Miscellaneous
Victoria's Story
Victoria and Christiana
I am forever grateful for the Bowie Pregnancy Clinic, and especially my counselor, Marsha, who I first met in May 2000. This is my story.
Upon the realization that I had missed my period, my heart immediately sank at the thought that I could possibly be pregnant. I was only a 15 year old high school student. What would I do? I thought there was no possible way I could bring a child into this world and be able to meet all the needs that a child would need. As panic sunk in, I called my then boyfriend (now husband) and he drove to my house with a home pregnancy test. Our hearts were racing as we awaited the results…. the home pregnancy test showed that I was indeed pregnant. Not knowing what to do, we researched pregnancy centers in the hopes that they could provide more information and advice on our options. That is when we found the Bowie Pregnancy Clinic.
Our minds were pretty made up when we arrived for our appointment at the Clinic. We had decided that having an abortion was the best option. There were so many factors working against us having a baby, it just made the most sense to not have the baby. We met our counselor, Marsha, who spoke with us for nearly two hours that day. She was such a kind and caring woman, who answered every question we had with no absolutely no judgment. She not once frowned upon us when we told her what we wanted to do, but instead educated us on our potential options. At the end of our counseling session, she invited us to come back that following Wednesday for a sonogram. Even though we already had our minds set on the abortion, we agreed.
I remember Marsha calling me every day until my Wednesday sonogram to check on how I was doing. She would always end our phone conversations with a prayer, which as time went on, I found extremely comforting.
The Wednesday sonogram was such an eye opening experience. There, we found out our due date and was able to listen to our baby’s actual heartbeat. That was a truly breathtaking experience. That moment itself completely changed our lives.
As we highly contemplated changing our decision of having an abortion to keeping the baby, we faced many, many obstacles. Our parents disapproved of our decision, we had to figure out what we were going to do about our schooling, we had to find a place to live, we had to find jobs, and so much more in the preparation of having and raising a baby, and especially at such a young age. Through every step of the way, every obstacle we had to overcome, Marsha and the Clinic were there for us. Marsha would call us weekly, sometimes daily, to check on how we were doing and would offer us endless encouragement through each and every obstacle. With her support and with the support of all of the prayers we had from the Clinic, we overcame every obstacle… even the seemingly impossible ones.
On January 6, 2001, we gave birth to a beautiful healthy baby girl that we named Christiana. Marsha was one of the first people we called with the great news. She came almost immediately with her hands full of gifts from herself and the Clinic. Our parents, who initially disapproved with our decision, were overjoyed with the birth of their first
granddaughter. Time stood still and everything changed once we brought Christiana into our lives. The seemingly impossible obstacles that once stood in our way somehow found paths and we felt, for the first time in our lives, that everything happens for a reason and everything was going to be okay.
Today, my husband Christian and I have been happily together for 15 years. We have both worked extremely hard balancing work and finishing school while raising a child and are currently working in our careers as an Engineer and a Paralegal. We got married in 2006 and had our second daughter, Mia, in 2009. Christiana, our oldest, is now a 13 year old honor roll student getting ready to enter high school. Christiana and Mia are, without a doubt, the joys of our lives and we could not imagine life without them.
I say that the Bowie Pregnancy Clinic helped saved my daughter’s life because they opened up our eyes and gave us the knowledge, the strength and the encouragement to help us carry out our decision in keeping our baby. The Clinic brought our counselor, Marsha, into our life who guided us through each tough obstacle that a young teen faces having a baby at a young age. Without her, or the Clinic, our daughter would not be here today. But I also say the Bowie Pregnancy Clinic helped saved my life because in deciding that I wanted to keep my daughter, it opened up my eyes as to my life goals, and it gave me the push I needed to fulfill them. I am advocating for this Clinic because it truly saves lives.
Marcella's Story
Meet Our Moms 2015
Meet Our Moms - Babies Go to Congress 2015
Khalilah's Story
Khalilah and Ashton
Almost a year ago, I had my beautiful, happy, crazy, yet very high-maintenance baby boy, Ashton. Before I found out I was pregnant, I was scared. I had no idea how I was going to do this alone, with no job, and trying to finish high school. At first, I hadn’t planned on parenting Ashton, and was leaning towards adoption. Adoption seemed like the best option at the time because I didn’t feel ready to have a child, and had not even planned on having children. I wasn’t ready for the late night poopy diapers, the sleepless nights, the tears, and most of all- I wasn’t mentally or emotionally ready to be a mother. I wasn’t ready to be anyone’s source of reliability!
The September before Ashton was born, I started a program at Matrix, called Earn While You Learn. It was easy to open up to my mentor as the time went on. The more classes I took, I felt closer and closer to my Matrix family. They cared about, comforted, and informed me about so much regarding caring for my son. Through an ultrasound, they showed me that the baby growing inside of me was so much more than just a fetus or “tissue”. I learned that I have many other options besides abortion. I learned there is so much more to parenting than I thought, but that with a little help I could really do it. I eventually decided parenting was the best choice for me and Ashton.
Almost a year later, I feel like being Ashton’s mom is a job that comes so naturally now. It can be easy at times, but it can also be hard. It can actually be harder than most people think. It takes everything in me to keep up with Ashton, be emotionally and mentally prepared for the good and the bad. I think I have grown with my son so much. I’m honestly so proud of both him and myself as we have grown and continue to grow together and keep up with each other. Something about carrying Ashton for 9 months and being his mom has changed my life so much. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. With my Matrix family and the crazy amount of support I have, I can say I honestly wouldn’t have made it alone.
The Selfless Selfie
Take a "Selfless Selfie"!
Let everyone know how you are participating in #GivingTuesday and that you support Heartbeat International by taking a Selfless Selfie.
Step One: Click here and print your selfless selfie page.
Step Two: Hold the page up and take a selfie.
Step Three: Post the selfie to Heartbeat's Facebook page with the hashtag #heroesforheartbeat
Step Four: Share your selfless selfie with your friends and family and encourage them to do the same!
Step Five: HAVE FUN!!!
Life Reach Global FAQs
Life Reach Global FAQs
Will all of my donation be sent to the international organization?
Generally all designated donations will be forwarded to the organization less any costs for transferring monies. In some cases an affiliation fee and/or an administrative fee (not exceed 3% of the gift) will be deducted. Current affiliation with Heartbeat is a minimum requirement for participation in the program and the international organization is given the option to pay directly or have affiliation fees deducted. (Currently the annual affiliation cost for an international organization is $70USD.)
In the unexpected event that an international organization is not able to receive the donation (i.e. discontinuing operation, disruption in communication, lapsing affiliation) Heartbeat reserves the right to return the gift to the donor or redirect funds to a similar international purpose.
What are “money transfer costs”?
Money transfer costs are the fees and charges associated with moving monies from our U.S. bank to the international organization. Usually money transfer costs include currency exchange fees and charges for an electronic transfer option (bank wire transfer, online money transfer, etc.). Bank wire transfers generally are a fixed cost (i.e. $40USD) while online money transfer requires a “transaction fee” which is usually a small percentage of the overall amount of the transaction (similar to credit card costs).
How soon will the international organization receive donated funds?
After internal processing of the gift, we will forward the funds to the international organization on, at least, a quarterly basis. However, amounts forwarded need to substantially exceed money transfer costs. Example, a single gift of $20USD might cost $40USD to transfer (assuming it’s to a country that does not permit online money transfers). In such cases, the donation will be held for additional donations to accrue to make the transfer of funds beneficial to the receiving organization.
Will I receive a receipt for my donation?
Heartbeat International will receipt all donations, usually as an immediate response to your gift given online via the specific campaign page. As a donor to Heartbeat, you should also expect to receive follow-up information about Heartbeat International and its missional efforts. As always you can unsubscribe to email sends and/or communicate directly with us to limit future communications. Heartbeat never sells donor information.
Will the international organization receive my donor information?
Heartbeat International will only pass along donor contact information and not any transactional information (like credit card or banking numbers) so that the receiving organization is in a position to thank their donors and provide additional information about their life-affirming outreach. A donor may opt to remain anonymous by checking the appropriate box at the time of making the gift.
Can I give my donation directly to the international organization?
Yes, anyone can provide funding directly to a worthwhile work outside the U.S.; however, such donations will likely not be tax deductible since international organizations are not recognized by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (I.R.S.). Heartbeat International is able to receive such gifts and receipt for tax deductions because of our international mission and having taken the appropriate I.R.S. steps.
If tax deductibility is not a concern (giving already from a foundation or existing non-profit) then the primary benefit for a gift through Heartbeat is to leverage our connection with the international organization. Each organization is vetted through an approval process that includes length of affiliation (more than one year) and other proof of program activities and outcomes.
We’re a U.S. pregnancy help organization. Can we give directly to the international organization?
Yes, a U.S. non-profit can generally give a contribution to an international organization as long as there is clear missional alignment (identified within your articles, by-laws) and that of the intended international organization. If it is desired to regularly fund an international organization or multiple organizations your U.S. non-profit should investigate I.R.S. regulations and enact appropriate steps as Heartbeat has done.
Will Heartbeat receive funds for a group not on its approved list?
Heartbeat International cannot take responsibility for directed donations apart from our current list of approved organizations and joint affiliation partners. We welcome introductions to new life-affirming pregnancy help organizations outside the U.S. Affiliation with Heartbeat is always the first step toward a potential future listing through our Life Reach Global program. If the gift is received through our campaign page directed to a non-approved organization, Heartbeat’s options are to contact the donor for re-allocation, return (credit) the gift back to the donor or redirect the gift within the program.
How does a current or prospective Heartbeat international affiliate become part of the Life Reach Global program?
Interested life-affirming pregnancy help organizations need to complete the application process in its entirety for consideration in the Life Reach Global program. Current affiliation for at least 12 months is the first prerequisite.
Does Heartbeat International actively promote the individual international organizations in the Life Reach Global program?
Heartbeat International accepts no responsibility for advertising or promoting individual organizations involved in the Life Reach Global program apart from establishing the funding opportunity on our website and providing a related listing and donation page. From time to time we may highlight the program and potential success stories within it. Participating organizations should promote their participation in the program and their campaign page to their current and prospective supporters.
Heartbeat’s Life Reach Global is a way for our international affiliates, who meet our requirements and fulfill our approval process, to have a venue for U.S.-based donors to contribute funds to their life-affirming efforts.
If you are an international affiliate that would like to participate in our Life Reach Global, download the Life Reach Global Application:
Heartbeat has long valued and encouraged starting and supporting pregnancy help efforts in communities across the globe. The U.S. has a myriad of LIFE-minded citizens who have great interest or affinity for a particular country, people group or community in other parts of the globe. Life Reach Global can be a portal to extend to our international affiliates “life-giving help in a life-saving way.”
If you are not receiving regular correspondence from Heartbeat or feel we do not have your current contact information, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
All financial gifts received designated for our approved “alliance” affiliates will be forwarded to them in a reasonable timeframe (usually upon exceeding $250US). Heartbeat International deducts the cost of transferring funds plus a 2% administrative fee from the transfer, to help defray internal cost for money transfers, currency conversion, clerical costs, bank fees, and any processing fees that might be charged. Should any funds be unable to be forwarded – primarily related to the recipient - they may be reallocated for similar international work.
Click a country in green below to find a Life Reach Global partner.
International Partners
Country Index
Africa
Uganda - Pregnancy Care Ministry
Uganda - Silent Voices
Asia
Central/South America
Europe
Bosnia Herzegovina - Voice for Life (Glas za Život)
Bosnia Herzegovina - Center for Life LIGHTHOUSE (Centar za Život SVJETIONIK)
North America
Caribbean
More...
One in Two Million, but Never Forgotten
Morgan stood in the airport, watching the crowds of humanity bustle by.
Businessmen checking their phones for emails, travelers standing in line in the food court. Everybody seemed so occupied.
Nobody could know her inner turmoil.
Carrying a pregnancy she hadn't expected, Morgan's family was deeply divided between life and death. She was only 18 years old.
As she boarded the plane for her mother's town, Morgan felt lost and insignificant. Forgotten in a crowd.
Did anybody care?
At her mother's house in Washington state, Morgan knew she had come to the right place.
She'd become pregnant while living with her father. Morgan's father wanted her to abort her baby. The appointment was scheduled.
But Morgan never went to the clinic. Instead, her mother paid for a flight to her town.
In the meantime, her mother called Option Line. She wanted to know if there was a pregnancy help center nearby.
There was. And, as it turned out, it was the very center where Morgan and her mother had volunteered when Morgan was a young girl.
Now, Morgan is in good hands, thanks in part to the help of Option Line®, Heartbeat International's 24/7, 365-day per year pregnancy helpline.
Morgan is one of two million lives touched by Option Line since we first answered in 2003. Each day, Option Line answers 500+ calls, texts, emails, and live chats from women who, just like Morgan, are caught between a rock and a hard place--between life and death--and find life-affirming help, right when they need it most.
Even though she's one in two million, Morgan, her mother, and her child won't be forgotten in our crowd.
Thank you for your submission
Heartbeat will contact you directly to let you know if you qualify to continue the process of the scholarship application.
Please note, your survey submission does not mean you are automatically granted a scholarship and these funds would only be available to those attending the New Director Track.