The AIM Women’s Center, formerly the AIM (Assistance in Motherhood) Pregnancy Help Center, located at 248 North 5th Street in downtown Steubenville, Ohio, has been serving the Tri-State area since 1987. We are a non-profit, charitable organization funded by private contributions and individual donations. We seek to provide education, opportunities for healing, and support in a Christ centered way to those who find themselves in a pregnancy related crisis. We strive to empower individuals to make healthy life choices regarding their sexuality, consistent with the sanctity of Human Life.
The Center was first located at 412 Market Street and opened in late March of 1987. In the beginning, we were open 10 hours, two days a week. In the first nine months of operation we served 110 requests for assistance. We moved to 329 N. 4th Street in 1990. In July of 1995, through a J.C. Williams Foundation Grant, we were able to purchase the home we are in today in downtown Steubenville. We are now open four days a week, for eighteen hours at our downtown location. We maintain a 24 hour hotline and serve approximately one thousand women and their families yearly.
At the AIM Women’s Center, all our services are free with no eligibility requirements. The AIM volunteers are trained to provide emotional support that is necessary when women are faced with a possible pregnancy crisis. The volunteers also provide the necessary information and educational materials needed to answer questions about fetal development, pregnancy, abstinence and teen sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases, birth control, the abortion procedure and its dangers, post-abortion syndrome and adoption. For those that have chosen abortion in the past, post abortion help is offered at our center and through our Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats.
In 2002, a “learn and earn” program called “Bridges” was started to provide the materials our young mothers needed for their babies. Through this program, we build personal relationships with our clients while providing material assistance and education on pregnancy, birth, parenting and sexual health. Emergency needs for formula, diapers and clothing are met on a monthly basis or as needed.
In 2006, after Board training by Heartbeat International, we revisited our mission statement and the original vision for the ministry, to make sure we were being fiercely intentional in our work and goals. After much prayer and consideration a new name was decided upon, The AIM Women’s Center, and our mission statement was designed to become more intentional in our desire to help the abortion vulnerable woman. AIM was embarking on a very exciting time.
In 2008, we joined NIFLA, (National Institute of Family and Life Advocates) a legal organization which offers training and advice to centers moving towards medical status. With NIFLA’s expertise and Sonography Now intensive training in the practice of limited obstetrical ultrasound according to national standards, our Johnson Road office became operative as AIM Women’s Clinic. In the fall of 2010, with a generous grant from J. C. Williams and the Esther Simmons Foundations we obtained a state of the art ultrasound machine. With ongoing guidance from Focus on the Family, in April 2010, we began offering free limited obstetrical ultrasounds under the supervision of a physician.