Detroit — A crisis pregnancy center with roots in southeast Detroit has announced plans to open a second location on the southwest side of the city.

Image of God Crisis Pregnancy Center, based out of St. Augustine and St. Monica Parish on Detroit’s southeast side, will open a satellite location at Holy Redeemer Parish early next year.

“There is not a crisis pregnancy center that I’m aware of within the tri-county area that is focused on the Hispanic population,” which exists in large numbers in southwest Detroit, said Deacon Joe Iskra, the pregnancy center’s director.

Deacon Iskra said Auxiliary Bishop Donald Hanchon, former pastor of Holy Redeemer, was impressed with the center’s success in responding to the needs of women in its current location, and urged him to consider expanding in southwest Detroit.

The new volunteer-run center aims to open Jan. 3, 2015, but needs to raise $3,000 to purchase materials such as parenting tapes, DVD players, pamphlets and racks for the baby clothing the center provides.

The center will counsel mothers to continue their pregnancy, as well as provide material assistance, parenting instruction and educational and employment training scholarships. Parents are also encouraged to make a “chastity pledge” in keeping with the Church’s teachings on sexuality, Deacon Iskra said.

“We are a Catholic ministry. We start with prayer, end with prayer, and we dedicate our centers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary,” he added. “Everything we do is consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church.”

Since Image of God Crisis Pregnancy Center first opened at St. Augustine and St. Monica Parish in 2011, approximately 240 babies have been born with its support. Twenty mothers have been given scholarships through the American Red Cross, and 16 of those are currently employed, Deacon Iskra said.

A banquet will be held Oct. 16 at Sacred Heart Major Seminary to raise funds for the new center. To RSVP, call (313) 923-8018.