Thrive Forward

With your faithful support, Thrive Medical Clinic has been able to impact the lives of many people facing unplanned pregnancies in our community with our medical services. But Medical appointments can only touch the surface of our patients' needs. An overwhelming need we’ve seen is the desire for connection. It’s our vision that these courageous men and women who choose life wouldn’t just survive, but thrive and move forward to a more abundant life. Out of this heart, Thrive Forward was launched just four months ago. Our hope is that everyone who comes to Thrive Forward will feel the empowerment to thrive through a community of support and access to knowledge that is life-changing.

Think of it as a series of bridges. Thrive Medical is the first step that provides immediate medical care. Then patients are connected with a staff member who tells them about continued mentorship/ coaching, practical support, and opportunities for growth offered by Thrive Forward.

Once patients cross the bridge to Thrive Forward, they have a personal connection, a friend for the journey. Their mentor/coach helps them create many bridges to other supports within the community.

Simply put, Thrive Medical is for that moment of decision. Thrive Forward is for everything after.

When hearing there is someone ready and willing to hear their story and process life with them on a regular basis, many people have responded, “I need that!” Patients have come into Thrive Forward with tough and overwhelming life situations and consistently leave looking physically lighter, so thankful, and full of hope. They leave saying things like, “I don’t know what I would do if you guys weren’t here!”

It’s working—He is working! It has been such a privilege to join in the work God is already doing in these patients’ lives; and it is humbling to think that He is providing for them through Thrive Forward. He created this place for them “for such a time as this”, because they matter and their story matters.

Thank you for the service and prayers you have poured into making Thrive Forward a reality. You matter! And what you care about matters and what you pray for matters; your passion and your generosity— it matters!

Thrive Forward exists to continue relationships with patients.

Here’s how:

Thrive Essentials

One of the ways we come alongside the courageous women and men who choose life for their unborn child is by ensuring that they have what they need to care for their child as they navigate parenthood. Thrive Essentials provides brand new maternity and baby items, such as clothing, diapers, formula, hygiene products, period supplies, etc. This program is completely donor funded, and each beautiful item comes from individuals just like you!

Mentorship for Women

Sometimes women want someone to celebrate with and other times they want someone who will just listen. Being able to talk through life is incredibly healthy. We offer professional one-on-one mentorship for women seeking a non-judgmental and calming space. Mentors offer a listening ear, encouragement, and connections to help create a bridge with other helpful resources within the community.

Coaching for Men

We’re here to provide men with the individualized support and encouragement they need to navigate the pressure and stress of life. One-on-one, 60-minute coaching sessions take place regularly and are personalized to specific goals, questions, and needs. Trained coaches will discuss various topics such as parenting/co-parenting, healthy relationships, finance, and career exploration.

Summer - Fall Newsletter, 2022

By Rhonda Wrede, Executive Director

With the introduction of self-managed abortion and a 7% increase in overall abortion rates since 2017*, the challenges facing abortion-vulnerable women and men are at an all-time high. The needs of our patients are great and the time to offer life-saving resources and support is now!

The vision of Thrive Medical Clinic (TMC) is to give every woman and man considering abortion the opportunity to confirm their pregnancy through an ultrasound (allowing them to see their child for themselves), to receive information about their pregnancy options from a source that doesn’t profit from or push abortion, and to learn about the realistic solutions, practical resources, and loving support that would empower them to parent their child or make an adoption plan.

It’s our dream that these precious women, men, and children can thrive, not just survive.

But one person cannot carry out this mission alone. It takes all of us working together. As you read the stories contained in this newsletter, you will see how donors, volunteers, board members, staff and, of course, the Holy Spirit are all essential.

The only way for our patients to thrive is for all of us to do our part. Here is a heartwarming quote from a recent TMC patient review that confirms this truth: “[The staff] was so helpful and gave me so much peace. I am so, so glad I came here. I feel like I have the information and resources I need to make the best decision for me.”

We are truly thriving together! Thank you in advance for your continued support of Thrive Medical Clinic. You are loved and appreciated!

*source Guttmacher Institute June 2022

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Virtual Event Recap

A reason to celebrate

We want to take the time to celebrate YOU, our supporters. Your sacrificial gifts provide a safe place and life-saving services to women and men facing an unplanned pregnancy to make pregnancy decisions with courage and confidence instead of fear and desperation.

During this event, we provided crucial information concerning the latest risks to abortion-vulnerable women such as “self-managed abortion” and how Thrive Medical Clinic is prepared to reach as many of these at-risk women as possible.

Because of your help and intervention, Thrive Medical Clinic will be providing additional ultrasound appointments, online scheduling, mobile intake, Abortion Pill Reversal and virtual consultations for our patients.

By removing barriers and providing additional services, more women and men will have the opportunity to connect with Thrive and be provided with life-saving services.

We want to give a special shout out to Christian Family Financial, Absolute Building Solutions, Jade Rentals and other anonymous matching donors! Altogether, over $85,000 was raised!! We are blown away by your generosity!

I wish you could see the many faces that come through our doors. Many enter visibly weighed down and burdened by the many decisions swirling around in their head. After their appointment, many have a different posture and look like a weight has truly been lifted.

You are DIRECTLY impacting women and men when you give to TMC by paying for their appointment, creating a welcoming environment through renovations, keeping the lights on, and so much more!

So, be encouraged, your dollars are making a direct impact. We could not continue this forward movement without you - so from the bottom of our hearts THANK YOU!

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If you haven’t had the chance to watch the event, don’t worry just hit replay below.

Brooke's Story

By Jasmine Bower, Patient Services Director

After getting a positive pregnancy test, *Brooke made an appointment for an abortion. She felt conflicted about what she should do regarding her unplanned pregnancy and wanted to talk things through, but she also faced serious pressure from individuals encouraging her to go through with her abortion.

After making the abortion appointment, she chose to come to TMC to get a confirmation ultrasound, ask questions, and verbally process in a safe and private setting. Brooke openly expressed the conflict she felt inside and said, “Honestly, I want to keep my baby; but I know it would be hard. I think I’d regret getting an abortion, though.”

When Brooke saw her baby’s heartbeat on the ultrasound machine, she said she felt “protective” of the life inside of her and said, “I know I need to do what’s best for me and my child.” She courageously canceled her abortion appointment and, for the first time, allowed herself to feel excited about being a mom!

She is now being surrounded by beautiful support and practical help that she didn’t even know existed originally.

Brooke has repeatedly expressed so much appreciation for this ministry and the support she is receiving from so many in the community... “If it wasn’t for this place, getting to talk to someone, and seeing the ultrasound, I’m convinced that I would’ve been coerced into having the abortion.”

Praise God for what He is doing through both of these lives! And thank you for providing this brave mom and her little one with the chance they needed to thrive and know how incredibly valuable they both are.

“I am so, so glad I came here. I feel like I have the information and resources I need to make the best decision for me.” - Brooke

*Patient names and photos are changed to preserve confidentiality

Jenna's Story

By Catherine Swaffer, Patient Care Advocate

Jenna came to Thrive Medical Clinic for an ultrasound certain she was pregnant and convinced neither she nor her boyfriend were prepared to care for another child. They had a medical abortion appointment scheduled for the following week.

She shared with me that she and her children live with an abusive boyfriend. Jenna also suffers from major depression and most days can barely get out of bed, much less find a way to leave her boyfriend. After already having had several previous abortions, Jenna seemed very comfortable with this solution to her unexpected new problem.

As the ultrasound started, it became obvious that this baby was much further along than she imagined. Initially, Jenna covered her eyes, tearing up. She was one day short of 14 weeks and the baby was quite active.

The humanity of this well developed baby suddenly caught Jenna’s eye. Suddenly she said, “I can’t do it. I can’t do that to this baby.”

God’s presence is often felt during these patient visits, but especially when vulnerable, broken women come in thinking abortion is the only answer. It’s a profound grace to witness the change of heart that often happens.

After Jenna decided to choose life, she felt that adoption was the best option. She said she could not manage another child right now, but she could consider adoption. Praise God!

Jenna was happy to receive referrals to Christian support groups for pregnant mothers and post-abortion support.

Please pray for Jenna as she navigates the adoption process, pursues healthier relationships and finds healing.

*Patient names and photos are changed to preserve confidentiality

We bought the building!

For almost 21 years, we have been in this building. Many feet have walked through its doors, many prayers have been said in each room and many have found peace in it’s sanctuary.

It may only be a building to some but to our patients, staff, supporters and volunteers this building means so much more.

Purchasing the building is something we’ve dreamed about. We knew this decision would be best for our patient’s safety and stability. We knew we needed to be in control of our building. But we didn’t know for sure how this would happen.

And God said ‘YES’! It’s amazing how He orchestrated the purchase of the building and we’ve been just dying to tell you!!

Through your prayers and donations the funds were raised for the down payment. We could not purchase the building without YOU, our amazing supporters!

Then, God dropped the best gift in our laps. Through a network of supporters, we learned about the Church Extension Fund, a part of the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church in Michigan. They caught the vision of what you have been supporting for years.

The Church Extension Fund is providing the loan for our building! They’ve been great to work with and its incredible how easy they made the process. They have been such a blessing in making our once dream a reality.

It’s a miracle and only by the grace of God that we own the building today. We could not do this without you - this is a big deal and we cannot say ‘thank you’ enough!

Re-Supply thrive Essentials

Hello Everyone, 

I have exciting news…. the Thrive Medical Clinic remodel continues! Since acquiring our new space in the Spring of 2021, change has occurred at a slow but steady rate. One thing that has thankfully been finished for a while is Thrive Essentials, our material services room.

However, I have even more news, this area of the ministry is completely drowning……… in blessings! We have such amazing supporters in you who care so much about families having access to free and brand new baby and maternity items; and we completely understand why! Going out and buying or making something beautiful for a mother or her baby is such a fun and fulfilling thing to do and such a practical way to live out your passion for this ministry. 

There is only a slight problem. “Drowning” was not figurative but literal. Despite this new space we are completely out of room for the massive amount of baby and maternity items that come in throughout each week. We’re consistently receiving items faster than we can give them away!

On top of this, the time has finally come to start designing and adding furniture to the new space. As you can probably guess, this creates a bit of a dilemma as we are unable to really fill the new space because it’s already full of Thrive Essentials items. 

That all being said, we want to face this very good “problem” (having “too many” supplies) with what will be a really fun solution for all! We would like to have one day each month that is dedicated to YOU and the incredibly special way you support our ministry.

On the first Thursday of every month feel free to come in anytime between 8am and 6pm to Re-supply Thrive Essentials! Not only will this day be a day we can truly serve our patients together, but it will also give you all a better picture as to the current things we are truly low on each month.

In addition we would love for this to be a day where you can specifically come in and tour the new space or the whole of TMC if you have yet to see it for yourself. Our staff would love to meet you and give you an inside peek into the ministry. Another pro to this change is that we often find that our hours as a medical clinic work for our patients but sometimes can be tough for our supporters to work within. Therefore, we hope that this specific day each month, with extended hours, will be something you can count on and plan into your schedule!

We believe that Re-supply Thrive Essential Days will not only clear up room for us now to finish our remodel, but it will also give us a month between resupply days to hand out as many items as we can to make room for Thrive Essentials to be restocked the following month. This will be a fun day each month specifically for you, it will streamline supplies into the hands of our patients each month instead of sitting in a back room of TMC for months on end, and it will greatly help us continue to offer and expand all of our other services smoothly and effectively. 

So! Remember the first Thursday of every month from 8am-6pm is YOUR day to Re-supply Thrive Essentials. We are so grateful for you and can’t wait to see you there!

For any further questions please feel free to email me at maddy@thrivemedicalclinic.org. 

For Him and this community,

Maddy Klingelsmith, RN

Thrive Forward Director

Thrive Medical Clinic

231-929-3488

Winter-Spring Newsletter

Thrive Medical Clinic (TMC) is a reality, not only to our staff and supporters but to our patients, those who need us the most. 

As I have watched the transformation of our name, logo, and building into Thrive Medical Clinic, I am overwhelmed when I look at all you have accomplished. 

Yes, I am genuinely blown away because I know that there is no way any of this could have happened without your generous support! In fact, you gave in record ways in 2021 because you believe in the vision that God has called TMC to fulfill. And we have only just begun! 

Twenty twenty-two is sure to hold even more challenges for our patients. But with your help, TMC will be there to help these women and men to Thrive, not just survive.

The vision of Thrive Medical Clinic is to give every woman and man considering abortion the opportunity to confirm their pregnancy through an ultrasound (allowing them to see their child for themselves), to receive information about their pregnancy options from a source that doesn’t profit from or push abortion, and to learn about the realistic solutions, practical resources, and loving support that would empower them to parent their child or make an adoption plan. 

It’s our dream that these precious women, men, and children can thrive, not just survive.

Rhonda Wrede, Executive Director

Maya's Story

By Jasmine Bower, Patient Services Director

So many times, we don’t get to hear what happens to our patients or the little one inside of them after they leave our clinic. Well, in 2021 I met with a girl who has been on my heart for months.

*Maya came to us emotionally overwhelmed. She was experiencing common pregnancy symptoms and wanted help to know what to do. We did a pregnancy test for her, which came back positive, and I was able to sit down with her and hear her heart. Maya cried as she shared honestly about how she felt: relationships in her life, her age, her health, and being afraid of being viewed as a “failure” by others all made an abortion seem like the best option to her. Maya shared that in her past relationships with guys, she just felt used for her body and didn’t feel that she was valued. She began to panic that her current boyfriend wouldn’t love her enough to stay with her, and she was terrified of parenting alone.

We were able to do a confirmation ultrasound for Maya, which showed that she was six weeks along – just far along enough to see the tiny growing baby inside her, its heartbeat, and take measurements.

After her ultrasound, we were able to talk more about Maya’s fears and her deep worth. She allowed me to explore all her options with her (abortion, adoption, and parenting), and we talked about what they would look like for her, both now and down the road. Maya did have someone close who didn’t want her to go through the emotional pain of abortion. She encouraged Maya to parent and was eager to be a support for her. I was able to introduce Maya to multiple beautiful resources that would be a huge support to her if she did decide that parenting was what she wanted to do. We spoke truth and love to her, trying to help her see how not-alone she is. But we also made it clear that this was ultimately her decision, and that, no matter what, we care about her and will be here for her. Maya was very appreciative and said that this was a “safe place for sure,” but left no indication of what her decision would be.

Not until eight months later did we hear any sort of update from Maya… and it absolutely made my week. It’s crazy how much can change in eight months. Well, Maya let us know that she is doing well and that she gave birth to a beautiful, healthy boy! Not only is she now parenting her son, but she plugged herself into some amazing support and surrounded herself with loving, Godly people who are walking her through motherhood.

I can’t help but praise God for His compassion and for orchestrating so much for the sake of this baby boy and his mom, despite all the attacks of the enemy. I am so thankful for the prayers and gifts of this community and the way God’s faithful hand uses each of them. He sees all the details that we can’t and is the only One who can save.

“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” – Jeremiah 32:27

*Patient names and photo are changed to preserve confidentiality 

Year End Letter, 2021

Dear friend of TMC,

At Thrive Medical Clinic (TMC), we are motivated by what we love, unborn babies and their moms and dads. Each year we serve hundreds of abortion-vulnerable women and men by offering grace; not by applying guilt.

Thrive Medical Clinic exists to provide women and men facing an unplanned pregnancy with the solutions, practical resources, and caring support that they need to thrive, not just survive.

I recently read a very encouraging article by a man who shared his observations while working in a pregnancy center. He said, “Those women who keep their babies describe their experience at the pregnancy centers in surprising ways. They usually don’t say, “I realized I should keep the baby.” They’ll say, “I realized I could keep the baby.” They aren’t argued out of a decision; they’re shown a path that makes keeping the baby plausible.” Our purpose is not to talk women out of abortion or to trick or pressure them, but to offer the truth in love so that they begin to believe that they can carry their baby to term, that they can choose life instead of abortion.

We want these women and men to choose abundant life with a Divine Yes. (John 10:10) This Divine Yes reminds us that God’s promises are always yes. (2 Corinthians 1:20) He will give us all that we need to honor the sanctity of human life. After all, He created humans in His image and breathed his very life into us.

As Executive Director, I believe condemnation of individuals is unnecessary in this fight to end abortion. In fact, I believe that is not God’s way. At Thrive Medical Clinic we present the truth in love and then stand back and allow the Holy Spirit to do His work in the hearts and minds of those we serve. Conviction of sin is the Holy Spirit’s job. I am simply a conduit for this work.

I can’t tell you how many miracles my eyes have witnessed as the Holy Spirit transforms women and men from the inside out - bringing them from hopeless to hopeful, fearful to courageous, and confusion to confidence. The power of God’s truth and love is what opens eyes to recognize the incomparable value that God has placed on their life and the life of their unborn child. Through God’s love and strength, they choose the Divine Yes.

As we bring 2021 to a close, I am full of gratitude to all those who’ve said yes to supporting unborn babies and their moms and dads. But His work is not done yet. Lives are on the line, and with your donation, babies will have a chance at life.

Please consider the Divine Yes by making your most generous, tax-deductible financial gift that will make a BIG difference. Precious mothers, fathers, and babies need you now more than ever. Lives will be saved for eternity by your generosity.

Yours in service for the sanctity of all human life,

Rhonda K. Wrede
Executive Director | Thrive Medical Clinic

Kaylee’s Story

God recently brought us a young woman who came in already decided that an abortion was what she needed.

When *Kaylee arrived, she shared that, although she had hoped to be a mom someday, this seemed like a terrible time to bring a new life into the world. Kaylee was very open and shared with me about how she came to her decision and how torn and alone she had felt while making it. She said she felt bad about choosing abortion but thought that this would be the most responsible choice for this time in her life. She told me about some people in her life who were trying not to sway her decision, but she assumed they hoped that she would choose abortion, and she wanted to please them.

Kaylee hadn’t told most people, especially her mom, that she was pregnant. She and her mom were very close, and Kaylee knew that news of an abortion plan would break her mom’s heart. I tried to encourage her to consider confiding in her mom, since she would otherwise be keeping a heavy secret long-term from someone she loves dearly. Kaylee started to tear up, and said, “It has been a lot to sort through alone and has felt heavy not being able to talk to people about it.”

During the ultrasound, we were able to clearly see her tiny, 7-week-old baby. Kelly, our sonographer,gently pointed out the baby’s heartbeat and the fetal development taking place. Kaylee responded with surprise and referred to her child as “baby” several times throughout the scan. She then looked at me and said, “Wow... I think I’m undecided again. I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

After the ultrasound, Kaylee was open to learning about her parenting, abortion, and adoption options. It was clear that she had never felt good about choosing abortion, and that she needed to be encouraged by hearing truth and being cheered on. She left encouraged but undecided and said that she would seriouslytalk with her boyfriend about their options again. I encouraged her to please reach out any time she needed to talk and reminded her that she is not alone.

When she left, I quickly sent out a request asking our prayer warriors to pray for her courage, hope, and love for this baby to grow, and for the same to be true of her boyfriend who would be such an essential piece of her decision-making process.

Sadly, we often aren’t able to hear what happensto the women, men, and babies we see here once they leave. But the following week, we got the best voicemail ever... Kaylee had reached out to let us know that she and her boyfriend had decided to parenttheir baby! She had also told the news to her mom, who responded with excitement and support. Kaylee repeated how appreciative she was and accepted our offer of a dresser filled with newborn items for when her baby arrives.

It cannot be overstated that God is so good! Thank you for praying for this ministry and our patients, and thank you for providing Kaylee with a place to learn, be loved, heard, and to see her baby for herself.

“I cannot thank you enough for today!” - Kaylee

*Patient names and photos are changed to preserve confidentiality

Summer-Fall Newsletter, 2021

Wow, we continue to be overwhelmed -- in the best possible way -- by the generosity and encouragement coming from you, our supporters, and the community following the announcement that Pregnancy Care Center is now Thrive Medical Clinic (TMC).

There are so many great things happening and we are thrilled to be able to share them with you!

Celebrating 30 Years | Rhonda Wrede celebrates 30 years as Executive Director at TMC.

Abortion Pill Reversal | Thrive Medical Clinic is proud to be the only Clinic offering this life-saving intervention north of Grand Rapids!

Baby Bottle Boomerang | BBB is back! This will be our first year hosting BBB as Thrive Medical Clinic (TMC) and we could not be more excited!

Kaylee’s Story | God recently brought us a young woman who came in already decided that an abortion was what she needed.

Ultrasound Machine Dedication | We were privileged to have friends of Thrive offer a blessing for our new ultrasound machine.

Transformation | We want to give you a snapshot of the things we’ve accomplished following the announcement that Pregnancy Care Center is now Thrive Medical Clinic.

Krystyn's Story

For the first time EVER, a patient is sharing her personal experience and introducing you to her beautiful daughter. Get your tissues!

Winter-Spring Newsletter, 2021

Coming out of a year that was so uncertain, heavy, and dark at times, God has allowed us to witness both Him and our supporters go FAR above and beyond what we ever expected or thought would be possible.

Financial giving was outstanding in 2020! In a year that we expected donations to be way down because of so much economic uncertainty, many of you gave more than ever before, and we can’t possibly thank you enough for your sacrifice and generosity. Through your gifts, support, and faithful prayers, God got so many patients through some of their darkest days. Your gifts are the only thing that kept our doors open this year.

Material donations, such as baby and maternity supplies, were through the roof! Even during lockdown, you made it possible to provide families with curbside pickup to receive the supplies needed to care for their families. These gifts were a lifeline for many!

Baby Bottle Boomerang was a HUGE success, even after postponing this spring event to the fall, and having fewer churches participate. More details on page 4.

Your gifts accomplished INCREDIBLE things last year, and this newsletter is a celebration of that. I pray the reports within this newsletter bring your heart joy!

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday

If abortion breaks your heart as it does mine, I have a question for you: what are you going to do about it?

Today, January 17th, 2021, is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday! A day where individuals and churches all over the country recognize that human beings are created in the image of God and that all human life is sacred – set apart for the worship of and service to Him. It’s also a day to commemorate the many lives lost to and impacted by abortion, and commit ourselves to uphold the sanctity of human life at every stage.

In addition to remembering the lives lost, and those forever altered by abortion, I hope it’s also a day that fuels us into action. Because on their own, our beliefs do not provide the solutions and support required for hurting men and women to choose life. It matters more to them what we DO about what we believe, than what we SAY we believe.

We aren’t all called to do the same thing, but we are all called by God to something.

3 Things You Can Do:

1. Pray! Pray with everything you have.

• Pray that the women and men in your community who are considering abortion would see the truth, and find the loving support and help they need to be courageous and to choose life.

• Pray for those impacted by an abortion decision. Ask God to bring healing and restoration into their lives.

• Pray for our nations leaders - the ones you like, and the ones you don’t like. Pray that God would help the mindset surrounding abortion to change in meaningful ways.
  
  

2. Be Generous: Give whatever and however you can to those in need.

• Through Donations: Your donations to PCC impacts lives and pregnancy decision outcomes! Your donation to Pregnancy Care Center will provide a safe, life-affirming place for those considering abortion. Your gifts provide them with the solutions, resources, and the support that they need to choose life for their baby, and to thrive as a parent. CLICK HERE to make a life-altering donation today.

• Through Relationship: Be generous with your time and friendship. If you see a parent in your circle struggling, do what you can to help! Once someone chooses life for their baby, their journey is only just beginning. They will face many challenges, and will need your help. Be generous with your emotional and practical support. It will make a difference and show them that you truly value human life at all stages, not just before the baby is born.
  
  

3. Be a safe place/person.

• Become the person that someone in an unplanned pregnancy could come to, knowing they wouldn’t be pressured or judged. You have the potential to speak truth and love into their life when they need it most!

• Become the person that someone could talk to after having an abortion. Be the loving voice that reminds them of God’s unconditional love, hope, and forgiveness. Be willing to grieve the loss of their baby with them, listen to their experiences, and comfort them.

"And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!" -Matthew 25:40

I hope that today you are inspired to take action in a new way, and motivated to continue in the good work you’re already doing. Your gifts and actions will not be in vain. You ARE making a difference. Thank you!

Have you been impacted by abortion?

• If you’ve been impacted by an abortion decision, you are not alone. God loves you, and so do we. You do not have to bear the weight of shame or guilt anymore - Jesus died for YOU, even though he knew the choices you would make. Freedom, joy, and restoration are possible through God’s forgiveness. If you’d benefit by sharing your abortion experience with someone, our team is here to listen and love you. You can take the first step towards healing by us an email to joanna@pregnancycarecentertc.org.

• If you’re not quite ready to talk yet, it’s okay. Healing takes time. In the meantime, it can help to hear other’s share their own stories - a reminder that you’re not alone in your pain. In the videos below, some post-abortive women and men share their journey towards healing.

You are loved and your life has a purpose.

Victory - Pro-Life Pregnancy Center Won't Be Forced To Speak Against Its Mission

Victory - Pro-life pregnancy center won't be forced to speak against its mission

Article by Pregnancy Help News | August 17, 2020 | Written by Maureen Collins

(ADF Legal) Caring Families Pregnancy Services has been giving a voice to women facing unplanned pregnancies for over 30 years.

“We know how important it is for our clients to write their own stories,” says the pregnancy center’s website. But while Caring Families works to give its clients a voice, the city of Hartford tried to silence the pregnancy center—or at least drown out its voice—by passing a city law that required pregnancy centers to speak misleading messages that undermine its mission. 

Who: Caring Families Pregnancy Services

Caring Families Pregnancy Services is a private, faith-based, non-profit organization that gives women and families the support they need to choose life for their babies.

It offers many important services, including free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, options counseling, adoption referrals, parenting classes, Bible studies, and support groups. Caring Families also offers expectant and new mothers important material resources like baby clothes, diapers, cribs, and car seats. In order to reach more women in need, Caring Families even runs a mobile pregnancy center called MobileCare, which makes regularly scheduled visits to Hartford and other communities in Connecticut.

The mission of Caring Families is to bring hope to women who may feel like abortion is their only option and to empower those women to make life-affirming choices. 

What: Caring Families v. City of Hartford

In 2017, the city of Hartford passed Ordinance No. 25-17—a law that forces pro-life pregnancy centers to post signs and begin conversations with a government-scripted disclaimer. The disclaimer incorrectly implies that the centers are not qualified to provide the free services they offer because there is not a licensed medical professional on site at all times. But many of the various free services Caring Families provides can be done safely, effectively, and lawfully without a medical professional present.

If Caring Families did not post this sign, it faces fined of up to $100 each day that it refused.

This is a lot like the California law the Supreme Court struck down in National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA) v. Becerra in 2018. That law forced pro-life pregnancy centers to refer for abortions. Just like the California law, Hartford’s law specifically targeted pro-life pregnancy centers and forced them to speak a message that hurts their own mission.

“Hartford claims it’s promoting comprehensive information about health care but only interferes with specific views about life, pregnancy, motherhood—a double standard that’s both troubling and unconstitutional,” saidADF Senior Counsel Denise Harle

Hartford’s ordinance threatened Caring Families’ free speech rights. So, with the help of ADF attorneys, Caring Families filed a lawsuit against the city of Hartford, challenging its unconstitutional law.

When: April 2019—July 2020

Caring Families filed its lawsuit in April 2019, challenging the City of Hartford’s ordinance in federal court. Thankfully, in July 2020, city officials clarified what services are considered medical and conceded that the law does not apply to Caring Families, because they always have medical personnel on site when providing any medical services to women. Based on this understanding the parties jointly dismissed the case.

Where: Hartford, Connecticut

Caring Families has been serving women and families in and around the Hartford, Connecticut, area since 1986.

Why: To stand for every person’s right to speak freely

Every American has the right to speak freely. It’s protected by the First Amendment.

We usually think about violations of free speech as censorship—the government preventing someone from saying something. But it can be violated in the other direction, too: the government forcing someone to express something against their beliefs.

This is compelled speech. And the U.S. Supreme Court made clear in its 2018 decision in NIFLA v. Becerra, and numerous other cases, that compelled speech of this sort is unconstitutional.

Note: *This article is from Pregnancy Help News, and was NOT written by the Pregnancy Care Center team. To read the original article on the Pregnancy Help News site, click here.

Insert Your Greatest Fear

By Natalie Bailey, Administrative Assistant

When we hold certain convictions to be truth, at times it can give us blinders as to the experiences or realities of other people’s lives. I was personally confronted with this when I found myself in a study of the book of Leviticus. It references a Canaanite practice of sacrificing one’s own children to their god, Molek. But God commands His people not to be like the Canaanites, however after years of living in community with them and their culture, we read that some Israelites began participating in the ritual of child sacrifice. As I read about these ancient practices, I felt such shock that people would allow for the death of their children to this false god. My thoughts bounced from “How ridiculous and stupid must they be?” to “There is nothing I could imagine that would lead me to kill my precious two children.” 

And yet, this was occurring with people that are far more like me than I was willing to admit. I have the same sinful nature as those Israelites, so I think the better question to be considering is what circumstances existed, or what lies had been exchanged for the truth, that would convince a person that the best solution for obstacles they were facing would be to kill their child. Perhaps they were experiencing fear and uncertainty, perhaps it was for status and reputation, or maybe it was out of hopelessness and desperation. While the root may have varied, the resulting act was tragic. 

It would be easy to simply stop at my feelings of sorrow and disgust toward the Israelites’ child sacrificing practice, but instead in His compassion, God calls me to insert my own greatest fear. What do I wrongly believe I could not live without and what extreme measures would I take to ensure I don’t have to? Are there choices I regret making as I have protected my own idols? 

God spends so much time in Scripture telling us to examine our own hearts. When we stop and consider the condition of our own sin, when we recognize how far from His good ways we line up and how often we root our hopes in something besides Him, it’s suddenly not so difficult to see how the Israelites felt desperate enough to sacrifice to the false god, Molek. And yet despite my propensity to wander, I have a God in heaven who loves me so much, He sent His son to die for me.  

In this cultural moment we find ourselves yet again sacrificing our children at altars. Not altars to the false god Molek, but to the idols of comfort, success, freedom, and security. In an often desperate, confused and hopeless state many believe that there is no other alternative to an unplanned pregnancy except abortion. It made me wonder, what are the circumstances and what lies have they been told that would make them believe that in order to achieve the best life possible, they need to end their unborn child’s life? 

Through your support of Pregnancy Care Center, you are giving a sanctuary for women and men facing unplanned pregnancy and a place of refuge and rest in a noisy, chaotic world. You’re providing a place that meets them where they are, and helps them wade through the lies, fears, and hurdles that are in front of them. This is a place that shows them the inherent value of every life, including their own. You’re helping them cut through the desperation with hope that is only found in Christ. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for providing our patients with pregnancy solutions, practical resources, and the caring support they need, so that rather than just surviving, they can thrive.

Newsletter, Winter-Spring 2020

Life Care Newsletter, Fall 2019

Facts on Abortion, 2019

This report includes the most recent trends concerning abortion in the United States. From 1973 to 2017, more than

160 million lives have been lost to abortion. While the cumulative abortion numbers will continue to increase, the

data reveals that the abortion rate has continued to decline while the percentage of women obtaining medicinally- induced abortions has increased. Almost all abortions occur during the first trimester -- 91 percent at or before 13 weeks; however, abortions happening during the first six weeks of pregnancy increased 16 percent from 2004 to 2013.

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