Three days after voters decided to allow abortions to resume in Missouri after a 2-year moratorium, a new pregnancy resource center officially opened its doors in Troy with the opposite goal in mind.

“When you think about the term Oasis, maybe I watched too much cartoons as a kid, but I always think about a desert scene, filled with sand dunes, with just this lush green area in the middle of it and a water feature,” Oasis Executive Director Breanna Fowler said. “Water gives life. And so, when I think about Oasis as an organization, I think of the same thing. People who are experiencing the storms in the deserts of life, who maybe feel alone, who need support, and we’re here to give help and hope, just like the Oasis in the desert.”

Founded in 2017, Oasis has continually grown over the years and is now in its fourth location, which was built in the last year on Highway H, near the Bridge of Hope.

Fowler said the center offers free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, consultations/counseling and incentive- based parenting classes that allows participants to earn “cash” that can be spent in the center’s baby boutique.

And while the mood was celebratory in nature relating to the opening of the new building, the pall of the recently passed Amendment 3 was always present, including during the opening prayer.

“Now this week was hard. Amendment three did not go as we had hoped,” Board Member Cindy Spear said. “But I will say, I’m disappointed, but I am not devastated. Because devastation is akin to hopelessness. And we know that you are a God of hope, and you are a God of life.”

Sen. Travis Fitzwater, who along with Representatives Doyle Justus and Chad Perkins spoke briefly to the crowd of about 50 people attending the ribbon cutting, also referenced the controversial amendment.

“The battle we’re up against isn’t going to be won by us on our own. We need something bigger than that,” he said. “It’s going to be hard for a while. And the only way we could get through that is together. We rely on the Lord who has a victory ahead. And that victory hopefully includes us fighting for these kids, no matter what stage of development they’re at. But this battle is not over because of what happened Tuesday. So take heart, know the Lord’s in this, and I’m super proud to walk along with you.”

Before the three politicians spoke, it was announced the Missouri legislature had appropriated $150,000 for each Oasis and Bridge of Hope.

“Both are wonderful organizations,” Perkins said. “I think [both] are now finding out all the hoops you gotta jump through to get there, but we’ll get there. And the fact of the matter is, due to the events that happened earlier this week, our dedication to organizations such as these have to become stronger.”

Partially because of the state funding and the donations of local residents, businesses and churches, the Oasis resource center was built debt-free.

It includes consultation and examination rooms along with the baby boutique, which is fully stocked with everything a new parent would need for the first couple years, including diapers, formula, clothes, toys, bedding and furniture.

Fowler said the primary method for earning money that can be spent in the boutique is by watching videos teaching parenting and life skills and then filling out a short quiz. She said the center has more than 500 videos available.

The resource center is open Monday through Thursday and its services are offered confidentially and free of charge. For more information, call (636) 775-2711 or go to oasisresourcecenter.org.