An Austin agency that helps women in need is under new leadership.

Holly Camerer took over as the Rachel’s Hope director on Tuesday and is looking forward to continuing the center’s mission of helping women who are pregnant or have young children.

“We don’t judge; we’re just here to stand beside you,” she said.

Rachel’s Hope, 808 W. Oakland Ave., is a nonprofit, Christian-based pregnancy crisis center that serves women ages 13 to 40 who are pregnant or raising children through age 2. Camerer said Rachel’s Hope is really about providing support and extra help for expecting and new mothers of any background.

Camerer is excited to get better acclimated to her new role and is already working to further the center’s educational and outreach opportunities.

One of Camerer’s first goals is to boost the office’s technology. She plans to obtain tablets and laptops, either through monetary or device donations, to use in the office to connect clients with a variety of online resources.

“It would be a great resource,” she said. “I think it would help us move forward.”

Rachel’s Hope serves a diverse group of residents. While Camerer is pleased to serve everyone in the community, language barriers can be a challenge. She’s plans to utilize online and digital resources in various languages to better meet client needs.

“I feel that’s where it’s going and what a great resource,” she said.

Because the center serves a diverse group, Camerer and the center are always looking for help from interpreters, who could be paid through a Hormel Foundation grant.

Camerer took over for Tiffany Chrz, who served as interim director after Joanne Rasumussen stepped down after she was diagnosed with cancer. But Rasmussen, the director since 2005, said her medical prognosis is good and she’s still helping as a volunteer.

“It is marvelous to have a full-time director that has the enthusiasm that Holly has,” Rasmussen said.

To Rasmussen, Rachel’s Hope fills a key need of not only being a place for women in need, but it provides women with items like diapers, food and toys for their children. They also provide free pregnancy tests.

“There is such a need for a center that supports the people who are struggling,” Rasmussen said.

One of Rachel’s Hope’s signature programs is Learn While You Learn, which credits clients with points or “baby bucks” mothers can use to purchase items in the center’s baby boutique. Points are earned by mothers taking positive steps for improvement: by visiting Rachel’s Hope for a monthly visit, attending classes, completing a high school or college program, attending a doctor’s appointment, getting a new job and more.

“They earn the things that they get from Rachel’s hope and I think that’s an important part of it,” Rasmussen said.

But clients can also lose points if they miss an appointment and fail to call.

Though based in Austin, the office serves clients around the region from surrounding communities like Blooming Prairie and Albert Lea. Rachel’s Hope also connects women with other agencies like Mower County Health and Human Services.

Rachel’s Hope, which formed in 1998, operates entirely through donations and support from churches, along with support from groups like The Hormel Foundation, the Austin Area Foundation and Operation Roundup. It receives no government funding.

People interested in donating money, baby items or helping can visit www.rachelshope-mn.org or call 507-437-7595.

“We are a nonprofit organization — that’s where we get our help,” Camerer said.

Camerer will work roughly 30 hours a week and the office is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Camerer is a St. Ansger, Iowa, native but has lived in Austin for about 15 years with her husband, Tim, and their children: Chloey, 13, Cole, 12, and Chase, 9.

Camerer has already gotten plenty of help from her family, as her father, Paul Beyer, stopped by Thursday to help out with minor repairs.

Camerer previously worked as a paraprofessional with Austin Public Schools and has a bachelor’s in business administration.

Rachel’s Hope is also planning a Pizza Ranch fundraiser for Nov. 9, likely from 5 to 8 p.m.

“We are there to be beside you besides giving the reassurance that God is with you always,” she said.