LA History  

Director Beverly Kline founded Living Alternatives in 1982 after she encountered a pregnant teenager who needed help.  As a full-time missionary with Youth With A Mission, Bev wanted to help the girl and called the local health department to find a place that gave free pregnancy tests.  She was given the number of a Dallas abortion clinic.  That day, the Lord gave Bev passion and compassion for pregnant teens - passion to rescue East Texas women from a Dallas abortion clinic's efforts to expand their business to our area and compassion for girls who faced an unplanned pregnancy.  Living Alternatives began when Bev started offering free pregnancy tests from her own home.  There, she began her ministry offering life and hope to young women.

1982 Within a few months, the demand was greater than she could meet from her home.  With a volunteer staff of five, the Pregnancy Resource Center moved into a professional office in Tyler.  the center continues operatiing today and offers free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, emothional support, community referrals, and practical assistance such as providing baby and maternity clothes.  The center touches more than 1,000 lives every year.

1983  The need for housing for pregnant teens became clear, and a mother's home was started.  Living Alternatves bought a fire-damaged four-bedroom home for $15,000 to use for this purpose.  Because of the fire, the home needed $40,000 in repairs.  However, with donated labor, supplies, and $2,000, the home was completely restored and served 96 unwed mothers from 1983 to 1990.

1987  Living Alternatives established the state-licensed Loving Alternative Adoption Agency to help women who wanted to arrange a truly Christian adoption for their unborn baby.  In the last 13, Loving Alternative has placed 130 babies in loving Christian homes and continues to offer support services to the birth and adoptive families.  The agency serves adoptive families and birthmothers in the East Texas area.

1993  While planning to build a new maternity home for an estimated $500,000, God showed us another way.  Our Fatherheart location became available for us to buy for $300,000.  This 7,800 square foot home sits on 40 acres and is currently licensed to house 20 residents.

1996  Thanks to community contributions, Fatherheart's $300,000 mortgage was paid in full.  The payoff came a year-and-a-half earlier than we had planned!

1997  Fatherheart underwent renovations that included converting the garage into a mutipurpose room and added living quarters for our full-time houseparents.  Today, the home is almost 10,000 square feet, has 12 bedrooms and seven bathrooms, and is licensed for 20 residents.

1998  Life Skills and Christian Living program began.  Visible changes in the attitudes and character in the lives of the girls is a credit to this program.

1999  Eagle Academy Charter School, which is overseen by the Living Alternatives staff, began operating on Fatherheart grounds.  This accredited high school gives opportunity for residents to earn high school credits as they complete studies at their own pace.  (Nonaccredited diploma programs and G.E.D. preparation are also provided on site.)

2002  A mobile home became the temporary housing for the AfterCare program.  Here, girls can continue to live and be discipled at Fatherheart, in a home setting designed to meet their changing needs.

2003  Seeing an ever increasing demand for parenting classes and baby items for our Pregnancy Resource Center clients, Building Blocks opened their doors as an "earn-while-you-learn" program.  In 2006, we added the services of a certified doula.

2004  Living Alternatives, Alamogordo, New Mexico, became an extension of our Tyler ministry.