There’s more than a hint of pride in Sandy Ramirez’s voice when she speaks of Riverside Life Services. The nonprofit’s executive director wants to ensure individuals feel supported in their pregnancy decisions and that everybody has the tools they need to move forward with confidence.
“All of our services to the community are at no charge,” Ramirez shared. “That’s all of our pregnancy tests, our ultrasounds, our material goods, such as diapers, the boutique and clothes we have available, and more. Every dollar we get goes straight into our patient services.”
Which makes everything from grant funding and donations a well-needed bonus for the nonprofit. To that end, Ramirez expressed gratitude for a recent grant the nonprofit received from Inland Empire Community Foundation, which will support several offerings.
Some of those include pregnancy services, such as pregnancy confirmation, as well as counseling and mentorship. Funding also supports education programs, such as an “earn while you learn” component—for every class an individual takes at the nonprofit, they can then shop in the organization’s Baby Boutique, “earning” such things as clothes, diapers, wipes, equipment, and other items.
Other standout classes include Newborn and Postpartum Care, which provides information on the first 40 days after giving birth, and why that determines how well and how quickly somebody recovers from the experience. Postpartum depression and new baby care are also covered in this class. 
Support groups also filter into the mix. With an emphasis on community, the nonprofit offers individualized monthly groups for women experience a broad range of issues—from healing from miscarriages or challenges with breastfeeding to post-abortion support.
A monthly support group designed specifically for fathers, Dads for Life, further showcases the organization’s commitment to the individual’s well-being. The nonprofit also offers referrals to other community resources if needed.
“I just love our goal and mission of loving and encouraging moms, families, and babies,” Ramirez added.
Riverside Life Services was founded more than 50 years ago by several women hoping to create a safe haven that assisted women in their pregnancy. The idea was to hold space for women to feel “loved, cherished, and respected.” Five decades later, the organization stands out in the region, and is often praised for the mindful ways it assists women with life planning and moving through life’s “unexpected” twists.
Looking ahead, Ramirez wants people to know that the nonprofit happily takes donations.
“We’d love for people to donate gently used maternity clothes and baby clothes,” she said. “A lot of places that families would go to to donate those items would later be resold, and we don’t do that. All of our donations—what we call material goods, such as maternity clothes and baby clothes up to age 2—we make available for moms and families in our community.“Those are free,” she added. “So anytime anybody gives away baby clothes or baby items, we would love for them to consider us.”
Learn more about Riverside Life Services at riversidelifeservices.org
This story originally appeared in the Press Enterprise, July 2025.
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