History
The pro-life movement in Fremont really started in 1973 with the Roe vs. Wade decision of the Supreme Court. A group of individuals were shocked by the decision to legalize abortion, so they started to investigate options to assist in a compassionate way. Through research, they found a group in Toledo, Ohio, called Alternatives to Abortion International (AAI). They were quite inspired by this group and started meeting locally on a regular basis. Heartbeat of Fremont was incorporated in May, 1973. They picked the name Heartbeat from a magazine published by AAI and adopted the logo of the small heart surrounded by the two larger hearts, which represents the child and parents. The founding mothers are Pat Miller, Sally Molyet, Shirley Robison, Elvira Kolhoff, Vicki Hoffman, Sandy Evans Myers, Coletta Miller, Helen Oprie, Marie Wagner, Joe Rupp, Rosie Lonsway, and Lou Dailey.
Their effort was to start a 24-hour hotline which came directly into a volunteer’s home. Their objective was to deal with each client by listening to her concerns and sending her vital information. Sometimes the Heartbeat volunteers would invite the young ladies to their homes or meet in public places, such as restaurants and parks. The pregnancy testing was done by a local physician and results were taken back to the client in need. A few original supporters of Heartbeat housed girls in their homes for a period of time and assisted with the delivery of the child.
Funding to support their efforts was done by organizing bake sales and garage sales, and by written solicitation. In 1980, Elvira and Norm Kolhoff started the first geranium sale. The flowers were sold by parochial school children to family and friends. Heartbeat of Fremont shares the profit with the local parochial schools which gives the children and teachers added incentive. The geranium sale is still a current fundraising event for Heartbeat.
In September of 1986, after much prayer and consideration, our first office was opened at 406 Croghan Street in Fremont. The Lord blessed this group with a great location at a very reasonable cost. The office was busy immediately and a big help for those who worked the hotline. The volunteers now had a place to conduct the pregnancy testing and keep needed baby supplies. Shortly thereafter they discontinued the hotline service.
The next step in faith was in July of 1989. The Board of Directors decided to hire a part-time Director to lead their efforts in the office and community. They felt a need to establish office policies, keep accurate records, and train and supervise all volunteers. They also hired a part-time Office Administrator.
In 1992, Heartbeat of Fremont made another office change to 615½ Croghan Street. The office was open 10 hours weekly and offered free pregnancy tests, education, and practical assistance to families in need throughout Sandusky County. The operating budget for 1997 had exceeded $30,000 and the ministry had a membership following of over 700 families. The office was staffed with 2 part-time employees and had over 40 wonderful volunteers. Heartbeat of Fremont offered services to over 500 clients in need.
In December of 1997, we moved to 118 N. Arch Street. This location allowed Heartbeat to expand their services once again and add the Bridges Program, Abstinence Education Program, and the Father Factor Program.
In October of 2009 we moved to Oak Harbor Road, to expand our services yet again and convert to a pregnancy medical clinic and provide medical services under the supervision and direction of a licensed physician. In September 2010, after many months of training we became a medical clinic offering limited obstetrical ultrasound to diagnose pregnancy called Hope Medical.
In December of 2013 we opened our doors to a second center located in Tiffin. What a blessing to extend our ministry and services to the Tiffin area where there are TWO colleges!
In the Summer of 2015, we moved our Fremont location to 1243 Napoleon Street. This location has allowed us to decrease overhead expenses and provided more services to directly serve our clients.
In December of 2022, we had another move to a location to best suit the growing needs of the ministry. We were afforded more classroom space, office space, and great rooms for the nurse and client advocate to share with everyone that comes through our doors.
Currently, we have 12 part-time employees. We have a receptionist and a client advocate at both our Fremont and Tiffin locations, a nurse manager, a bookkeeper, 2 abstinence educators, a parenting program coordinator, an events coordinator, a campus ministry coordinator, an abortion recovery coordinator, an office administrator and a full-time executive director on staff. We also have very faithful volunteers that help with various responsibilities and tasks. Our prayers are to continue our focus on LIFE and we feel confident that the Lord will continue to bless this ministry as He has the past fifty years!
Their effort was to start a 24-hour hotline which came directly into a volunteer’s home. Their objective was to deal with each client by listening to her concerns and sending her vital information. Sometimes the Heartbeat volunteers would invite the young ladies to their homes or meet in public places, such as restaurants and parks. The pregnancy testing was done by a local physician and results were taken back to the client in need. A few original supporters of Heartbeat housed girls in their homes for a period of time and assisted with the delivery of the child.
Funding to support their efforts was done by organizing bake sales and garage sales, and by written solicitation. In 1980, Elvira and Norm Kolhoff started the first geranium sale. The flowers were sold by parochial school children to family and friends. Heartbeat of Fremont shares the profit with the local parochial schools which gives the children and teachers added incentive. The geranium sale is still a current fundraising event for Heartbeat.
In September of 1986, after much prayer and consideration, our first office was opened at 406 Croghan Street in Fremont. The Lord blessed this group with a great location at a very reasonable cost. The office was busy immediately and a big help for those who worked the hotline. The volunteers now had a place to conduct the pregnancy testing and keep needed baby supplies. Shortly thereafter they discontinued the hotline service.
The next step in faith was in July of 1989. The Board of Directors decided to hire a part-time Director to lead their efforts in the office and community. They felt a need to establish office policies, keep accurate records, and train and supervise all volunteers. They also hired a part-time Office Administrator.
In 1992, Heartbeat of Fremont made another office change to 615½ Croghan Street. The office was open 10 hours weekly and offered free pregnancy tests, education, and practical assistance to families in need throughout Sandusky County. The operating budget for 1997 had exceeded $30,000 and the ministry had a membership following of over 700 families. The office was staffed with 2 part-time employees and had over 40 wonderful volunteers. Heartbeat of Fremont offered services to over 500 clients in need.
In December of 1997, we moved to 118 N. Arch Street. This location allowed Heartbeat to expand their services once again and add the Bridges Program, Abstinence Education Program, and the Father Factor Program.
In October of 2009 we moved to Oak Harbor Road, to expand our services yet again and convert to a pregnancy medical clinic and provide medical services under the supervision and direction of a licensed physician. In September 2010, after many months of training we became a medical clinic offering limited obstetrical ultrasound to diagnose pregnancy called Hope Medical.
In December of 2013 we opened our doors to a second center located in Tiffin. What a blessing to extend our ministry and services to the Tiffin area where there are TWO colleges!
In the Summer of 2015, we moved our Fremont location to 1243 Napoleon Street. This location has allowed us to decrease overhead expenses and provided more services to directly serve our clients.
In December of 2022, we had another move to a location to best suit the growing needs of the ministry. We were afforded more classroom space, office space, and great rooms for the nurse and client advocate to share with everyone that comes through our doors.
Currently, we have 12 part-time employees. We have a receptionist and a client advocate at both our Fremont and Tiffin locations, a nurse manager, a bookkeeper, 2 abstinence educators, a parenting program coordinator, an events coordinator, a campus ministry coordinator, an abortion recovery coordinator, an office administrator and a full-time executive director on staff. We also have very faithful volunteers that help with various responsibilities and tasks. Our prayers are to continue our focus on LIFE and we feel confident that the Lord will continue to bless this ministry as He has the past fifty years!
