A Story Rooted in Compassion

Bella Vita’s journey began in 1984, when its founder recognized a need in the community. With an extra phone line and a spare bedroom, she started taking calls from pregnant women who needed support. What began as a simple act of kindness has since grown into a multi-faceted organization offering medical services, parenting resources, and community-driven care.

Bella Vita Network is made up of three key programs: The Pregnancy Center, providing medical services and pregnancy support; Soul Purpose, a campus outreach that helps young women understand their worth and identity; and The Haven, offering after-abortion care and healing resources.

“Our goal is to create sustainable avenues for parenting,” says Savannah Marten, Executive Director of Bella Vita Network. “We believe being a mother or father should not be dependent on someone’s socioeconomic status or religion. It’s not a privilege—it’s a fundamental right.”

Providing Hope Through Medical and Parenting Support

Bella Vita is committed to walking with women through every step of their journey, offering free and confidential services, including:

• Abortion information
• Free pregnancy tests
• Free limited ultrasounds
• Community referrals and ongoing support
• Pregnancy and parenting classes for both moms and dads

Beyond medical care, Bella Vita fosters a space where women can feel empowered. Many of the women who visit the center come in overwhelmed, unsure if they can embrace motherhood. Savannah shared a story about Jenna, one of the mothers Bella Vita has supported.

“When Jenna first came to us, she was incredibly stressed about being a mom—she never saw that as a part of her story. But through our program, you could actually see her mindset shift. In her surveys, you can track her transformation. She’s feeling encouraged, she’s learning alongside other mothers, and she begins to see herself as a mom.”

Expanding for a Stronger Future

As the need for services continues to grow, Bella Vita is expanding. A new building is set to open soon, significantly increasing the organization’s capacity.

“The upstairs of our new facility will have 24 community partners offering rotating office hours,” Savannah explains. “Mental health providers, Jobs & Family Services, Mercy Health, Habitat for Humanity—plus, we’re in talks with local unions to offer classes for moms and dads on trade jobs and benefits. The saying ‘it takes a village’—that’s why we built this building.”

This expansion does more than create space; it deepens the impact. The organization has seen firsthand how women flourish when provided with both resources and encouragement.

“We see women who just need someone to believe in them. When they have tools, resources, and a plan, they rise to the occasion,” Savannah says.

A Unified Community

Bella Vita’s work is about bringing people together.

“The conversation around this topic has been quite divisive,” Savannah says. “But we’ve seen people on both sides roll up their sleeves and get involved. That’s the change people are looking for—taking the conversation out of a debate and into action that makes people’s lives better.”

The center works with over 20 medical professionals, including board-certified OB-GYNs, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses under the direction of Dr. Ben White. “Language matters,” Savannah points out. “We are a life-affirming organization, and there are misconceptions about what that means. We want people to understand that we believe in the sanctity of life for every single person—including mom and dad.”

Get Involved

Bella Vita thrives because of the support of the Toledo community. There are many ways to help:

• Volunteer: Become a client advocate, support the medical team, or help behind the scenes.
• Donate Supplies: Their Amazon Wishlist is constantly updated with essential items like diapers, wipes, and formula.
• Attend an Event: Their annual Created fundraiser on April 24, 2025, offers an inspiring program and an opportunity to learn more.

“We can’t do what we do without our community partners,” Savannah says. “The fact that these wonderful organizations are jumping in to help our families—that’s Toledo.”

Bella Vita Network is more than a pregnancy center; it’s a movement of compassion, empowerment, and sustainable change. With each mother they support, they are not just changing one life—they are shaping a stronger future for generations to come.

Continuing the Conversation

We’d love to hear your thoughts:

• How can the community better support women facing unintended pregnancies?
• What role do you think partnerships with local organizations play in creating sustainable parenting solutions?
• How do you think changing the conversation from debate to action impacts families and communities?