In November 1986, concerned citizens came together and established Blue Water Pregnancy Care Center. For over 3 decades, volunteers have been speaking truth into the lives of young people and the results have been amazing!

In March 2019, after years of discussion, BWPCC became Spero Center. Spero (pronounced sparrow) means HOPE in Latin. We offer HOPE to our young moms and dads, and our phone number spells HOPE.  This image of a bird inspires overcoming obstacles, freedom, and hope.  Spero is more inclusive of men and families and our services go beyond pregnancy help. We want to better fulfill our mission. It makes the clinic distinct, and we won’t be confused with other organizations! We are keeping everything else the same—mission, website, phone numbers, etc.

We continue to specialize in pregnancy diagnosis and options with compassion and practical help. We uphold the highest standards in accordance with national affiliations. We help nearly 800 men and women every year until their baby is 24 months old.

We’ve made many improvements over the years. We’ve implemented online scheduling, and there’s 24-hour hotline access! Our office is professional and private, yet warm. We have liberal open hours, and we’re open during the holidays (only closed 11 weekdays in the year).

Thanks to friends of the center, we converted to a medical clinic in April 2005 to better serve couples that face unplanned pregnancies – over 950 in Saint Clair County (SCC annually with an average of 300 abortions reported by SCC residents annually. 

Focus on The Family provided needed expertise, excellence, and an ultrasound system. The Community Foundation of SCC's Youth Advisory Council, along with other friends, funded the hiring, and certifications of nurses.

1986 – Center established

1987 – First location: 1018 Union Street (since demolished)

1990 – Old Tunnel Lumber Company building, 2325 10th Street

1994 – John E. Miller building, 1101 Military Street

2004 – 730 Griswold St. (became medical clinic)

2012 – 1211 Griswold St.

We are a non-political, non-profit, tax-exempt organization staffed mostly by volunteers and we rely completely on donations for financial and material support. Spero receives NO government funding. All gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Number of clients served

• 1987 – 36
• 1997 – 59
• 2002 – 86
• 2003 – 150 (Includes 23 men)
• 2005 – 275 (includes 22 men)
• 2006 – 458 (includes 9 men)
• 2017 – 722 (167 men, 401 babies, 2380 visits)

Spero Services:

Women deserve love and support during pregnancy. We offer practical, emotional and spiritual support to those facing unplanned pregnancy and sexual decisions, post abortion trauma, and unexpected parenting obligations. We provide encouragement, love and truth that promote better decisions, increase their confidence, and restructure dysfunctional parenting patterns. Often, they have hope for the first time.

All our services are strictly confidential and FREE of charge.