Not that its volunteers ever felt the need for compromise of any kind, but Birthright of Austin has changed … it's look.

The message remains the same, but where it is delivered is different.

The offices at 215 Fourth Ave. NE have been remodeled and redecorated. There's a new "flow" to the spaces, beginning with an expansive greeting area and continuing through the lounge or waiting room for adults and children to the free store of baby and toddler clothing and to private consultation and pregnancy testing room.

The offices are brightly-colored with new paint. There's new carpeting and different furniture.

The remodeling was extensive -- walls were moved -- and the first of its kind since the organization moved to the location.

Otherwise, Birthright remains focused on offering someone to turn to, shoulders to lean on and information.

"Most of our clients come from the referrals of others," said Barbara Kubat, a volunteer. "They were helped by Birthright and now they want Birthright to help someone else."

Kubat and other volunteers assembled recently to discuss the cosmetic changes and how Birthright of Austin remains true to its mission and that is: "Every woman has the right to give birth with dignity and every baby has a right to be born."

Volunteers staff the office, make quilts, do laundry and otherwise attend to the needs of Birthright clients -- females with a decision to make.

Some of the workers and volunteers include Joanne Hansen, a charter member of the organization, Judy Gerlach, another long-time stalwart of the organization, Ann Ulwelling, Kari Swigerd and Kubat.

"I look forward to the day when we don't need Birthright anymore," Hansen said.

World-wide help

Birthright is an international pregnancy support service, offering help by trained volunteers.

Birthright provides alternatives to abortion and care and concern for all pregnant women.

The organization has had a presence in Austin for the last 32 years and was the third chapter organized in the state.

"It was just something we wanted to do for others," said Hansen, one of seven founding women, who started the chapter.

Through the years, funding has come from churches, private donations and some businesses, such as Target of Austin. Younkers, the Knights of Columbus and local churches have assisted with fund-raisers.

The items for the free clothes service are also donated.

There are baby showers held for Birthright, Kubat said. Other donations come from clubs and youth groups. All items included in the baby's layette (children 0 to 3 months) are new.

The clothes, including shoes, serve children 0 to 5 years of age.

'Different perspective'

A corps of 28 volunteers currently staff Birthright. They are all trained to assist women in the pregnancy decision-making process and beyond. Strict confidentiality is observed.

"Our clients included teenagers as young as 14 to women in their 30s and 40s, but most of our clients are in their 20s," Hansen said.

The clients come from Austin, but also the rural areas and communities in greater Mower County as well as nearby Iowa.

Also among the clients are women of different cultures -- Hispanic mainly -- which require the use of interpreters made available to the organization.

Also helpful to the organization are a wide range of professionals, including physicians, who can counsel mothers through their pregnancies.

The Birthright volunteers, all mothers or grandmothers today, also will be with the client through delivery of a child. Or, as Hansen said, "As long as the mother needs our help."

When a pregnancy test is negative, the volunteers continue to offer their friendship to the client.

Kubat wishes the organization could do more.

"Financially, there are things we want to do, but we just can't do," she said. "We could help more clients and offer more services if we had more resources."

Gerlach said the volunteers derive satisfaction by helping others.

"It makes you feel good when you help them make a decision," she said.

Swigerd is blunt.

"I want to help stop abortions. I want to help these girls to make the right decision," the mother of two children said.

She said volunteering gives her the opportunity to remind others that birth is a "previous gift from God."

One of the "heroines" of Birthright is Ann Ulwelling.

She candidly told a Minnesota Birthright state convention audience at St. John's Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod two years ago that she gave up a child to adoption as a single mother.

Ulwelling remains one of Birthright's strongest and most out-spoken advocates today.

"Birthright helped me to see the world with a different perspective when I needed it," she said. "It helped to remind me what a precious gift from God children are."

On Sunday, May 18, Birthright of Austin will host an open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its headquarters along Fourth Avenue NE. There will be tours and refreshments.

For more information, call Birthright of Austin at 437-2373.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at :mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com