What an incredible time to partner with the Pregnancy Resource Center! Our mission is to prevent abortion and present eternal truth. So far this year, 107 babies have been saved and 35 men and women have made professions of faith.
On May 1st, the 6-week abortion ban went into effect in Florida. We have been preparing for months for this new legislation to pass and we are ready to meet the need.
On the very first day of the new abortion ban, we had a heart-wrenching encounter that underscored the immediate effects of this legislation. A woman came to us who had taken the abortion pill the previous night, far beyond the recommended 10-week limit. This tragic decision led to the premature delivery of a 20-week-old baby. Our Texas colleagues (they previously had a 6-week ban on abortion and knew what to expect) had been preparing us for months for what we would see, and it was happening on day one. Post abortive women looking for help and healing after making a difficult decision and not knowing where to turn next.
Our center has seen a significant increase in the number of women seeking our services. To accommodate this surge, we have adjusted our schedules to double book appointments, as the urgency for support has increased. Instead of scheduling follow-up scans a week later, we now see patients within 2-3 days. To further address the complex situations these women are facing, we have hired our first counselor to provide the necessary guidance and support.
We have expanded our Next Steps program eligibility to welcome more participants. This program is designed to support mothers who choose life for their babies. In response to the growing demand, we are preparing to launch group classes for the first time, in addition to our existing one-on-one sessions with volunteers. Our nurses will offer classes on childbirth, newborn care, and breastfeeding, ensuring expectant parents are well-prepared. Additionally, a team of staff and volunteers will teach a new class called Engaged Parenting. We are also partnering with local church groups to provide meals and further support to these soon-to-be parents, equipping and empowering them to build strong families rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
God has assembled an incredible team at the Pregnancy Resource Center, ready to rise to the challenges, love them well and serve in the power of Jesus Christ. Thank you for standing with us and making a difference in the lives of so many.
God Bless,
Nicole Shanks
Executive Director
Pregnancy Resource Center of SW Florida