DECATUR - Azhara Abdelnabi had her arms full with onesies, diapers and other baby items.

She and other women were going through the racks and tables at the boutique at New Life Pregnancy Center. The shop is part of the new addition at the center.

Penny Weaver, executive director of the Pregnancy Center, said the agency was outgrowing its earlier facility. The addition, including the boutique, cost $465,000, covered mostly by a fundraiser and a large, anonymous donation.

"We are always revamping our programs and trying to figure out how to better meet the needs of our clients," Weaver said.

New Life Pregnancy Center, a Christian nonprofit agency, offers programs for expectant mothers, mothers of newborns and childrearing.

The boutique is a bonus, providing necessities for mothers. Diapers, strollers, cribs, layettes, clothing, bottles and other necessities were donated to the center, Weaver said.

"I love this place. It's awesome," said Abdelnabi, 22, who originally is from Jordan and is almost three months pregnant.

Barbara Owens had a few baby clothes that she was purchasing for friends with infants, and said, "It's wonderful here, especially when getting clothes for babies who grow so fast and can't wear them out."

Coupons, or "care cash," are used for purchases in the boutique.

Juanita Clark leads a Bible class on Mondays and Thursdays and said, "It's encouraging for these young mothers, who get to share with others about what they are experiencing and about their babies, and we also show them the love of Jesus."

Leslie Kent, coordinator of Blessing Encouragement Support and Training at New Life Pregnancy Center, does a lot of one-on-one counseling and provides information on prenatal care, childbirth and childraising.

"It can be expensive to have a child, so having the boutique is just another incentive to come here," she said. "This is a place of friendship and where relationships develop."

Sheila Smith can be reached at sheilas@herald-review.com or 421-7963.