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Ashley Liveoak is the new executive director at the Care Net Pregnancy Resource Center of Chilton County.

It is a position she has held since being hired in late November 2019.

Since taking over the executive director duties for the non-profit organization, she has begun to lay out certain ambitions for the outfit in the coming year.

One of her main focuses in Year 1 will pertain to outreach and strengthening the connection between the center and the community.

“A lot of ladies don’t know that we even exist,” Liveoak said. “It’s all about letting them know that we’re here, and our services are free and confidential.”

Another program Liveoak is hoping to get off the ground in 2020 is called “Calling All Fathers.”

“Right now it’s just in the brainstorming phase,” Liveoak said.

According to Liveoak, the program is to reiterate the important roles that fathers play in their children’s lives.

“While Care Net is a pregnancy resource center, we also offer coaching to fathers,” Liveoak said. “A lot of times fathers are overlooked, and I think that is a missed opportunity in our community.”

So far in Liveoak’s first couple of months, Care Net has launched a new website and is in the midst of preparing for its annual baby bottle campaign, which is the organization’s largest fundraiser each year.

“We have a [baby bottle] campaign that is going to be rolling out to any churches, businesses or individuals who wish to participate,” Liveoak said.

Liveoak grew up in Shelby County but currently lives in Clanton with her husband.

“I feel like God has been preparing me for this role for many years now,” Liveoak said. “It’s as if every job that I’ve had since college has been preparing me for this.”

She has a degree in journalism, but has also done work in marketing and with budgets.

According to Liveoak, each of those experiences will help her with the tasks required as executive director.

“I was introduced to Care Net three years ago when I went to one of their banquets,” Liveoak said. “I didn’t know that just three years later I would be sitting right here.”

This is not the first venture that Liveoak has done with the goal of helping others, as she and her husband are also foster parents.

“Since I’ve been here, everyone that I’ve spoken to has welcomed me with open arms, which I’m very grateful for,” Liveoak said.