Brandie Waugh never thought at age 19 that she would be where she is today: the director of the Pregnancy Care Center of Richmond Hill.

Back then, the Birmingham, Alabama native was an aspiring country singer. After several moves with her family growing up in Georgia, she ended up in Atlanta after signing a country-music recording contract at age 19.

She thought she was on the road to country fame. As she toured the Georgia circuit, she began preparing for a move to Nashville. While recording and working on marketing, she began living the life of a country singer.

In 1995, she met Brad Waugh at a concert in Warner Robins. They eventually got married and had two children — Samantha, who is now 15, and Michael, 12.

Since the couple divorced nearly two years ago, Waugh has poured herself into her two passions: family and Christian ministry.

Waugh said she believes her 12 years as the member-services coordinator of Coastal Electric Cooperative prepared her for the work she now does with the Pregnancy Care Center of Richmond Hill.

After leaving Coastal in November 2013, Waugh took time to work on photography and refocus on where God would have her. In March of this year, she took the position as director of the Pregnancy Care Center.

“I was already in praise and worship ministry at New Life Family Church in Midway and a part of the Homeless Ministry of Savannah,” she said. “I was considering, ‘Is this my only ministry? I knew somehow, someway I was supposed to be a part of God’s work, but didn’t really know for sure what that was. When I interviewed for the director’s position here, I felt at peace. I knew in speaking to Debra Lane, (the chairwoman of the) board of directors, that I felt like I had known her for years.

“Because of my background with Coastal Electric, I am not afraid to get out in the public,” Waugh continued. “My daddy has always told me the best way to advertise is word of mouth. As long as I’ve lived here, I never knew this place existed. There is no need for this to be a hush-hush place. It needs to be a safe haven. People need to know they can come here and speak to someone.”

Waugh was recently featured on a free spot on His Radio, a Christian-contemporary radio station that can be heard in the Savannah area at 91.9 FM, where she was given the opportunity to promote the Pregnancy Care Center. She plans to continue promoting and bringing greater awareness to the center in hopes that those not only in Richmond Hill, but also in surrounding communities, will benefit from the services provided.

The center doesn’t just give free handouts. Rather, it provides education and resources to those in need. Whether an ear for listening, diapers, free pregnancy tests or clothes, the resources can be life-changing for those who find themselves in desperate circumstances, Waugh said.

Clients must complete training modules, watch videos and stay connected to the center to earn points for the items they need. As of the end of June, there were eight clients ranging in age from 20-25.

Waugh said that in her second week on the job, she encountered her first abortion-minded client. This, she said, was a true eye opener for her.

“I witnessed a client that didn’t know Jesus and, through this center, she came to a place where she hungered and wanted to know more,” Waugh said. “My passion is in speaking and listening to these clients as they come in; I try to remove myself as a person and pray through it.”

The Pregnancy Care Center of Richmond Hill is a part of a national network of centers that share a common mission of ministering to women and men in need, according to Paula Rodriguez, the center’s web administrator.

The nonprofit is striving to grow and reach as many people as possible.

For more information on ways to help or donate, or to find out about the center’s upcoming fundraising events, go to www.pregnancycarerh.org or call the office at 912-445-0716.