New director aims to raise awareness of local long-standing pregnancy resource center
By Ben Cox
Photos/Ben Cox
Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center has served women in Jacksonville for nearly four decades, but its new director says many residents are still unaware of what the organization does.
Brigitte Emme, who began her role this past July, is working to change that by expanding outreach, strengthening partnerships and rebuilding volunteer involvement at the center, located just blocks from Jacksonville Memorial Hospital.
Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center is part of a network of 11 pregnancy resource centers across the region. The Jacksonville site is both the westernmost and the oldest, having operated for 38 years.
“We’re here, and we’ve been here a long time,” Emme says. “Our goal now is to make sure people know what services we offer and how we can help.”
Emme brings 30 years of nursing experience to the position, including 18 years in labor and delivery. She moved to Jacksonville after the labor and delivery unit at the hospital where she previously worked closed, a trend she said reflects the broader reduction of obstetric care in rural areas.
After briefly considering retirement, Emme says she felt drawn to continue working with women and families in a new capacity.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center provides free pregnancy tests, limited ultrasounds, parenting and pregnancy education, and material support through its baby boutique. The center is faith-based and also offers optional spiritual classes for clients seeking that support.
All services are free and funded entirely through donations. The center does not bill insurance.
A registered nurse provides ultrasounds at the center twice a month, and pregnancy tests are available during regular operating hours. In December 2025, Living Alternatives doubled its ultrasound capacity, allowing more clients to be seen sooner.
Once a pregnancy is confirmed, clients are referred to local obstetricians. Ultrasounds are limited and follow established medical guidelines.
The center serves women of all ages and income levels, including first-time mothers and women with multiple children. Clients come from Morgan County and surrounding areas, including Greene, Scott and Pike counties.
In addition to clinical and educational services, Living Alternatives hosts a monthly curbside distribution on the fourth Tuesday of each month. The event provides hygiene items and other necessities, and recently included the distribution of donated winter coats for children.
Emme says collaboration with other local organizations is a key part of the center’s mission. When clients need services the center does not provide—such as food assistance or support for older children—staff members make referrals to other agencies.
“We’re a resource center,” Emme says. “That means connecting people to help wherever it exists.”
Living Alternatives relies heavily on community support and hosts three major fundraisers annually: the January “Change for Hope” baby bottle drive, a walk scheduled for May 16 this year and a fall banquet held in October. This year’s banquet will return to Hamilton’s Catering after a three-year absence.
Emme says that rebuilding the center’s volunteer base is one of her top priorities. Volunteers assist with curbside events, organizing the baby boutique and mentoring clients. The center is also seeking male mentors to restart a fathers program that previously operated.
Currently, the center is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Emme works 24 hours per week and hopes to expand hours as staffing allows.
Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center is located at 1440 West Walnut St., Suite A-3, in Jacksonville. Appointments for pregnancy tests, ultrasounds and classes can be scheduled at pregnancyresourcecenter.org.
The center can be reached by phone at 217-245-9340 and maintains active Facebook (search “Pregnancy Resource Center of Jacksonville”) and Instagram pages.
