by Dean Backes
Special to The Leaven
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Following four years of changing minds and saving lives, the Kansas City Pregnancy Clinic here is on the move.
Needing room to grow and a more visible location than its previous location on N. 31st St., KCPC board president Ron Kelsey visited with Father Peter Jaramillo, SSA, of St. Mary-St. Anthony Parish in Kansas City, Kansas, before touring the facilities at the parish with Frank Lipovitz, chairman of the parish finance council.
Terms were agreed to and Kelsey, his wife Donna and the KCPC landed a new home on the first floor of the former St. Anthony School building at 636 Tauromee in Kansas City, Kansas, which housed Duchesne Clinic for about 35 years.
“I really appreciate Donna’s feminine touch with how warm the building feels,” Father Peter said of KCPC volunteer executive director Donna Kelsey. “It’s a welcoming environment for women who are coming to seek discernment about how they’re going to deal with their pregnancy.
“It’s gone very well, and we have a good relationship with [the clinic]. They’re excited about working with the parish community.”
Now the Kelseys, who belong to St. Patrick Parish in Kansas City, Kansas, and the KCPC are taking advantage of plenty of extra space and a strategic location to assist women who may be considering an abortion for their unborn child.
What is Donna Kelsey’s favorite part of the new location?
“The space!” she said. “It’s like you have room to breathe. It’s fun being at the clinic, but it’s a lot more fun because of having this space. Being able to serve the client.”
“We’ve got a kitchen and we’re serving them hot food, not just a snack,” she continued. “That has been a joy. We can put all of our baby clothing out so women can see what we have. They can see more choices than what we could put out before.”
By taking over its new location in July, the KCPC added about 2,500 square feet to its operation, which in itself created more privacy for its clients.
“It’s been a real blessing,” Ron Kelsey said of more than doubling the KCPC’s space. “We call this our permanent home. We have more than enough space to grow through the years and be quite comfortable.”
For more than three decades, the Duchesne Clinic took care of the property KCPC now resides in, so there was no real need for remodeling or repairs before moving in. Along with updating the building’s heating and air conditioning units and bringing in gas cards and a new sonogram bed, the KCPC has created a list of beautification projects.
The Kelseys, who were seven months pregnant with their first of eight children when Roe v. Wade became law in 1973, want to improve the entrance to the building, replace a chain link fence with wrought iron fencing and eventually tear up and replace some of the building’s carpeting.
KCPC volunteers would also like to add a food pantry and anything else that helps create a culture of life.
In order to pay for the above projects and run the KCPC, the clinic relies on the generosity of donors. Ron Kelsey said those wanting to contribute can now take advantage of a new Kansas state law that allows donors to claim a 70% tax credit.
Also looking for volunteers to work the baby closet, clean its facility and complete other tasks as needed, the KCPC is asking for $100 contributions in exchange for the $70 tax credit they earn from that donation. Staff will then help donors complete the necessary forms to claim the tax credit.
Since the Dobbs decision and the failure of the “Value Them Both” amendment in 2022, Kansas has become a destination state for women across the country seeking an abortion. The KCPC has recently opened its second location at 10200 W. 75th St. in Merriam, with an ultrasound machine donated by the Knights of Columbus expected soon.
With their KCK center now in closer proximity to I-35 and I-70, the KCPC is in a strategic location to assist women who may be searching for answers.
Father Peter said the church will be there for them.
“I want to be the pastor for [the clinic] here because this is my parish community and they’re on our premises,” he said. “I want to be a visible figure with them. They can rely on my support.
“I totally believe in what they’re doing and I’m excited about their being with us.”
