center

We have some exciting updates from Alpha Care Center this quarter!

I hardly know where to begin—there are so many good things to share. Because of your support and your prayers, Alpha Care Center continues to share the love of Christ with women and families in the Lake Odessa and Lowell communities. Thank you for being part of this ministry.

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By the Numbers

During the first quarter of 2026, our staff and volunteers had the privilege of serving 68 clients across both locations. Of those, 17 women came to us with pregnancy-related questions. Our medical team provided 7 pregnancy tests and 8 ultrasounds.

While many women who visit Alpha already intend to choose life, one young mom came in feeling scared and uncertain. She was especially concerned about how her parents might respond. Seeing her ultrasound confirmed her choice to choose life for her baby as she recognized its intrinsic value. Please join us in praying for her as she walks this journey.

Participants in our Earn While You Learn program completed a total of 190 visits this quarter. These visits represent meaningful conversations, growth in parenting skills, and spiritual encouragement. Nearly 2,500 points were redeemed for essential items like diapers, wipes, baby clothing, and personal care products.

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Growth in Lake Odessa

Our Lake Odessa office opened in January 2020, and it’s hard to believe how quickly time has passed. What was intended to be a temporary space (just over 1,000 square feet with one client room and one ultrasound room) has served us well, thanks in large part to our incredible volunteers who steward the space so faithfully.

However, we have clearly outgrown this location and have been praying for direction. Commercial space in the area is limited and often costly.

In early March, a community member approached us with a potential opportunity for relocation. Our Board of Directors is prayerfully considering this option. While we cannot share full details yet, we ask you to pray with us for wisdom and clarity as we discern next steps. A special Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 21 to further discuss this opportunity. Would you consider setting aside time that day to pray for Alpha Care Center?

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Opportunities for Involvement

After a temporary pause to strengthen policies in response to updates to the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act, we are excited to reopen applications for volunteers, staff, and board members.

If you or someone you know is interested in getting involved use the links below to complete the associated application.

If you’re unable to serve in person, your prayers are deeply needed and valued. Be sure to watch for our monthly email with a link to our prayer calendar. If you would like a list of our current volunteers to pray for by name, feel free to email me at stephaniew@alphacarecenter.org. I love knowing that individuals and churches are lifting up our team in prayer.

Could I also encourage you to set aside a specific time each week to pray for Alpha? Pray for our staff, our volunteers, and the men, women, and children we serve.

We are also seeking additional financial partners. I am specifically praying for new monthly supporters and have set a goal to raise our pledged monthly support by $500 per month. In 2025, 20 churches supported Alpha’s ministry. Imagine the impact if just one person from each of those churches committed to giving $25 per month. Together, that would meet this need.

If you are approaching retirement and are required to take a minimum distribution, consider speaking with your tax advisor about directing a portion to Alpha Care Center. Our Tax ID is 06-1809255 (Alpha Women’s Center of Lowell, DBA Alpha Care Center).

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No matter how you choose to partner with us – through prayer, service, or financial support, please know how deeply grateful I am. It is an incredible privilege to be part of this ministry and to serve alongside people like you. You truly make this work possible.

With sincere gratitude,

Stephanie Wellwood

Executive Director

Alpha Care Center

P.S. Watch your mail for our newsletter with update from our Ladies Luncheon & Silent Auction.

Dear Alpha Supporters,

At Alpha Care Center, women and families in our community receive compassionate care, practical resources, and a safe place to process important decisions. Your partnership makes this work possible and allows us to meet each client with both truth and grace.

Even with all of the weather cancellations in January, Alpha still saw abortion vulnerable clients — a reminder that the need does not pause when conditions are difficult. Because of you, we were able to remain a steady and compassionate presence during uncertain circumstances.

We use specific terms to help our team thoughtfully understand where a client may be in her decision-making process:

Abortion Vulnerable describes a client who may feel pressured toward abortion due to circumstances such as lack of support, financial stress, housing concerns, or relationship challenges. She may not be seeking abortion but is at risk without additional support.

Abortion Minded refers to a client who is actively considering abortion as an option but remains open to discussion, education, and support.

Abortion Determined describes a client who has firmly decided to pursue abortion and is not open to alternatives at the time of her visit.

These definitions help Alpha Care Center respond with appropriate care, compassion, and resources—meeting each client where she is and offering support without judgment. Because of you, we are able to provide individualized support tailored to each woman’s situation.

We would love for you to be part of our upcoming Ladies Luncheon & Silent Auction. This special event will be a meaningful time of connection, encouragement, and vision for the future of Alpha Care Center.

If you’re able to attend in person, we would be honored to have you join us. If you cannot attend, you can still participate in the silent auction online — no ticket or in-person attendance required. It’s a wonderful way to support the mission from wherever you are.

Thank you for standing with us and supporting this important mission.

Dear Friends,

As we enter the month of March, we are leaning into a theme that beautifully reflects the heart of Alpha Care Center: Life, Hope, and Courage.

Every day, we have the privilege of walking alongside women and families who need hope in uncertain moments and courage to choose life. We know this work is only possible through God’s guidance and the faithful prayers of supporters like you.

Attached you’ll find our March Prayer Calendar. We invite you to join us in praying each day for our clients, staff, leadership, and for life-affirming policies that protect the most vulnerable. Your prayers make an eternal impact.

We would also love to see you at our upcoming Ladies Luncheon & Silent Auction on March 14! There is still time to sign up and join us for an encouraging afternoon centered on celebrating life and supporting the mission of Alpha Care. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect, be inspired, and make a difference.

Thank you for standing with us in prayer and partnership. Together, we continue to be a voice for life, a place of hope, and a source of courage in our community.

With gratitude,

Alpha Care Center

Love, Compassion, and Relationships: February Prayer Calendar

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your continued support of Alpha Care Center. Because of your prayers, generosity, and encouragement, we are able to serve women, men, and families with compassion, truth, and life-affirming care.

At Alpha Care Center, our purpose is to provide free, confidential medical services, education, and material support to those facing unplanned pregnancies and sexual health concerns. We strive to be a place where every person is treated with dignity, love, and respect, and where hope is offered in both words and action.

As we enter the month of February, we invite you to join us in prayer. This month’s Prayer Calendar focuses on love, compassion, and relationships—values that are at the heart of everything we do. Your prayers make a real difference in the lives of our clients, staff, volunteers, and the families we serve.

Thank you for standing with Alpha Care Center and for being an essential part of this mission. We are deeply grateful for you and the role you play in sharing hope and care with our community.

With sincere thanks,
Alpha Care Center

Join Us for the Ladies Luncheon & Silent Auction

Dear Friends,

We are excited to invite you to Alpha Care Center’s Ladies Luncheon & Silent Auction, a special afternoon of fellowship, generosity, and support for the mission you help make possible.

📍 Location: The Grace Center
191 S Main St, Clarksville, MI

🕰 Event Schedule:
Doors open at 11:15 AM
Lunch begins at 11:40 AM
Silent auction ends at 1:15 PM

This year’s silent auction will include both online and in-person items, giving everyone an opportunity to participate. Even if you’re unable to attend the luncheon, you can still join the online auction fun.

We’re also excited to introduce something new this year—a floral bouquet making table! Attendees will be able to create a beautiful bouquet to take home for an additional fee. Supplies are limited and will be available on a first-come basis.

And of course, we’re thrilled to welcome back the same fabulous chef, so you can once again look forward to a delicious lunch that guests have come to love.

👉 Registration is required to attend. Please register using the link below:
https://givebutter.com/c/ACCLL26

Thank you for your continued support of Alpha Care Center and the families we serve. We hope you’ll join us for this meaningful and enjoyable event.

With gratitude,
Alpha Care Center

Updates from Alpha Care Center: Clothing Donations & Save the Date

Dear Friends,

We are grateful for the continued support of our Alpha Care Center community and wanted to share two important updates with you.

We are now accepting clothing donations for children up to size 8.
These donations help us support families in very practical ways and make a meaningful difference for those we serve. If you have gently used or new children’s clothing you’d like to donate, we would be so thankful for your generosity.

We also invite you to save the date for our Ladies Luncheon & Silent Auction on March 14. This special event is a wonderful opportunity to gather in community, enjoy a delicious meal, and support the life-affirming work of Alpha Care Center. More details and registration information will be coming soon.

Thank you for partnering with us to share love, compassion, and hope with the families we serve.