Pregnancy Centers Recognized for Saving Lives

1 of the most pernacious lies spread about the Pro-Life movement is that all we care about is stopping a woman from having an abortion, that we don't care what happens to the woman or the child. The truth is far different. I have posted several times about some of these groups & orginizations that work to provide alternatives to abortion & help during the pregnancy as well as after the child is born.

Recently over 150 pregnancy center volunteers and 56 pregnancy center organizations from across the country received Presidential Volunteer Service Awards. They were awarded on Friday 19 September 2008 at a ceremony hosted by Assistant Secretary for Health, Admiral Joxel Garcia, MD, M.B.A. and the White House USA Freedom Corps.

More than 30 of the 56 organizations awarded are affiliated with Care Net, a network of 1,100 pregnancy centers in North America. According to a press release Care Net President Melinda Delahoyde called the award ceremony, “a pinnacle moment in the history of pregnancy centers,” a volunteer-fueled movement of people helping those in their communities who face unplanned pregnancies.

She went on to say: "Day in and day out, thousands of volunteers – 29,000 in Care Net’s network alone – open the doors of pregnancy centers with welcoming arms to people struggling with a serious life decision. These volunteers are the heart and soul of pregnancy centers. They’re everyday people who know what it’s like to be facing such a decision and feeling perhaps alone and scared. They take joy in coming alongside someone in the midst of these circumstances and empowering them to make a positive choice.”

Some, like Care Net & Birthright International, are networks of affiliates. Others, like DBQ's Clarity Clinic, are independent centers. The purpose of these pregnancy centers is to offer viable alternatives to women in crisis pregnancies so that they can chose life for the child rather than have an abortion. Depending on the center, their services can include such things as pregnancy tests, options counseling, parenting classes, limited ultrasound, material assistance, STD/STI information, community referrals, adoption information and post abortion help. No matter the size or location of the center, they need 2 things to be able to accomplish there goals, dedicated volenteers like those recently recognized. They also need financial help to pay for the ongoing operational expenses. I strongly urge those who can provide either to a local center, to do so.

Source: Pregnancy Center Volunteers Receive Presidential Volunteer Service Awards