Take the REAL Quiz about Pregnancy Centers!

NARAL Pro-Choice America is continuing their old tactics of spreading false accusations about pregnancy centers. In fact, their latest gimic is a quiz being circulated on the Internet which specifically targets Care Net.

Find out the truth for yourself! Spend two minutes and take Care Net's "REAL Quiz about Pregnancy Centers" - then forward it to your contacts!

The best way to respond to this negativity is to initiate a postiive, pro-active communications strategy in your community. Help get out the truth by sharing the Inspire Life website with a friend or joining our conversation on Facebook.

***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 14, 2010

CARE NET RESPONDS TO ANTI-PREGNANCY CENTER 'QUIZ' FROM NARAL, RELEASES THE 'REAL QUIZ ABOUT PREGNANCY CENTERS'


LANSDOWNE, VA -- The following statement was released by Care Net in response to NARAL Pro-Choice America's anti-pregnancy center "quiz":

"Abortion advocacy groups like NARAL have been working hard this year to perpetuate the 'boogeyman' idea that the work of pregnancy centers is harming women," said Kristin Hansen, Care Net's Vice President of Communications. "Every day, there’s a new blog post, video, 'undercover report,' or now, here’s a flashy quiz to help build an email list and raise money. These scare tactics are riddled with false accusations and are meant to deter women from visiting pregnancy centers for help. That's why Care Net has released the 'REAL Quiz about Pregnancy Centers' to counter NARAL's negativity with the truth.

"If you take a closer look, you see that the negative information about pregnancy centers comes from the same people who are usually a staff person, volunteer, or member of an abortion advocacy group. The complaints do not come from actual clients, who regularly give high approval ratings of the pregnancy center they visited.

"As an affiliation group of more than 1,100 pregnancy centers, Care Net is proud of the amazing work of pregnancy centers that strive to serve individuals with excellence, integrity, and compassion. It’s hard, thankless, volunteer work, but incredibly rewarding and life-giving. Those serving in pregnancy centers should be thanked and supported.

"Despite these ongoing attacks from NARAL, a growing number of people are getting excited about the compassionate work of pregnancy centers. Care Net sees wonderful doors opening this year as more community leaders are stepping up to open new pregnancy centers in cities where there are few or none. Every day, someone’s heart is touched with the vision of reaching out to women facing unplanned pregnancies with practical help and emotional support. There's no new mean-spirited quiz or negative campaign that can prevent the growth of this positive movement in the hearts of volunteers across America."


Kristin Hansen is Vice President of Communications at Care Net.

The Younger Generations – We Are More Pro-Life Than Ever Before

There have been a number of articles published recently stating that the younger generations are more pro-life than previous generations. In fact, the very face of the pro-life movement is becoming younger and younger. LifeSiteNews.com’s article, NARAL’s President Admits: Pro-Aborts Aging; Pro-Lifers Young and Zealous, explores this change and features three young pro-life leaders.

After years of listening to angry rhetoric, younger Americans are turning a deaf ear to mouth pieces that simply spout clichés, slogans and heated words. Instead, they are putting action to their beliefs and indeed doing their best to change the world, regardless of the issue.

As a member of this younger generation, my beliefs definitely influence how I decide to take action on how to make a change. Even before I was actively seeking God, I wanted to go about things in a positive, friendly and encouraging way. Are there still people in my generation who would prefer to make a change by holding signs and protesting for everyone to see? Sure. But from my experience, most of the people I know are moving in a direction of “behind the scenes” work in order to make a difference. We want to be involved in a way that is productive and allows us to “get our hands dirty” and see a change in the movements we feel passionate about. It is important for us to see the difference that we are making.

What have been your observations of the younger generation’s actions? Are they consistent with my experiences? You can also read Kay Sanford’s post for more reasons why my generation is more pro-life.

The message of love and hope offered by pregnancy centers correlates to the undercurrent of change this generation is seeking. This group of dedicated, compassionate people put their beliefs into action by providing practical help to those in need. Whether you agree or disagree with the beliefs of pregnancy center workers, one thing is for sure – these people take their work seriously by avoiding the anger of the past and focusing on tangible ways to impact the women in their community.

Kim Rice is Program Specialist for the Center for Organizational Excellence at Care Net. Kim can be reached at krice@care-net.org.

Chilli: 'I cried almost every day for almost 9 years after my abortion'

A friend and pregnancy center leader from Pennsylvania sent me this clip this morning from VH1's "What Chilli Wants" show. Chilli, an R&B/Hip-Hop singer originally from the girl group TLC, shares with a therapist on national TV about the regret and impact of a past abortion.

I was struck by Chilli's comments about how she felt that choosing abortion was not a position of strength as a woman and that she felt that she had compromised who she really was.

I was so sad to hear that she had "cried almost every day for almost nine years." Wow. Do you think that women know that this is how they may feel on the other side of an abortion?

At Care Net pregnancy centers, women are informed that there is a potential of significant negative emotional effects after an abortion. Women deserve to know! Would you like to be a part of providing emotional support and critical information to women at a local pregnancy center? Find out how you can get involved by visiting the Inspire Life website.

The Paralegal Goes to Washington!

I was thrilled to be invited to a briefing hosted by the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus to celebrate Mother’s Day by honoring the work of pregnancy centers across the nation. As an adoptee, mother of three, and a long-time pro-life advocate, I relish these rare opportunities to see my passions shared and expressed by elected officials in Washington, D.C.  And, this event definitely did not disappoint!

Source: The Architect of the Capitol

As I walked the hallowed halls of the Cannon House Office Building for the first time, I pondered the activities of the representatives as I passed the marked doors. Texas … Oklahoma … California (my home state) …and I finally arrived at room 210.

I entered to find a small (for that building) committee meeting room. Several large tables formed a rectangle surrounded by chairs on all sides. In the center of the room stood a small podium and an overhead projector screen. The décor was “modern meets conservative” - large flat screen TV’s intermixed with solemn paintings of historic famous congressmen.

Approximately 25 people were in attendance. There were men and women of various ages and backgrounds, some in suits and others more casually attired. Some were furiously taking notes while others were multi-tasking by texting on their Blackberries.

Representatives Joe Pitts (R – Pennsylvania) and Michelle Bachmann, (R – Michigan) were the the featured speakers. This was my third opportunity to hear Ms. Bachmann speak regarding her passions, and I found her yet again to be articulate and energetic. She praised pregnancy centers for lovingly serving women in their communities.

Speakers included those from national pro-life groups: Care Net, NIFLA, and Heartbeat International, along with representatives from Option Line, pregnancy centers, and a maternity home. They spoke to the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus staff members and other attendees on the impact that life-affirming ministries throughout the country are making on reducing abortion and serving women during their time of deepest need. For complete details on the topics covered during this briefing, visit the Care Net website. 

Melissa Macy is a paralegal at Care Net.  She can be reached at mmacy@care-net.org.  

Planned Parenthood to Open Largest U.S. Facility in Houston

“A plan you can love with” is a slogan that may be suitable for a life insurance policy designed to provide for your children. However, it’s actually the slogan for Planned Parenthood of Houston and Southeast Texas, a 21 million dollar organization that reportedly performed 8,200 abortions last year. This week, they will move into their new 78,000 square foot building, which is the largest Planned Parenthood facility in the U.S.

Opening May 11th, the new facility will enable Planned Parenthood to greatly expand their ability to perform abortions, even up to 25 weeks, according to Houston Coalition for Life. (Planned Parenthood claims that they will only perform them up to 20 weeks as part of their “compassionate healthcare” services.) This new facility also happens to be conveniently adjacent to the University of Houston.

Care Net President Melinda Delahoyde said, “We must lift up the city of Houston in prayer. Please pray that, despite this new facility, abortions would decrease in the surrounding areas. Pray for the pregnancy centers in Houston. There are many Care Net pregnancy centers there that are strong but need your support. Pray that, despite this well-funded and prominent facility, a culture of life would flourish in this city.”

Kristin Hansen is Vice President of Communications at Care Net. She can be reached at khansen@care-net.org.

Canada: Abortion Doesn't Equal Maternal and Child Health; Sec. Clinton Disagrees

Something good is afoot in Canada. On Monday, April 27th, Canadian government leaders announced that funding abortion would not be a component of the country's agenda for improving maternal and child health at the upcoming G8 summit on global development.

The announcement flies in the face of Secretary of State Hilary Clinton's advocacy on the matter at a pre-summit meeting in March:

"You cannot have maternal health without reproductive health. And reproductive health includes contraception and family planning and access to legal, safe abortion," said Secretary Clinton in response to questions about the U.S. position on the matter.

The announcement on April 27th was made by Canada's International Cooperation Minister Bev Oda:

"Canada’s contribution to maternal and child health may involve various interventions, including family planning, which includes the use of contraceptive methods,” said Oda, who heads the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), according to the Toronto Star. “The details remain to be determined; however, Canada’s contribution will not include funding of abortions.”

While that's great news, let it be known that Canada has funded International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) since the mid-1980s, according to the Toronto Star. IPPF is involved in promoting and performing abortion around the globe. So, consider the move by Canada only a first step, but by no means a "baby step" for Canada.

Also of note, Canada chose to make the announcement side-by-side with U.S. leaders in an attempt to smooth over their differences. Minister Oda was joined by Rajiv Shaw, chief administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development. At the press conference Shaw spoke out about the need for "safe abortion" but claimed that the U.S. and Canada were not at odds on abortion and global aid. (Isn't it interesting when leaders can say one thing and do another?)

Washington Post columnist and former Bush speechwriter Michael Gerson, calls Secretary of State Clinton's advocacy an "abortion grenade" that threatens the bi-partisan, U.S. coalition on global development which has successfully come together to help combat diseases like AIDS and malaria, without promoting abortion. In his words, her pro-abortion advocacy is not only an affront to countries taking a pro-life stand, it also risks our national consensus on global aid. If that's lost, so may be the critical, life-saving support for hurting countries, particularly in Africa.

But let's celebrate the good news in Canada. The fact that their government leaders had the political will to come to this pro-life decision reflects the growing culture of life that is not only taking hold in the U.S. but across North America. While many factors contribute to these changes, we know that the compassionate work of pregnancy centers across Canada plays an integral role.

There are 70 pregnancy centers ("centres" in Canada) that are affiliated with Care Net, as well as our "sister" organization, the Canadian Association of Pregnancy Support Services (CAPSS). CAPPS held their national conference this past week and Care Net's own Jeanneane Maxon was there, teaching some workshops on best practices. Keep their work in your prayers, as well as those in the Canadian government who are taking a courageous stand for life.


Kristin Hansen is Vice President of Communications at Care Net. She can be reached at khansen@care-net.org.

Protecting the Right to Life of Those with Intellectual Disabilities

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell recently amended the state’s FY2011-2012 budget to exclude tax-payer funded elective abortions for low-income residents. This has sparked a furor within the pro-choice community, in particular, NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia. Life News reports that “the group suggests the Virginia governor should support ‘a small, but significant group of women who seek abortion care due to fetal abnormality’ and it claimed McDonnell is attempting ‘to curb access to care for women.’” The types of fetal abnormalities for which a woman might procure an elective abortion include a wide swath of disabilities, among them Down Syndrome.

This proposed amendment and the debate surrounding it brought to mind a blog post published in the New York Times a few months back, in which the mother of two young boys with Down Syndrome wrote compellingly of their inherent value as human beings and the important contribution the boys make to their family and society, not in spite of their disability, but precisely because of it.

The article is a poignant reminder that in seeking to eliminate any aberration from the norm through prenatal screening and elective abortion not only are women and families hurt, but society as a whole loses the gift of a unique and very precious life. It is true that abortion immediately hurts those intimately involved – mother, father, baby and extended family, but any abortion, and in this case abortions of those with intellectual disabilities, also deprives the world of a special group of people who play a key role “in creating a more humane, compassionate, and hospitable society…[and] as a society, we need what people with intellectual disabilities have to offer.”

Elise Pino is Center Services Manager at Care Net. She can be reached at epino@care-net.org.