The Ministry History of Solutions
Our founder, Charlie Donohue, discovered in the 1980s that no pregnancy centers in the Monmouth County area were helping women choose life over abortion. Since then, our ministry has grown and made many changes.
1985
Our founder, Charlie Donohue, discovered in the 1980s that there was not a pregnancy center in the Monmouth County area. He then made it his mission to open one. Since 1985, we have provided free services to any woman facing an unplanned pregnancy.
Charlie Donohoe founded Helping Hands Pregnancy Care Center (HHPCC) with the financial commitment of local churches.
Solutions Health & Pregnancy Center opened in April 1985 in Red Bank, New Jersey. The initial name of our organization was Helping Hand Pregnancy Center, and was first located in a three-room suite at 75 West Front Street in Red Bank, New Jersey.
When we first opened, our staff consisted of three part-time directors and 25 volunteers. Our services included free pregnancy tests, a 24-hour helpline, confidential options consultation, and referrals for social services. In our first year, we helped to provide services for 264 women.
1989
In November of 1989, a full-time executive director replaced the three part-time directors. This allowed for more continuity of services and regular hours of operation. Today, we are proud to claim four employees, including our full-time executive director. Our part-time staff includes a medical ultrasound technician, an abstinence coordinator, and an office assistant.
However, we would not be able to succeed without the help of our 53 volunteers. These folks donate their time in several ways. Some serve on our board of directors while others work one-on-one with clients, help our clothing ministry, and much more.
Additionally, our services have expanded to several new areas. We now offer grief counseling and support, parenting and mentoring programs, and an abstinence-based program called Straight Talk. All our services remain confidential and free of charge.
1992
By 1992, a larger facility was necessary for the distribution of baby clothes and furnishings. The center then moved to 326 Broad Street, also in Red Bank, into a four-room suite with a full attic. The attic became converted into a clothing storage and distribution area.
2001
Thanks to annual fundraisers and the generosity of individual donors, we were able to buy a building of our own on January 4, 2001. The new building sits at 837 Broad Street (Route 35) in Shrewsbury, New Jersey. It is approximately one mile from the previous space, but proximity to the highway and bus route makes it much more convenient for our clients.
Our hard-working volunteers helped us completely renovate the building. With their assistance, it was cleaned, painted, and made handicap accessible. We moved in on April 21, 2001.
2008
In May 2008, Helping Hand Pregnancy Care Center changed its corporate name to Solutions Pregnancy & Health Center, Inc. This helped us to better reflect the types of services we provide to the community.
2010
In April 2010, Solutions Pregnancy & Health Center obtained a medical license to expand its free services. This allowed us to include sexually transmitted disease screening. We were also able to provide STD treatment. In compliance with the regulations of the Department of Health and Senior Services, we established a Medical Board of Directors. A Clinic Administrator and an RDMS (Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer) were also hired.
2015
Our mortgage was retired through the generosity and faithfulness of donors, and stewardship of SPHC leadership.
2017
Our name changed to Solutions Health & Pregnancy Center (SHPC) emphasizing our medical services.
In January 2017, Solutions Pregnancy & Health Center began the process of updating its marketing and branding. We did this with an eye on the future and to better reach the millennial generation. This led to the decision to change our name to Solutions Health & Pregnancy Center. Our hope is that this new name emphasizes the no-cost medical services we offer to our community.
2023
In late 2022, the Solutions board took a bold step of faith to open a satellite office near downtown Freehold to increase our visibility to foot traffic and make our services more accessible to women in Western Monmouth County.
