by Productions | Oct 30, 2019 | Clarity
Clarity is a non-profit organization completely funded by local individuals, businesses and churches who support our mission to compassionately engage, educate and inspire our communities with the truth regarding holistic sexual health and the value of human life. One of the many services offered by Clarity is material assistance, some of which is donated by our supporters. This is just one way our supporters can become involved in the work of Clarity!
Donations we do accept:
- Maternity clothes (new or gently used)
- Diapers, pull ups
- Wipes
- Baby Food and Formula (not expired or opened)
- Strollers (new or gently used)
- Baby clothes (summer & winter, new or gently used)
- Baby gates (new or gently used)
- High Chairs (new only)
- Breast pumps (new only)
- Baby Wash and lotion
- Baby bottles
- Pacifiers
- Kids clothes (Columbus Pregnancy Services location only)
- Diaper bags
- Toddler beds
- Car seats (new only)
- Pack n Plays (new or gently used)
- Baby bath towels and washcloths
- Burp cloths
- Small gifts for Mom to place in Baby-Shower-in-a-Bag (new)
- Socks and Shoes (new or gently used)
- Bassinets
- Sleep Sacks
- Pack n Play sheets
- Crib sheets
We do not accept:
- Cribs (New or used)
- Used Car seats
- Baby powder
- Tylenol, vitamins or other medications
- Cotton Swabs
- Walkers
- Johnny Jump-ups
- Bicycle carriers
- Used stuffed animals or any stuffed animal with a potential choking hazard
- Lavender fragranced wash and lotion
The above items are not accepted as they potentially present liability issues and for some items, safety issues. We want to use caution as we share what is donated to us.
Clarity has the opportunity to share many items with our clients because of the generosity of our communities and donors. In 2018, we were able to share 4,144 items with our clients throughout our six counties. (One dozen diapers would count as one item, as well as multiples of clothing would be one, but actually may be 10 pieces.)
by Productions | Jun 26, 2019 | Clarity, STI
First time visitors to Clarity Testing Clinic often wonder what the visit will be like. We want you to know, so here is an inside look at what happens at the clinic.
Clarity Testing Clinic offers confidential sexual health medical services for men and women. The clinic provides testing and treatment for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Pap smears, pregnancy tests and limited obstetrical ultrasound.
Who visits Clarity Testing Clinic?
- Men and women—almost an even distribution between the two sexes and anywhere between the ages of 13-70+.
- Referrals from our centers in Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Jackson, Jennings and Shelby counties
- Members of the LGBTQ community
- People seeking confidential testing outside of their community—such as Bloomington, Indianapolis, Ft. Wayne and even out of state
- Women desiring a pregnancy test and limited OB Ultrasound
- We also collaborate with the Bartholomew County Health Department, helping to treat partners of those who have tested positive for an STI like Chlamydia, Gonorrhea or Syphilis.
What are the reasons that prompt people to come to Clarity Testing Clinic?
- Individuals who are sexually active and seeking out routine STI screening
- People who were made aware that a previous partner tested positive for an infection and they are worried that they may have been infected
- Individuals experiencing symptoms of an STI that appear after a sexual encounter
- Those responding to public service announcements that encourage the sexually active to get tested
- Women concerned about possible pregnancy or wanting to confirm a possible pregnancy
- We are a free STD Screening Clinic of the Indiana State Department of Health for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea.
What is a typical visit like?
The clinic is a cozy space that is calming and peaceful, staffed with non-judgmental, caring and compassionate medical professionals and volunteers. We take measures to provide exceptional confidentiality. A visit usually takes about an hour.
During the visit a Sexual Behavior Risk Inventory will be completed to help the medical professionals understand the types of infections you may be at risk for. A medical history will be gathered of your current concern and symptoms, sexual health practices and prevention activities, along with other health related information.
Together with your healthcare provider, a decision will be made about the tests that are important for you to obtain. Specimens will be collected accordingly. For those patients who are experiencing symptoms of an infection, an exam will be performed. For those patients who are seeking STI screening and are currently not experiencing symptoms, the exam will be omitted.
The types of specimens that are collected depend on the type of test to be performed. Specimen types include:
- Urine sample: Pregnancy Test, Urinalysis, male Chlamydia, Gonnorhea and Trichomonas testing (Yes, no swab test for men!)
- Blood draw sample: HIV, Herpes, Hepatitis B and C and Syphilis testing
- Throat Swab: Chlamydia and Gonnorhea testing
- Anal Swab: Chlamydia and Gonnorhea testing
- Vaginal swab: Chlamydia and Gonnorhea, Bacterial Vaginosis and Trichomonas testing
- Swab of a lesion to test for Herpes
- Cervical cells sample: PAP testing with/without HPV testing, Gonnorhea and Chlamydia testing
What is the cost of a visit?
There is no cost for office visits and exams if needed. Rapid result tests that are performed onsite are provided free of charge. Other tests that are sent to the lab incur a small lab fee that is passed on to the patient. Those tests and prices include:
- HIV Confirmation: $12
- Syphilis: $7
- Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Combo test: $18
- Liquid based PAP: $14
- HPV: $35
- Herpes: $25
- Hepatitis B, C: $60
Fees can be billed to health insurance or can be paid by cash, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover cards. Funds are also available to assist clients with limited ability to pay.
How long does it take to get test results?
Testing for HIV, Bacterial Vaginosis, Trichomonas, Urinalysis and Pregnancy are all rapid tests that yield results in 15 minutes or less and will be shared with patients during the visit.
Other specimens are sent to an off-site laboratory and most results are ready within a week. Tests being sent to the lab include: Syphilis, HIV confirmation, Chlamydia, Gonnorhea, Herpes, PAP, HPV, Trichomonas for men, and Hepatitis B and C. Follow-up appointments are made a week later for obtaining laboratory test results and treatment if necessary.
Is treatment also provided?
Yes, treatment for a laboratory confirmed infection is provided. Treatment for suspected infections may also be provided based on the health provider’s discretion. Free treatment for Gonnorhea and Chlamydia is available for patients that meet specific guidelines. Otherwise, prescriptions are called to a pharmacy of the patient’s choice and paid for by them. Free treatment is also provided for genital warts after a confirmed diagnosis is obtained by our physician.
At Clarity, our goal is to affirm each person’s value and worth. We strive to provide holistic care, knowing that a sexually transmitted infection or pregnancy may only be one piece of your concern. We are ready to provide a listening ear, encouragement, resources like referrals for counseling or support groups or educational materials.
A recent patient left us this comment on their feedback form, “Thank you for making me feel comfortable in a difficult, uncomfortable situation.”
Come on in. No need to be afraid. Get yourself tested. Request your appointment today.
by Productions | Jun 6, 2019 | Clarity
Each year we offer two 10-week paid internships for emerging leaders to gain an inside point of view of the not-for-profit sector. This opportunity has opened many doors for our interns to serve with other local not-for-profit organizations and to often give them another perspective when moving forward in their areas of study.
Taylor Gaskill (pictured on the left) began with us on June 3. Taylor graduated 9th in her class from Columbus East High School (she’ll be the youngest intern we’ve had thus far), and she even coordinated her senior project to benefit Clarity. We asked Taylor a few questions to get to know here a bit better:
- What’s your dream job?
- What do you hope to gain from this internship experience?
- I hope to learn about non-profit organizations and also gain experience in the workplace, working alongside adults as I pursue college and life afterwards.
- Any future plans?
- To attend Valparaiso University in the fall of 2019
Janae Blackerby (pictured on the right) arrived Monday, May 20. Janae recently graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from IUSE in New Albany. She lives in Seymour and attends Cornerstone Church there. She has a heart for our ministry and sees how an internship with Clarity can help her hone her plans for the future. We also asked Janae a few questions to learn more about her:
- What’s your dream job?
- I want to work as a mental health counselor specializing in marriage and family therapy.
- What do you hope to gain from this internship experience?
- I hope to learn how nonprofits work from behind the scenes. I look forward to working with each department head and gaining experience specifically in how Clarity uses their education, intervention, and restoration programs to communicate their vision to the surrounding communities. I am most excited about working with the education program and helping with research on the PIE project.
- Any future plans?
- My immediate future plans include attending graduate school to get a masters in counseling next year and my long-term plans are to get a job as a counselor in the southern Indiana area, get married, and start a family!
Both interns will serve in a variety of capacities throughout the organization for 10 weeks. Please say hello and introduce yourself when you see them around!
by Productions | Jul 13, 2018 | Clarity
Clarity is honored to have two interns joining us this summer: Olivia Mohr (pictured on the left) and Audriana Everhart (right). Both will be rotating through each department at Clarity to get a thorough understanding of non-profit work and our organization as a whole. Please join us in welcoming them to our team for the summer!
Meet Olivia Mohr
Hometown: Shelbyville, IN
Family: I have a younger brother, Jarrett, who is going to be attending UIndy in the fall. My parents, Rod and Dee, are the best and are so supportive of all of my dreams. We also have two dogs who are a part of our family, Kensie and Maggie.
School: Anderson University
Major(s): Social Work
Graduation Date: May 2019
Hobbies: I love reading, painting, and binge watching Say Yes to the Dress.
What is your dream job?
I would love to work with children at Riley Children’s Hospital, helping families cope with whatever health diagnosis their child received and providing hope and support to them through their healing process. Additionally, I would love to work with service animals. I am an animal lover and it has been my dream to have my own trained service dog that I can use in my work!
What do you hope to gain from this internship?
I hope to gain a better understanding of non-profit ministry and learn more about the communities each center is in. Also, I hope to learn about how to function well in a healthy team.
What is one thing you are just absolutely no good at doing?
Singing… but it’s one of my favorite things to do. Sorry to anyone who has ever spent time in the car with me 🙂
What’s one of the scariest things you’ve ever done?
I went cave-diving with my youth group during my junior year of high school. We went through a portion of the cave called the meat grinder because it was so narrow. While you were on your stomach, your back was scraping the ceiling. For someone that is as claustrophobic as me, that was definitely not a fun experience!
What are some things that make you really happy?
The sunshine, animals, going on walks, diet coke and spending quality time with people I love.
Meet Audriana Everhart
Hometown: Shelbyville, IN
Family: I am an only child; my parents are divorced. However, I am really close to my Grandma Joyce, my Uncle Sam and my cousin Kayla.
School: IUPUC
Major(s): Psychology
Graduation Date: 2019
Hobbies: Reading, listening to music and binge watching Netflix
What is your dream job?
To work in a hospital with patients with mental illness or work with children and teens that have learning disabilities.
What do you hope to gain from this internship?
What I hope to gain from this experience is a chance to see what it’s like to work in an office, and how to communicate with clients to where they feel comfortable confessing any problems or concerns they have.
If you could hop on a plane today and fly anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I would fly to Japan I would to have the chance to see their cultural sights and experience the fashion districts and museums.
Do you have a favorite quote to share with us?
“Fiction reveals truths that reality obscures”, meaning you can always find a little truth in a work of fiction even if you don’t see it at the time. It can also mean a work of fiction can help change your perception or understanding of a topic or idea.
Be honest, what song or band is your guilty pleasure?
That would be the Dixie Chicks. While the music is a little older, I love the lyrics and how it’s un-mixed country; a lot of country now is combined with pop rock or even rap. I also enjoy their vocals in their music – very well harmonized.
by Productions | Apr 20, 2018 | Clarity, Volunteer
Did you know that Clarity exists because of the time and efforts of our volunteers?
Over 300 volunteers give more than 12,000 hours of service to the organization each year. They answer phones, counsel clients, schedule appointments, clean the centers, repair vehicles, stuff mailings, and more. Some volunteers give a specific time each week, while others help out every once in a while with special projects. Some are students, while others have a bit more life experience. No matter their age and stage of life, Clarity values each and every one of our volunteers.
Clarity is a regional organization with a mission to compassionately engage, educate and inspire our communities with the truth regarding sexual integrity and the value of human life. We help people to look beyond their current situation and see the possibilities available to them. We offer hope and restoration; not only believing the potential that lies within each individual, but coming alongside and helping them to realize that potential.
Clarity strives toward this mission by offering community funded services and programs that include pregnancy and STI testing, friendly client advocates, educational opportunities, and after abortion assistance in the six communities we serve: Columbus, Greensburg, Nashville, North Vernon, Seymour and Shelbyville.
All of these services and programs are made possible to you by the service of our generous volunteers. We say all of this to say THANK YOU to our wonderful volunteers; who are so giving of their time and talents to support YOU and other individuals in our communities!
by Productions | Apr 18, 2018 | Clarity
An integral part of all Clarity’s educational curriculum is to encourage students to have open and honest conversations with their trusted, go-to adults about important topics such as human sexuality.
Recently, Senate Bill 65 (SB65) was authored with the intention to ensure parents are aware when curriculum regarding human sexuality is being taught in schools. The hope was that parents would step up to the responsibility to be the primary voice in their children’s life on this critical topic.
Wonderful intentions spurred the writing of this bill. However, current Indiana law “requires a teacher to teach abstinence from sexual activity outside of marriage as the expected standard for all school age children” (see: Indiana Code: http://iga.in.gov/static-documents/2/e/6/6/2e661a52/TITLE20_AR30_ch5.pdf).
The original language of SB65 stated that parents/custodial adults must complete a permission slip before their child could receive any program/education on the topic of human sexuality. This would include Clarity’s I Decide for Me program which teaches holistic health and character and behavior skills to avoid sexual risk taking.
When we learned of this bill, we immediately thought of the many Hoosier students who do not have the advantage of a plugged in parent as well as how, in the hustle and bustle of family life, a permission slip may not get signed/returned to the school, even by a very engaged parent. What then? These students would be dismissed from the valuable life-saving information provided by Clarity’s I Decide for Me Sexual risk avoidance program.
Our concern was that students with parents who are the least engaged would miss the critical health message Clarity has to offer about the intrinsic value and worth of every human life. These students would be dismissed from our positive message simply because a form wasn’t returned. It seemed to us that this legislation actually discriminated against the already disadvantaged student.
A logical win-win was proposed by Rep. Tim Wesco who understood the unintended consequence of well-meaning authored bill. Rep. Wesco proposed a creative way to have parents interested in learning more about the curriculum being taught in their child’s school to be able to make well-informed choices regarding that curriculum while at the same time making sure that students get to hear positive messaging by default, should a form fail to be returned.
According to the amended SB65, schools will now be required to offer a 21 day opt-in only parent permission slip for instruction regarding human sexuality. If a parent permission slip is not returned, a second opt-out form will be sent giving parents 10 days to return a parental permission form to remove the child from the program. By default, should no form be returned after this 31 day procedure, the student will receive the curriculum.
The unintended consequences of the original bill’s language was averted thanks to Sen. Greg Walker, who alerted Clarity to this bill as it was being debated, and Rep. Tim Wesco, who worked thoughtfully and diligently to protect the disadvantaged student.
This new bill provides ample opportunity for concerned parents to investigate and consider the nature of the curriculum on human sexuality being taught to their children in all Indiana schools. Clarity is excited for the opportunity to share more information regarding our program with parents. What a wonderful opportunity to get to engage an audience we have been championing for so long.
