Reachout Women's Center: 50 years of serving women with love and compassion

By Carissa Krautscheid
Photos by Michelle Rooney

Melissa O’Donnell, RN, is the Nurse Manager at Reachout Women’s Center and she loves connecting with women of all walks of life who are pregnant and in need of support.

Reachout was founded in 1973 after the legalization of abortion in the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision. For nearly 50 years, thousands of lives have been impacted by the work of this vital ministry. As a local organization, Reachout serves over two thousand families each year.

“Our mission is to support women,” said Melissa, “emotionally, physically, and spiritually.”

Reachout does this by offering free and confidential counseling, pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, material assistance for diapers, formula, and clothing, layette baskets for newborns, and referrals to local parenting mentors, shelters, and scholarships for post-abortion retreats with Rachel’s Vineyard. Additionally, Reachout educates women about their own bodies and facilitates outreach opportunities within the community.

The staff at Reachout know how important it is to give women resources and support. “I find a lot of women who are looking for abortion services because of their circumstances,” said Melissa. “It’s nothing to do with the pregnancy itself. It’s more that they’re homeless, or they’re looking for rent assistance, or they don’t have health insurance. It’s important to treat the whole woman, and not just the pregnancy. By doing that, we’re actually helping both mom and baby.”



Melissa administers ultrasounds and has been present to countless women when they see the baby in their womb for the first time. All women who come to Reachout are able to see the baby growing in their womb. There is a deep realization and connection that women feel when looking at the ultrasound image of their baby.

“A lot of minds have been changed just by the image shown on the ultrasound,” said Melissa. “I don’t think people actually realize the impact that a picture really has.”

Reahout’s Executive Director, RJ Saavedra, emphasized the importance and right of every expecting mother to see her baby through an ultrasound. “Once you see your baby on the screen, you know,” said RJ. “Our purpose is to provide honest answers to questions, to educate women in hope that they have a change of heart to carry their baby to full-term.”

Reachout provides a safe place for women to come talk about what’s happening in their lives and to receive competent, compassionate medical care. “They end up coming back to us,” said Melissa, “for medical or material support, and to introduce us to their babies. It’s wonderful - the additional care and hope that we provide to women so that they really feel the support and love from our organization.”

Women facing unexpected pregnancies and challenging circumstances are feeling a broad array of confusion, fear, doubt, and anxiety. “We provide a listening ear to hear what’s going on,” said Melissa. “That personal touch really makes an impact. We want our patients to trust us and to know that we have their best interests at heart. We want to give them appropriate medical care and a sense of security.”

On June 24, 2022, Roe v. Wade was overturned and now the legal status of abortion is decided by each state. “In this Post-Roe world,” said Melissa, “we should be asking ourselves: what kind of a society do we want to be? In the midst of polarizing politics, we are forgetting the actual people who are impacted. We should be focusing on them. We’re really looking to empower women. We offer non-judgemental, non-discriminatory care and compassion. Everyone coming to Reachout has a need and we are here to meet their needs.”

To continue meeting the varied and complex needs of local women, Reachout is planning on hiring a Family Care Specialist, who will provide direct counseling and social services to clients facing unexpected pregnancies, with a focus on expectant parents making the best decision for their unborn baby.

The community is invited to get involved, to learn more about Reachout’s mission, and to support this life-changing ministry by attending their Reachout for Life Gala on November 6!

Supporting both mothers and their babies through a time of uncertainty, the staff and volunteers at Reachout are present to the most vulnerable in our society. The anxiety that women feel before they come to Reachout is transformed into joy and peace, knowing that they found a haven of support and encouragement during all stages of life.

In October, Respect Life Month, we pray for all mothers and babies in need. The U.S. Bishops invite us to “consider more deeply why every human life is valuable and to reflect on how to build a culture that protects life from conception to natural death.”


Sandra Tadeo, RJ Saavedra, and Melissa O'Donnell are the small but mighty team that make Reachout's mission possible along with countless volunteers and donors.

Originally published in Catalina Foothills Catholic magazine.