We envision that every person in the greater Miami Valley will experience gospel transformation that empowers them to choose life for their unborn children and God’s design for sexual purity.
In 1980, two Christian women, Jo Anne Rohrer and Debi Sayer, felt a burden to help women facing an unplanned pregnancy. With this vision, the first Hope Rising (MVWC) opened in 1982 on East Dorothy Lane, providing free pregnancy testing and material assistance.
During the early 90’s, the MVWC began support groups for single women and mothers of pregnant teens. In addition, MVWC partnered with Dayton Christian Schools to develop an abstinence program titled Worth Waiting For, providing a peer-to-peer educational message for teens.
By 1998, MVWC expanded to a larger facility on Stroop Road and began offering new services such as basic medical assistance, support programs for men, instructional classes, and a mentoring program. As the year came to a close, another center, New Beginnings of Huber Heights, became a satellite of MVWC.
In 2000, the Greene County Crisis Pregnancy Center merged with the MVWC to create a third office in Xenia. In the spring of 2001, upon the purchase of a large facility debt-free, a strategic hub of services was established for the Xenia, Beavercreek, and Bellbrook areas. Our Student Outreach Department expanded to include GIFT (Giving Insight, Friendship and Truth), an in-school, small-group mentoring program for teen girls, and STARS (Seeking Truth, Accountability, Responsibility, and Success), an after-school club run by university students.
The desire to reach men and teach them to take responsibility as fathers and be supportive of their children was realized as the Men’s Ministry was officially established. Male volunteers became available to talk with the partners of our clients and mentor expecting fathers. In 2003, an Evangelism and Discipleship program began in an effort to reach clients for Christ and connect them to a local church.
MVWC and Wright State University developed the student-led organization Equip for Life, and Campus Outreach expanded to four additional colleges to raise awareness of our services and programs. Student Outreach expanded to include TEAM (Training Equipped and Accountable Men), an in-school, small-group mentoring for teen boys.
In 2018, a fourth location opened offering medical services (including STI testing) and other programs to the North Dayton community. By the end of 2019, MVWC was offering free medical services and support programs for women, men, and students at four locations across the Dayton area.
In October of 2022, Executive Director Sheri Lawson announced a name change: Miami Valley Women’s Center would become ‘Hope Rising Pregnancy Center, Inc.’ or ‘Hope Rising’ for short.
For decades, we have known prayer is the foundation of the ministry and the driving power for all that we hope to accomplish. At all of our centers, prayer continues to be our focus as we rely on Christ to lead this, His ministry.
Hope Rising is a Pregnancy Resource Center that provides life-affirming information and compassionate services related to pregnancy decisions. We value life, support families, and demonstrate Christ’s love.
Hope Rising is a Christ-centered outreach organization. Our ultimate purpose is to utilize our God-given talents and gifts to honor Jesus Christ by caring for and educating individuals regarding pregnancy related issues.
We believe that all human life is sacred, created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect and value all human life (Ps 139). We demonstrate this belief through the respect, care and accurate information we offer to all clients served.
We believe marriage is exclusively the union between one man and one woman.* We further believe faithfulness in marriage is the expression of God’s design for sexual fulfillment. Therefore, we promote pre-marital abstinence with our clients, and in community-based education.
We promote personal responsibility by teaching biblical principles and equipping individuals with practical life skills. Organizationally, we are committed to a continual improvement process.
The core embodiment of our organization is to provide loving concern for clients in a safe, nonjudgmental atmosphere. We encourage our clients by addressing their practical, emotional and spiritual needs with honesty, empathy and unconditional love. Our organizational focus is to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
We are individuals who uphold the standards of honesty and trust. We are accountable to manage financial and material resources in a wise and productive manner. We strive to achieve these principles with personal conduct that honors God, earning us a name worthy of trust by clients and community alike.
We are dedicated to meeting the needs of our clients. We serve them by providing confidential services at no cost. We are committed to support each client by coming alongside them in friendship to see the possibilities and opportunities God has for them and their children.
*man and woman – as demonstrated/revealed/shown at birth
