SOUTH TX PREGNANCY CENTER

Ministry of life

Longtime educator expands her passion for teaching by helping young women

Story and photos by Felicia Frazar

Janice Weaver may have retired from teaching, but her job as an educator continues. Just four days after retiring from her role as a teacher at Judson ISD, Weaver changed course and began her work at the South Texas Pregnancy Care Center, starting as the client service manager and rising up to her current role as the executive director.

In any role she has served at the center, her job is to help women of all ages by educating them and helping them make the most knowledgeable choice.

“At the South Texas Pregnancy Center, we offer real choices,” she said. “We educate young moms with the facts about abortion, adoption and parenting so they can make an informed decision.”

Weaver has spent a lifetime in education. She began her career as an elementary school teacher. She taught for six years prior to her family relocating to Seguin, where she joined Seguin ISD. During her two decades with the district, she taught mostly elementary students, but then moved to the sixth-grade center when it opened with a focus on math.

She then made the move to Judson ISD where she spent the next eight years, and eventually retired from teaching.

Upon hearing of her impending retirement, the director of the South Texas Pregnancy Center approached Weaver, asking her to join their team. Weaver was no stranger to the program, as she was a long-time financial supporter of the local non-profit.

“When the people started it, they were going around to different churches, talking about the mission and what they wanted to accomplish,” she said. “I was teaching school. I couldn’t come volunteer my time because I had a full time job, but I became a financial supporter.”

She assisted with the fundraisers, helping with flowers for the banquets and making centerpieces for the tables. However, the offer to continue educating and helping women was an opportunity Weaver couldn’t pass up.

“I love this ministry, I love what they do, and I am very pro life,” she said. “I am big into education. I think our young people need to know what is going on with a pregnancy, what is going on with their body and also how to be the very best parent they can be.”

Four days after she retired from teaching, Weaver jumped into her work at the center as the client service manager. A year-and-a-half later, she was named the executive director.

“I just believe every child is a gift from God and that there is somebody out there, whether it is that parent or an adoptive parent, that are out there waiting to love that little one,” she said.

Among the services the center offers are administering pregnancy tests, counseling options, educational courses, ultrasounds, a baby boutique and community outreach.

“Our mission is to save these babies, but also restore the family,” Weaver said. “I enjoy watching people grow and improve their lives. I enjoy when we know that we have made a difference in the life of a child. It is so rewarding.”