Laura Buddenberg, executive director of Essential Pregnancy Services in Omaha, speaks before a crowd gathered for a Dec. 12 open house for a new EPS location at Catholic Charities’ St. Teresa of Calcutta Campus near 93rd Street and Bedford Avenue in Omaha.

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New EPS location on Catholic Charities campus offers women multiple services in one location

Essential Pregnancy Services (EPS) showed off its new location – nestled in with Catholic Charities of Omaha at 3171 N. 93rd St. – with a Dec. 12 open house. 

Together the two organizations will be able to offer women an array of services all in one stop at Catholic Charities’ St. Teresa of Calcutta Campus, said Laura Buddenberg, executive director of EPS. 

About 125 people gathered outside for a 10 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony and for Archbishop George J. Lucas to dedicate a sculpture in front of the building.

Archbishop George J. Lucas blesses a sculpture called “Maternal Bond.” The sculpture will be part of a plaza where people can pray.

The sculpture, by Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz, depicts the Blessed Mother closely cradling the infant Jesus and is called “Maternal Bond.” It was funded by longtime EPS donors Mike and Suzy Lawler of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish in Omaha. 

The new EPS location replaces a former site at 6220 Maple Street. Pregnancy counseling and maternity and infant supplies have been offered at the new location since Dec. 5. 

Donors, including the Ryan Foundation of Omaha, have funded the approximately $1.125 million construction and renovation, Buddenberg said. The space is being leased by Catholic Charities. It includes 7,500 square feet for a boutique and administrative offices and 600 square feet of storage. 

The collaboration between Catholic Charities and EPS will give EPS clients easy access to Catholic Charities’ food pantry, microbusiness program and immigration services. Catholic Charities clients will be able to participate in parenting classes and can find maternity and baby items, all provided by EPS. 

The organizations will share some spaces and look for more ways to collaborate, Buddenberg said. 

EPS, she said, is “humbled, grateful and thrilled to be here.”

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