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“Six years ago my life began unraveling… I was 22 and had lost my job, which resulted in eviction from my apartment. To further magnify these desperate events, the matriarch of my family died within hours of me finding out I was pregnant. Terminating the pregnancy was not my first option, but without resources, I had little hope of carrying to term, let alone raising a child on my own. A relative suggested Pregnancy Care Center. I went for an appointment and immediately found hope as they gave me emotional support, referred me for medical care, and connected me to other needed resources. Kathy, my mentor, was able to find a maternity home for me until I found permanent housing.” Julianne Fanning rejected the choice to abort her baby and accepted the help of her local pregnancy center, six years later she brought her son Nikolas to Washington D.C. as part of Heartbeat’s Babies Go to Congress™
Women Voice Their Gratitude for the Good Work of Pregnancy CentersBabies Coo for Reducing Abortion 
On July 16, 2009, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-MN) hosted a congressional briefing where Heartbeat International President Peggy Hartshorn, Ph.D. and Vice President of Ministry Support Joe Young had an opportunity to speak about Heartbeat’s Babies Go to Congress™. Since it began in January, Heartbeat’s Babies Go to Congress™ has reached more than 40 congressional offices, representing 20 states, along with many senate offices. The goal is to make contact with elected officials from every state. Congresswoman Bachmann affirmed the good work of Heartbeat International’s network of affiliates and expressed her concerns about the proposed “healthcare reform” legislation that is now working its way through congress. She brought needed attention to the fact that taxpayer funding of abortion will actually increase the number of abortion by as much as 30%, not reduce them as President Obama has promised. At the briefing, Peggy Hartshorn recognized the 16 participants that Heartbeat had brought to Capitol Hill, including three pregnancy center directors, five moms, and five babies. One of the moms was thrilled to be pregnant with twins. Executive Director Cindi Boston reported that in nine years of operating the Pregnancy Care Center in Springfield, Missouri, her center has reached more than 100,000 people in Southwest Missouri, and that abortions rates have decreased by more than 53% and teen pregnancies have decline more than 20%. Former client Kendra Howerton shared how she was helped by the pregnancy center in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Kendra is grateful for the way her life and the life of her family was transformed by the good work of the Stillwater Life Services. Video clips of the congressional briefing on Heartbeat’s Babies Go To Congress™ (with one baby cooing in the background) are available on YouTube. This year, Heartbeat International launched Babies Go to Congress™ to give women, served by their local pregnancy center, the opportunity to bring their babies who were at risk of abortion to visit their elected officials on Capitol Hill. Heartbeat facilitates meetings with former pregnancy center clients from all over the country (along with their pregnancy center’s director) and their congressional representatives so these satisfied clients can voice their gratitude for pregnancy centers. On July 16, 2009, Heartbeat provided a forum for women representing eight congressional districts to deliver a clear message to Congress: “Pregnancy centers are good for America.” “Heartbeat’s pregnancy centers serve women with unexpected pregnancies without any financial motivation. Our objective is to provide women with the help and resources they need to welcome a new life. This includes helping them to recognize their own inherent value,” said Heartbeat International President Peggy Hartshorn, Ph.D. “Women have been thanking pregnancy centers for this life-affirming help for decades and we want to give these women an opportunity to tell their stories to Congress.” The following are some of the testimonies from women served by Heartbeat International pregnancy centers who shared their stories through Heartbeat’s Babies Go to Congress™. Pregnancy Centers Transform Lives and Families
My sister and I both were carrying scars from a severely abusive childhood. In fact, I had been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and was living a purposeless life, dependent upon government aide for my livelihood. No one had instilled purpose into my sister or me, that is, until we became involved in the pregnancy center. The people at Stillwater Life Services (SLS) provided a non-judgmental atmosphere, allowing my sister and me to experience healing from the abuse in our childhood. They cheered us on as we continued to shed the layers of pain and as we explored options for our future. Over time, I became a volunteer leading a support group for single mothers. I decided to go to college with the hope that I could serve in a larger capacity in a center like SLS. Eventually I began working as the Assistant Director, while continuing my education. I raised support for a program that provided education to young men and women with the purpose of preventing child abuse and neglect. The Director announced that she was leaving the center and just a few short weeks later, I was chosen to serve as the new Executive Director. I now live my life much differently: I am a productive citizen who believes in making a valuable contribution to the community I live in. I have the privilege of remaining in contact with many of the clients SLS has served. I have watched multiple young women achieve success in their college careers, while also becoming excellent mothers. Some people may think you cannot achieve both, but I have had the privilege to work with women who have persevered and became stronger because of their decision to choose life. If it weren’t for Stillwater Life Services, I honestly do not know where I would be today. The staff, board and volunteers at this pregnancy center invested a great deal into mine and my family’s lives. The results of their investment are priceless. My mom has experienced healing from her abortion at the age of 15, my sister and I have experienced healing for past sexual and physical abuse, and we are now contributing to society by investing in people and services we believe in. The investment of volunteers and staff at pregnancy centers across our nation are positively transforming countless men, women and families in the very way my family has been transformed. "If not for Robbinsdale Women’s Center, Ariana may not be here today”
As I stood there staring, that stick with a bright pink bold line through it was like a bold line crossing out my plans. Initially I felt numb. I immediately began rationalizing the situation. I must not feel anything right now. I had heard there was a clinic of some kind that helped women in my situation. I arrived at the Robbinsdale Women’s Center. I leapt out of the car with tears running down my face. I ran in and I remember rambling to the poor woman at the front desk that, “I need to see a doctor about getting rid of this – baby.” Peggy Benicke came out of her office and hugged me. She brought me into her office and sat me down with a box of Kleenex and just listened to me for a little while. She calmly let me know that the Center did not perform abortions. Somehow, Peggy’s words and actions were comforting to me. It was like a life preserver in the hurricane that was now my life. Another pregnancy test was done with the same result – pregnant. Peggy discussed all my options with me; and because I was a Christian she prayed with me. We discussed my family background and how my parents would react to this news. She told me that if needed, Robbinsdale Women’s Center would help me talk to my parents. If I decided to keep the baby, there was help available to me through the Center. Also, she talked to me about the option of making an adoption plan. Finally, she talked to me about the Robbinsdale Women’s Center’s services and referrals for post-abortion counseling if I chose to go ahead with the abortion. After our meeting she asked me to wait at least 24 hours and think about all these options before making my decision. I hardly slept that night. But, I was more rational in my thinking now that I had some time to adjust to what was going on inside me. I went to work the next morning, contemplating keeping the baby versus having the abortion. I knew no matter what decision I made, it was going to change my life forever. Then, I made my final decision and called Peggy to tell her that I would keep my baby. We then scheduled a time to tell my parents and she was so helpful with helping me plan my next move. After my daughter Ariana was born, I would spend hours staring at her and crying because of the other “choice” I could have made. I thank God the Robbinsdale Women’s Center was there to help me every step of the way. “Pregnancy Care Center gave me what I was looking for”
I just wanted some answers. Really, I wanted someone to convince me that abortion was not horrible. I was hoping to be persuaded, but no one could do it. Disappointed, I began narrowing down my options. Adoption or raising the child alone became the two logical choices for me. I began looking for support, desperately hoping someone could calm the storm that was raging inside of me or at least walk with me through it. When my mother mentioned that the Pregnancy Care Center would be a helpful source for me, I was hesitant. I had grown up in church all my life, and begun to grow tired of all the Christian fluff out there. My faith was all but gone at this point. I was fully expecting a pat on the back a few free baby clothes, and then they’d send me on my way. What I got was much more. I was pleasantly surprised by the organization of the staff and the professionalism with which they did their jobs. I have only been involved with the Pregnancy Care Center for a few months, but so far they have given me the following free services: weekly counseling, a free sonogram, educational classes, and baby supplies. I was also given time to meet with an attorney to sort out my concerns over legal issues and protection for both my baby and me. The attorney gave me clear and concise information and it gave me comfort knowing I knew my legal rights. Pregnancy Care Center gave me true pregnancy options. They never told me what I should do – they equipped me with the information I needed to make my own decision. They showed me the similarities and differences between parenting and adoption. I did not feel pressured but was given time and support. I am so relieved that there are pregnancy centers across America that are dedicated to helping women make well-informed and rational decisions. Without this experience, I would have survived, but it would have been a lot harder for me to cope with the day to day challenges. No one should have to face a crisis alone. Pregnancy Care Center gave me what I needed during a desperate time. They do not profit financially from what they do, they just care about helping each individual, and the joy of helping is their reward. They gave to me knowing I could offer them nothing in return, and that alone is worth my admiration and respect. |
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I faced my first crisis pregnancy at the age of 19. When I told my fiancé I was going to have a baby, he was not excited, and he did not welcome fatherhood.
I learned about the pregnancy center when my daughter was three, through a parenting class. A few years later, my sister found herself facing an unplanned pregnancy and was considering abortion. I encouraged my sister to go to the center to learn about her options. I cannot imagine life without my now 7 year old niece. 
It was fall 1995. I was 18 years old and had just finished high school. My life was finally my own. But, my actions with my boyfriend that had taken place a month or so before would throw my life, as I knew it, into a tailspin of utter turmoil and panic. I found out I was pregnant. 
I never thought I would get pregnant. After all, I was the smart one-the careful one. When the nurse uttered the words “it’s positive,” I knew my life would change forever. Those two words hit me like a thousand knives. Once the initial shock and disbelief wore off, I started immediately thinking about my options - adoption, abortion, or parenting. Wanting to make a well informed and logical decision, I set out to explore the pros and cons of all three. First, I talked to the father of the baby, to see if he would be willing to help me raise and support the child should I choose to parent. He proceeded to tell me he would only support an abortion, anything else and I was on my own. Disappointed and realizing I would have to raise the child alone if I chose to parent, I began to explore my second option.