Success Stories

We don't have statistics for most of our 30 years, but we do have stories. Like these true stories of the women whose paths crossed those of our office volunteers on just one typical day . . .

Della--speaks only Spanish, has three children with her and needs clothing for a ten-month-old baby girl. We put together a little bag of three or four outfits, some socks and a few diapers. She is very thankful.

Maria--a very pretty 16-year-old comes in for a pregnancy test. It is negative; she is quite relieved. She broke up with her boyfriend a week ago. She says she was here two years ago for a test which also was negative. As we talk about her dating behavior and chastity, she agrees that there are many reasons to abstain until she is married.

Stephanie--16 years old and in her 8th month of pregnancy. She lives with her boyfriend and was referred by a caseworker for a layette (a care package including baby clothing, brochures on baby care, and, as available, diapers, toys, bottles, or blankets). We give her the layette, pamphlets on married love and abstinence, and tell her about Unwed Parents Anonymous, a support group dedicated to improving the quality of life for families with unwed parents as well as educating them about the benefits of abstinence and the consequences of pre-marital sex.

Four more young women come in for pregnancy tests, two of which are positive. One of the two women with positive tests is abortion-minded until we explain the physical and emotional risks of abortion and educate her on the development of her unborn child.

A married woman calls for contraception information. We tell her about Natural Family Planning and give her the phone number to call for classes.

A young woman calls seeking an abortion. We listen to her concerns, but are unable to convince her that life-giving options offer the only real solution to her problems. We feel for her, hoping that we have at least planted the seeds for a better choice. We gently encourage her to call again should she need information on post-abortion healing.

Sally comes in for a pregnancy test, which is positive. Shocked and dismayed, she is sure that abortion is her only option because she is unmarried, working a low-paying job, and without family support. We gently help her explore her reasons for wanting an abortion. We offer her information on the development of her unborn child, and explain the physical and emotional risks of abortion, so that she can make a fully informed decision. We offer her an ultrasound scan and follow-up with a physician, so that she can find out more about her pregnancy. We help her to assess her own strengths, and offer our assistance with her pressing need for better, safer housing by putting her in touch with agencies that help with low-cost housing. After this first visit, Sally is better informed about her pregnancy, more confident in herself, and reassured by our promise of support. She has kept in touch with us, and is looking forward with hope to the birth of her child.