COLUSA, CA. (MPG) — ELEO is Greek for mercy, and that is the guiding principle behind a new pregnancy and family support center that opened Sept. 9 in Colusa.
The center celebrated its launch with a ribbon cutting attended by about 30 people.
Kerry Haynes from Congressman Doug LaMalfa’s office presented a certificate, along with Jack Cunningham from the Colusa County Chamber of Commerce.
“ELEO is something that Colusa has been in need of for a while,” said Jason McMullan of the Ministerial Association of California Counties. “It is meant to care for moms that are in the situation of making a decision of having a baby.”
McMullan explained that the center is designed to support parents from pregnancy through early childhood. Services include lactation counseling, parenting groups, and doulas, whom he described as paraprofessional supporters who walk alongside mothers through pregnancy and delivery.
A signature feature of the program is the baby boutique, where parents can earn points by completing classes and redeem them for items such as clothes, wipes, diapers, formula, cribs, and strollers.
“So as they improve themselves, they are rewarded with items for their baby,” McMullan said.
The center also offers classes on breastfeeding, co-parenting, life skills, and postpartum mental health, along with support for reproductive loss and information about adoption.
“We wanted to show mercy and grace,” McMullan said. “A lot of families get mistreated or lost in the system. We want to show them a premium place to be cared for. And this is the place.”
ELEO works closely with PneumaCare, located next door, to help families navigate services.
“We frequently find that people have trouble navigating services and getting the resources they need,” McMullan said. “Sometimes there is just one thing that parents get caught up on. That could be something very simple, and we can help them get through that and move forward.”
McMullan said the goal is to strengthen families.
“What we are really trying to do is to encourage parents to raise a happy and healthy baby and create happy and healthy families,” he said.
ELEO is located at 231 5th Street in Colusa. Hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call (530) 473-9830 or visit eleo.org.