Mid-Missouri Birthright carrying out timeless mission in new ways with a new location
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Warm lights and bright colors welcome clients and visitors to Mid-Missouri Birthright’s new headquarters in Jefferson City.
Every room is a celebration of life.
“This move will allow us to better serve our clients, offering a more central location that is now on the Jefferson City bus route, making it easier and more convenient for those who need us,” said Elizabeth Siebeneck, who recently became Birthright of Mid-Missouri’s new director.
The agency moved to its new location at 1130 E. Elm St. in Jefferson City, the lower level of the Missouri Catholic Conference (MCC) building, the first week of January.
The new location is more accessible and has more room for cars and people than the venerable space the agency previously occupied on East High Street.
The MCC made substantial renovations to the downstairs suite, which used to be home to the Jefferson City diocese’s Missions, Resettlement and Pro-Life offices.
Birthright made the big move the first week of this year.
One of the rooms in the new Birthright location once served as the office of Stephana Landwehr Ph.D. while she was serving as the diocese’s pro-life coordinator.
Jamie Morris, the MCC’s executive director and general counsel, said he hopes the new space helps Birthright offer an even safer, more functional and more welcoming environment for mothers and their children.
“I’m so happy to have Birthright in our building,” he said. “While I’m proud of our pro-life work upstairs, the more important and culture-transforming work is quietly being done every day downstairs by these amazing volunteers.”
Birthright of Mid-Missouri, one of over 450 Birthright affiliates in the United States and around the world, gives pregnant women and families who do not want to have an abortion the choice to give life instead.
The nondenominational nonprofit was founded on the principle that “it is the right of every pregnant woman to give birth, and the right of every child once conceived to be born.”
Birthright serves communities by offering compassionate, practical support to pregnant women and new mothers at no cost. It helps women choose hope, feel supported, and confidently care for their babies, strengthening the entire community in the process.
Local Catholics founded Birthright of Mid-Missouri over 50 years ago at the request of the late Bishop Michael F. McAuliffe, who was bishop of Jefferson City from 1969-97.
In season and out, Birthright provides a caring, nonjudgmental environment where women can receive emotional support, encouragement, and practical help during pregnancy and early motherhood.
Each year, the Mid-Missouri affiliate distributes more than 100 layettes filled with essential baby items — sleepers, blankets, onesies, socks, outfits, diapers, wipes and other necessities — plus a small gift for mom.
These layettes help families meet immediate needs during a critical time.
Birthright also helps connect families to community resources, services, and support systems that promote stability and long-term well-being.
In the process, by easing financial stress and offering consistent encouragement, Birthright helps families start strong and build a healthier future.
All services are made possible through donations, volunteers and partnerships from Mid-Missouri residents who care deeply about supporting families.
One room in the new location is filled with disposable diapers of all sizes. Another is neatly stocked with layettes and baby clothes.
“We love the new digs and we want everyone to know we moved from the old location,” said Mrs. Siebeneck, the director. “Luckily, we’re only a few blocks away from where we were.”
Full circle
Birthright of Mid-Missouri volunteer Pam Singer has seen the affiliate grow and change with the times since she first came into contact with it in the 1970s.
Several Birthright volunteers who lived in her neighborhood noticed that she had become unexpectedly pregnant at age 17.
“They approached me and offered to help me,” she said. “That was my first experience with them.”
In those days, volunteers would ask young mothers if they had someplace safe to stay.
“Some of the volunteers would take you into their home if you didn’t have a safe place to live,” said Mrs. Singer. “In those days, a lot of parents kicked their daughters out if they got pregnant.”
Mrs. Singer told the woman she had a safe home and a supportive family.
“They said, ‘Can we please give you a baby shower?’” she recalled. “They gave me all these things that I needed and so much support and information.
“I was only 17!” she noted. “It’s not like I had a support group of mom friends. All my friends were cheerleaders and volleyball leaders in high school.”
The volunteers became dear friends to her.
“I remember saying, ‘When I grow up, I want to be a Birthright volunteer,” said Mrs. Singer.
She sees the son she had so young and the other two children she had after him as “a tremendous gift! I wouldn’t trade them for anything.”
After all three children were old enough to go to school, Mrs. Singer also went back to study and eventually became a nurse.
“I was in my 60s when I finally had time and means to make good on my promise,” she said. “But finally, I’m able to. My life has come full circle.”
She feels proud and honored to be affiliated with Birthright of Mid-Missouri’s volunteers and donors.
“It’s just such a blessing,” she said. “It’s a real honor to help these ladies and these babies.”
Her husband Larry has been very supportive of her volunteer work with Birthright.
She noted that the organization’s approach has changed with the times.
“We don’t see a lot of women in crisis anymore,” she said. “In my day, when I was 17 and pregnant, it was a crisis situation, because it wasn’t commonplace. It was more hush-hush.
“Teenage pregnancy, it’s just out there these days,” she continued. “You don’t get kicked out of school and off the cheerleading team. It’s not as much of a crisis. So, we don’t have as many women come to us in crisis.
“But most of the clients that come to us, they’re keeping their baby and they need a little extra help with finances or emotional support or formula and diapers,” she said.
Whereas, Mrs. Singer received services from Birthright volunteers one time, many of today’s clients come back for additional help because of the high cost of raising a baby.
“It’s nice that we get to be friends with them,” she said. “Most of our volunteers are retired moms and grandmas. I’m sure some of these younger moms come in and get a little wisdom from us.”
She’s grateful that in her own situation, “God worked it out.”
“I have a lot of faith, and I feel like things work out the way they should,” she said. “I really believe that God’s got a plan.”
“Very rewarding”
Louise Summerhill started the Birthright movement in Toronto, Canada, in 1968.
It has spread to more than 450 chapters — including several very successful Birthright affiliates in this diocese.
Birthright of Mid-Missouri is a Section 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides confidential information and resources to women.
These services include free pregnancy tests, maternity wear and baby items.
Birthright volunteers offer support and access to available community resource tools, addressing prenatal care, childbirth, adoption, child safety, parenting skills and referrals for medical support, financial, legal and employment resources, housing and counseling.
Mrs. Singer said she prays for God to continue to bless Birthright with generous donors in the community, as well as volunteers.
“We have wonderful donors,” she said. “We just can’t praise God enough for that. But we’re also looking for people who are willing to give us an afternoon a month, two afternoons a month. We can’t do it without our volunteers. That’s always our prayer.”
Individuals seeking help may call the 24/7 free Helpline at 1-800-550-4900.
For more information about volunteering or for local services, call 573-635-8822.
