Pregnancy Care Center of Springfield, Mo., celebrated 25 years serving pregnant women and their families last year and achieved several successes during that anniversary year.
The center provided more client services than ever, roughly 12,400, setting a record, and added additional space for providing those services, said Executive Director Lisa McIntire.
“We have approximately 20 different classes in addition to the Bright Course (subscription-based video-streaming service) online classes, and a large education room that fits about 40 people – and it’s oftentimes full,” she said.
Pregnancy Care Center (PCC) also makes its services available to the wider community, partnering with other nonprofits in the area to provide additional classes for clients and others in town, such as those in need of parenting classes and youth at risk of homelessness,
“We open our classes to anyone in the community,” McIntire said. “Why not strengthen families who want to be strengthened?”
Some of the classes include labor and delivery and safe sleep, which, upon completion, a client receives a pack and play, crib sheets, and a sleeping outfit for their baby.
PCC discovered they needed more space to serve their clients and the community, so in 2025, the administrative offices moved into a separate building adjacent to the center.
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25 years of serving Springfield
Heartbeat International Vice President Cindi Boston remarked on how far the center has come since its beginnings. Heartbeat is the largest network of pregnancy help organizations in the U.S. and the world. Boston previously served in pregnancy center leadership and founded PCC.
“God truly honors small beginnings,” she said. “What started with just $2,000 and a mailing list became a bold, shared commitment: reduce abortion by showing up for pregnant moms right here in our community.”
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McIntire has led the pregnancy help organization since 2016 and also seen growth and changes at PCC, including the center receiving accolades over the past decade. During this time, a men’s ministry was added and a licensed professional counselor brought on staff. In 2019, PCC received Organization of the from the Southwest Missouri Nonprofit Excellence Awards and was also a finalist for the Excellence in Innovation Award that same year.
The dedication of McIntire and her staff continued to be rewarded in 2025, through the various accomplishments the center achieved.
Part of the increase in services included a record-number of participants in PCC’s post-abortion healing program. The staff counselor provides one-on-one sessions with women who desire to be set free from guilt and other emotions accompanying their abortion experience. McIntire said she and her staff are grateful to be able to offer counseling to their clients at no cost and walk with women on the pathway of healing.
Expansion of medical services
With an upgrade to the center website clients and potential clients can now interact with a nurse 24/7.
“That was very important to us,” McIntire said.
Two other aspects of medical services were added in 2025: a new ultrasound machine and a program to provide free prenatal vitamins for clients. The local Knights of Columbus and River Stone Fellowship Church helped secure the new ultrasound machine last autumn. Offering that glimpse into the womb through ultrasound and providing free, prenatal vitamins helps women gain a greater perspective into the life they carry in their wombs and provides a strong foundation to begin the journey of motherhood with no cost to the client.
Community support and outreach
PCC also saw strong support from the community with record-breaking participation at events such as the organization’s Walk for Life and an increase in the number of volunteers at the center. Additionally, the center was recognized by the county commission for its 25 years serving the town of Springfield.
The center has reached out to schools in the past, offering programs and taking part in events. In 2025, the organization participated in several events on local college and university campuses, which opened doors for direct student contact and for speaking engagements.
“We have all these opportunities to be with people and college-age is who we primarily serve,” McIntire said. “We have a college program ambassador and she is just amazing. We even have an actual student group, and their purpose is to let students know about the resources available to them and to advocate for pregnant students.”
Growing and going strong
McIntire hired new staff to her leadership team after some staff retirements, including a new vice president of client services, a Chief Nursing Officer, and a new vice president of fatherhood.
“They have cool ideas,” McIntire said, “like Mom’s Night Out and Dad’s Night out, and lots of energy.”
Pregnancy Care Center continues to move forward and make a strong impact on the town of Springfield and the area of southwestern Missouri.
“We’ve watched PCC grow beyond what anyone could have mapped out,” Boston recently told Pregnancy Help News. “Well done, PCC Family – Heartbeat International is standing with you in this exciting moment!"
Editor's note: Heartbeat International manages Pregnancy Help News.
