Linda Marek is celebrating ten years at the helm of the Pembina Valley Pregnancy Care Centre.

In that time she's walked alongside young girls taking pregnancy tests, women mourning a devastating miscarriage, and others who've chosen abortion in the past and are working through mixed emotions.

Yet after a decade, she says experience and wisdom has only revealed how much she doesn't know.

"I feel like the amount of learning I've had the opportunity to do at the centre has been amazing and humbling," she says. "It impacts how I view women, women in pain, young women and the decisions they make, the impact of our culture and the increasingly sexualized elements of our culture. There's a lot more risk happening at a younger age."

Even though the law (in Canada abortions can be performed at any time in the pregnancy, and each Province has their own regulations specified by the health department) may not always align with PVPCC's definition of the start of human life, "a baby is a baby whether inside or outside the womb," Marek says their goal is to care for everyone that comes through their doors.

"There's a few names and faces that will forever be in my head and in my heart," Marek says. "People come to us with an incredible amount of pain and uncertainty."

She says her greatest joy is still seeing young mothers rekindle hope in difficult situations.

"It's amazing what a listening ear will do for people," Marek says. "And creating that safe place for them to share so they feel heard, they feel understood and cared for."

PVPCC also provides programming like Princess of Purpose, helping teen girls examine their identity and make wise choices. A post-partum depression support group has also helped women feeling overwhelmed with a new baby in the house.

The annual Baby Bottle Campaign launched earlier this summer also marked the 10 year milestone. Donors filled empty PVPCC baby bottles with cash, change or a cheque for the organization. Marek notes the fundraiser has grown over time with hundreds of families and individuals filling their baby bottles. This year raised over $13,000.

Since 2007, the campaign has brought in over $125,000.

After ten years of intense, sometimes difficult work, Marek says she's not done.

"My time here isn't finished, I feel like there's more I'm meant to give," she says.

The centre, selected as Winkler Chamber of Commerce Non-Profit of the Year Award (2016), is located in the ALG Professional Centre in Winkler, and in Morden in Boundary Trails Placed.