Displaying items by tag: pregnancy help

As the phone center manager for Pregnancy Resource Center of Gwinnett, Georgia, Lana Duffell has very little time to call her own.

Without the persistent effort put forth by Lana and her co-laborers, the call from a local woman or girl facing the desperate circumstance of an unexpected pregnancy might fall through the cracks, and cause her to choose abortion as the only option she can see at the moment.

So most days, Lana keeps her nose to the grindstone and her ear to the phone.

But when Lana and her staff decided to take time off during this Christmas season, she had no concerns about the calls and contacts that were sure to come in. Lana and her staff had full confidence that, even if they wouldn’t be there to answer the phone, Heartbeat International’s Option Line® would.

While Lana and her staff rested and reenergized for the coming year, the staff at Option Line routed a total of 39 calls and contacts to Pregnancy Resource Center, ensuring that not one woman seeking help fell through the cracks.

“Option Line has been there for us on a 24/7 basis, when we are in meetings and also when our phone lines are overwhelming,” Lana says. “With Option Line, we are at peace, knowing that our callers will get a live person who can offer them information about abortion alternatives or set an appointment so that we can do further counseling.

“Option Line answers our calls when we are not available, making the difference between losing a life and saving it.”

Since it opened shop in 2003, Option Line has answered the call more than 1.5 million times, in addition to 2.5 million unique visitors to its website, www.OptionLine.org.

That translates to a staggering amount of birthdays, which otherwise would never have been. For now, we’ll celebrate just one: Happy 10th Birthday, Option Line!

Since answerering its first phone call in early 2003, Heartbeat International's Option Line® has responded to over 1.5 million calls, text messages, emails and instant chats from women and familes facing unexpected pregnancies. Option Line staff are available 24/7, 365 days per year to answer callers' questions and connect them to pregnancy help organizations within their local communities, utlizing Heartbeat's Worldwide Directory of Pregnancy Help.

In their own words... 

The result

Listen to the positive impact Option Line has:

In Fishhoek, South Africa, "Marc and Veronica" hold their newly adopted baby girl and praise God that, after six long years of waiting, He has answered their prayers.

Cradling their daughter, "Jenna", in their arms at the site where she was left by her birth mother, the beaming parents know firsthand the value of the work Baby Safe International is doing.

For Marc and Veronica, the thought of Jenna’s probable fate without Baby Safe’s life-saving innovation is unimaginable. At just a day old, Jenna would likely have been a victim of infanticide—infant exposure—had it not been for the availability of Baby Safe’s deposit box, which empowers desperate mothers with a real choice to preserve the life of their baby.

In South Africa, “baby dumping,” as it is called, is an increasingly common occurrence in both rural and urban areas. Some babies are found in plastic bags in rubbish heaps, others in storm drains, abandoned fields, ditches, alleys, or even in rural homemade toilets.

Some of these children are found, thankfully, alive, while others are found dead—upwards of 500 in the Western Cape of South Africa in 2010 alone—and still more are never found. This sad fact tells us that baby dumping is, by its very nature, widely unreported.

Baby Safe, a nonprofit Heartbeat International affiliate, specifically targets this injustice in its region, just outside of Cape Town, by producing and distributing “baby safes,” where mothers can leave their babies anonymously as a real alternative to the horror of infanticide.

The box has a variety of safety features to insure that proper care will be given to the baby who is left by his or her mother. When a baby’s weight is detected inside the safe, a team of dedicated staff are immediately notified, while a safety backup system assures the baby will be promptly rescued by Baby Safe volunteers.

Through the production and distribution of these boxes, Baby Safe is carefully building a network that enables desperate mothers to choose life for their babies. This network is spreading throughout South Africa, and has broken through the northeastern border to Swaziland.

While its visible efforts are focused on providing an alternative to infanticide for desperate mothers, Baby Safe’s long-term vision is to connect with at-risk women before they reach the point of dumping their babies, with holistic direction that includes Bible studies, parenting classes, nutrition education, and even exercise and dance classes.

To learn more about Baby Safe, and to find out how you can help, visit TheBabySafe.org.

If you have a heart for the ministry of abortion recovery, then you share the Lord’s desire to see women and men healed and restored from an abortion experience.

Abortion creates trauma. Post-Abortion Syndrome (PAS) is the condition occurring in both men and women after the abortion experience due to unresolved psychological and spiritual issues. PAS is actually a form of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a commonly recognized condition that often follows traumatizing events such as witnessing an act of violence or experiencing a natural disaster. Patterns of long-term emotional disorder include: depression, grief, anxiety, helplessness, despair, sorrow, lowered self-esteem, distrust, hostility, dependency on alcohol/chemicals/food/work, guilt, sexuality problems, self-condemnation, weeping, emptiness, distrust, frustration, insomnia, nightmares, dysfunctional relationships, flashbacks, anger, fear of rejection, bitterness, un-forgiveness, fear of commitment, and the inability to form close relationships.

Theresa Burke, PhD, founder of Rachel's Vineyard and co-author with David Reardon of Forbidden Grief: The Unspoken Pain of Abortion says the following:

"Post-abortion healing is a specialty unto itself. The average psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker or counselor of any other academic stripe who does not understand post-abortion issues can often inflict more harm than good on the unsuspecting woman. Many may believe they have enough insight to help, but unless they have had additional training, they often don't. Certainly, if your thoughts and feelings become so overwhelming that you feel you can no longer cope, seek professional assistance immediately. But generally, I encourage you to take the time to find one of the growing numbers of professional therapists and experienced lay counselors who have received special training in post-abortion healing."

Abortion Recovery helps individuals overcome the emotional trauma and spiritual issues experienced after an abortion. Workshops and programs are usually free and are available through local pregnancy help centers, churches and national organizations. Abortion recovery programs should address the following to help participants heal from an abortion experience; grief, guilt, anger, depression, fear, un-forgiveness, shame and defense mechanisms. Teaching on the love, mercy and grace of God should also be included so that healthy reconciliation can occur.

If you desire to start a workshop or group, you can be very effective in serving as a facilitator with the appropriate training and preparation.

Here are some thoughts to keep in mind if you decide to start an abortion recovery program.

• Understand the regret of abortion touches people deeply – emotionally and spiritually.
• Choose yourself to participate in an abortion recovery program to receive and/or confirm healing for any past abortion regret.
• Commit to be non-judgmental.
• Be able to facilitate participants’ movement towards goals while recognizing that person’s healing process involves their own commitment to the process.
• Have a desire to serve and minister to others (not looking for recognition or for fulfillment of personal needs).
• Be able to create a healthy balance between caring for the group members and limitsof responsibility for someone else’s actions.
• Be eager to learn and to realize that everyone is at a different place on their emotional and spiritual journey.

Recommended Heartbeat Resources

• H.E.A.R.T. (Healing the Effects of Abortion Related Trauma)
• H.E.A.R.T. Leader's Guide

Click here for a listing of Abortion Recovery Resources available. 

If you’ve experienced an abortion or participated in the decision-making process, you may be struggling. Click here for resources available to help.

Please contact ministry services for further assistance at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

If you have a heart to open a pregnancy help organization then you are among the many that have a desire to meet the need of women facing unexpected pregnancies. Many pregnancy centers exist today because of the vision that God placed in the heart of an individual like you.

Pregnancy help centers are non-profit organizations established by pro-life supporters that work to assist women who have an unexpected pregnancy. Most pregnancy centers are in the United States, however many have been established overseas. They’re usually affiliated with a pro-life Christian organization such as Heartbeat International. The pregnancy centers provide pregnancy consultation, intervention and support; education and information on pregnancy adoption, abortion, sexually transmitted infections (STIs/STDs); services and referrals for ongoing needs.

Some pregnancy help organizations include medical services like ultrasound to confirm pregnancy, abortion pill reversal, and STI/STD testing. These are considered pregnancy help medical clinics.

5 Critical Questions to Answer First

1. What is the specific need to address?
2. What area and demographic needs to be served?
3. Are any other organizations serving this need for this area/demographic?
4. Is it possible to join or extend the work already existing?
5. Can the community support this need?

We suggest checking Heartbeat’s Worldwide Directory or going to www.OptionLine.org, enter your zip code to see if/what other organizations exist in your area and network with them as you pursue starting a ministry so as to not compete with funding resources in the area.

Often times, we find that a group may wish to open a center in an area where another center has been strategically planning and praying to open. You may actually be the answer to another ministries prayer! Many states have coalitions of pregnancy centers and will be a good reference for you as you start, and then as you grow your center.

Recommended Heartbeat Resources

• Built By Design
• A Vision for Your Organization
• GOVERN Well
• The LOVE Approach

Heartbeat International is here to assist you. Affiliation is complimentary the first year for brand new start-up organizations.  Click here to learn more about the benefits of affiliating with Heartbeat International.

Not your Typical Ministry. Not your Typical Training.

The Pregnancy Help Institute has provided thousands of pregnancy help leaders with professional training over the years. Over time, this training has been adding key elements vital to the pregnancy help movement as services expand. 

And this year is no different. Our 2023 Pregnancy Help Institute will be July 24-28 in Columbus, OH.

We realize you've been to conferences before, but the Pregnancy Help Institute is different. Organized under three intensive tracks (New Director, Development, and Leadership), the Pregnancy Help Institute integrates executive-level instruction in a small-group environment, where you'll have the unparalleled opportunity to process information and strategies with experts and fellow front-line pregnancy help leaders. (Looking for ultrasound training? Click here!)

Pricing

While 2023 prices have not yet been determined, the 2022 pricing is available below for your budgeting convenience. These numbers should only be used as an estimate for this year's Pregnancy Help Institute. Finalized pricing and registration will be available in the Spring.

The New Director Track - for Directors with less than 3 years of experience

I cannot imagine a more fitting training to kick off this new position. I left challenged, inspired, feeling connected to others in the movement. I am humbled and blessed.

If you have less than three years of experience in directing a life-affirming pregnancy center, medical clinic, maternity home, or nonprofit adoption agency, the New Director training is perfect for you. When you combine the wisdom gained from this training with your calling from the Lord, you are truly prepared to navigate effectively, avoid the pitfalls, and increase your effectiveness as a leader. Facilitated by Heartbeat International staff with years of experience in pregnancy help leadership, you'll be in good hands.

Designed for Directors with less than 3 years’ experience leading a pregnancy help organization.

This includes:

• Keys to a Healthy Organization
• Strategic Planning
• Board Governance
• Volunteer Recruitment, Retention, & Training
• Core Client Programs
• Development — Raising Friends and Funds
• Staff Growth & Development
• Energizing Tips to Maintain Focus

This year, for the first time ever, we're hosting a specialized housing cohort within the New Director Track. While maternity housing leaders have always been welcome in all tracks, this year, we're taking the opportunity to provide specific training with a housing perspective for those with less than three years of experience directing a maternity home. 

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The Development Track - for Fundraisers

I am new to this field and have come away feeling equipped to make suggestions and push back on old systems and events that are less effective. I am excited to foster relationships with our supporters and to see where these relationships take us.

Advancing development through a more robust understanding of the nature and ministry of development is at the heart of this track. Anyone with responsibility for donor development and fundraising will benefit from this advanced training. Seasoned pregnancy help leaders will join Kirk Walden to provide a foundation and training that goes beyond elementary event planning.

Designed for those whose role includes donor development within a pregnancy help organization.

This includes:

• Donor dynamics
• Giving strategies
• Revenue evaluation
• Relationship building with prospective funders

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The Leadership Track - for Seasoned Leaders

The leadership track went beyond expectations. For the first time in a long time, I was challenged in the area of strategic thinking, and I learned a lot that I will carry with me through life as a ministry leader, mother, and wife. 

Created for seasoned leaders, the Leadership track contains concepts developed by Built to Lead, an executive coaching program that has trained CEO’s, presidents, and ministry leaders nationwide. Here, you will learn proven techniques on how to lead effectively both at work and in your personal life and practice those methods throughout the week. Alumni are welcome to return for this track at any point for more training and refreshment!

Designed for seasoned leaders who want to invest in their ministry through leadership development.

This includes:

• Personal Leadership Development
• Goal Setting
• Team Building
• Leadership Growth (Leading Leaders)

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All Training Tracks will have prerequisite work that must be completed prior to attending the Pregnancy Help Institute. The list of prerequisites will be included in your registration confirmation

5 reasons you need to come to Pregnancy Help Institute

1. It’s corporate training at non-profit cost.
   Businesses nationwide use Built to Lead to train CEOs, Presidents, and Boards in Leadership Training. We have partnered with these executive coaches to bring you business training at a price you can afford.
2. It’s far more dynamic and personal than a conference.
   Conferences, specifically the big annual ones, are incredible. There are so many people to meet and so much to learn, but sometimes you need more personalized in-depth training. Pregnancy Help Institute is intentionally sized for an intimate learning environment. Pregnancy Help Institute provides individual interaction and personal feedback to help you grow in your role and increase your effectiveness.
3. It’s vital to invest in yourself.
   "We must all learn to lead ourselves with excellence before we can lead a team towards excellence. In other words, we believe that excellence achieved individually will spread organizationally." - Built to Lead’s Belief
4. A burst of training can take you a long way. 
   One week can literally revolutionize your personal leadership as well as grow your knowledge and understanding. Working with trainers and fellow participants over the extended time yields an exponential return on your investment of time.
5. The relationships you build will be powerful.
   There's nothing more powerful than realizing you're not alone, and at Pregnancy Help Institute, you are surrounded by people not only who share your values, but who are close to you on the same journey.

Pregnancy Help Institute training qualifies for the Life Affirming Specialist (LAS) designation.

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