Hosted by Thrive Southwest Florida

Join us for our second regional event for maternity housing organizations!

WHERE

Thrive Southwest Florida
907 SE 5th Ave, Cape Coral, FL 33990

WHEN

June 10, 2025
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Come at 9 a.m. for coffee and networking

Lunch provided.

by Valerie Harkins, Executive Director of the Maternity Housing Coalition

I’ve noticed a subtle but powerful pattern after years of walking alongside maternity homes across the country: the organizations that tend to thrive—not just survive—are deeply connected to others who do the same kind of work.

In fact, the difference is striking. Homes that weather economic instability, staff transitions, and shifting cultural tides often have something in common: consistent, intentional relationships with other maternity homes. They are not isolated. They are known.

This may sound like a soft metric—connection, relationship, community—but in this work, it’s essential. Maternity housing is uniquely complex and deeply spiritual. It requires strength and tenderness, policies and prayer, grit and grace. Not every leader understands that tension, but another maternity home does.

When homes connect with one another, something shifts. A director no longer feels like she’s holding the whole world together on her own. A new staff member finds wisdom in someone else’s hard-won experience. A program director rethinks burnout because she saw someone else model the Sabbath well. These relationships aren’t just emotionally beneficial—they’re structurally stabilizing.

In short, being known by others in this work makes your home stronger.

The body of Christ is not meant to function in silos, and neither is our movement. God has designed us for interdependence—not only within our own teams, but across the entire network of homes and ministries around the world.

I truly believe the next chapter of strength for maternity housing will not come from any single home’s innovation, but from the shared wisdom of many homes, leaning in together. This is not a sentimental idea—it’s a strategy for survival, and more importantly, for flourishing.

If you’re looking for a place to start, I invite you to join our Affiliates-Only Facebook Group, where we foster authentic connection among homes like yours. It’s also where we share invites to our networking meetings throughout the year, which are gatherings that remind us we’re not alone, but understood, and part of something far greater than we could build by ourselves.

Let’s build that strength together.

by Dr. Laura Lewis, Executive Director of Pregnancy Care Canada

We are in a Daniel time, not an Esther moment, and there are many lessons we can learn from Daniel's story. 

When King Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, besieged Jerusalem, Daniel and other young men were captured and thrown into the culture of Babylon, a culture that opposed their faith. Yet, God elevated Daniel to influence four different government administrations over nearly 70 years. He went from being a prisoner of war to an influential leader. 

Daniel gained favor and influence even while living as a stranger in a hostile land, not only because of his gifts but also because of his character and integrity. His life serves as a powerful example for us as we strive to engage with integrity and compassion to influence our communities and nation, allowing us to lead a broken culture rather than be led by it. 

Daniel’s heart remained devoted to God, even under pressure. His highest priority was not to gain influence with people, but to stay faithful to God, seeking the Lord before he spoke and exalting and glorifying Him. His example teaches us that when we do what is right, we can trust God to handle the outcome.

Daniel served with integrity. He was not for sale.

We may be tempted to waver for cultural acceptance or financial gain. However, there is a major difference between wisely discerning how to engage with a broken and unbelieving community and compromising for the applause or finances of man. Before doing anything, let us respond as Daniel did—in prayer.

We are to lead culture, not be led by it. To influence, not conform. 

Daniel understood how to build bridges. He led with wisdom and humility, which resulted in people trusting him. When people trust you, your influence grows—even in a corrupt and broken society. 

At Pregnancy Care Canada, we also aim to be bridge builders by:

• Bridging the digital reach through social media: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok. We want to meet this generation where they hang out and provide trustworthy information and help.
• Bridging the gaps geographically with understanding by equipping churches and strengthening connections with local centers.
• Bridging services. We appreciate the expertise of many others working in the pregnancy help space and are thankful to collaborate with them.

Our actions don’t need to be grand or heroic, but they must be grounded in love. If we fail to understand love, nothing else truly matters. Our culture, our Babylon, is desperate for a manifestation of God's goodness.

One woman recently told me that the work done each day in local pregnancy care centers is one of the purest expressions of the gospel she has seen. Let us protect this space.

If we are willing to turn away from compromise, serve with integrity, build bridges, and choose to love as Jesus did, we will position ourselves for the long arc of influence and favour that will impact a broken world.

by Andrea Trudden, Vice President of Communications and Marketing

Some days, the heaviness of this work can feel overwhelming. When you’re standing in the gap for women facing unexpected pregnancies or housing young mothers searching for stability, it can seem like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. You may wonder if the little victories you witness day to day really matter in the face of the growing abortion industry and the spread of the abortion pill.

Take heart. You are not alone in this work.

At our conference just last week, we were powerfully reminded of this truth. We heard from Herbie Newell, bringing perspective from the adoption side of the movement. Dr. Ryan T. Anderson from the Ethics and Public Policy Center helped us understand the cultural and legal battle surrounding the abortion pill, while our international friends from Cameroon and India reminded us what it means to stand for life even when they feel like they’re fighting alone in their countries.

Each one spoke with conviction about unity—how critical it is that we work together as one body to battle effectively in this mighty fight for life.

While you are serving on the frontlines—meeting immediate needs and walking with women toward long-term hope—there are others in the body of Christ laboring alongside you, even if you don’t see them.

A recent report by the Ethics and Public Policy Center sheds light on the proven dangers of the abortion pill. This thoughtful analysis exposes the harm that comes to women through this dangerous drug and calls on the FDA to review it. What’s more encouraging, however, is the reminder that faithful men and women are actively pushing back. Organizations like EPPC, along with many others, are doing the hard work of policy, research, and advocacy—defending truth and protecting life behind the scenes.

You are part of something so much bigger.

Just as you serve with compassion and courage in your center, others are using their gifts to fight this battle in the courtroom, the legislature, and the public square. We are not each called to every part of the work, but together, we are building a culture of life.

As Scripture reminds us, “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:12). Your role is essential. So is theirs. And together, God is using us all.

So today, if you’re feeling weary or unseen, know this: your work matters, and you’re not doing it alone. God’s people are rising up in every corner of this movement. He is not done. He is weaving all of our efforts together for His glory and the good of generations to come.

by Andrea Trudden, Vice President of Communications and Marketing

In the heart of every pregnancy help organization lies a deep belief: She can.

She can be a good mom.
She can finish her education.
She can raise her child and still pursue her goals.
She can overcome the voices that tell her otherwise.

Across the world, pregnancy centers and maternity homes are stepping into the silence left by fear and negativity, replacing it with truth, love, and unwavering support. When others tell a woman she has to choose between her future and her child, you—our friends in pregnancy help—step in to tell her she can choose both.

You don’t just offer words of encouragement—you equip her. Life skills. Parenting classes. Community. Diapers. Housing. Friendship. Hope.

One powerful example of this support is the Unplanned Movie Scholarship. Since 2020, actress Ashley Bratcher, known for her role in Unplanned, has partnered with Heartbeat International to bless women choosing life with the opportunity to continue their education.

Through this scholarship, a young mom can receive up to $20,000 over four years toward her education or education-related costs—whether that’s tuition, books, childcare, or even transportation. From GED tutoring to community college, trade school, cosmetology school, or a 4-year degree, the scholarship is designed to meet her where she is and help her take the next step forward.

Why? Because when a woman chooses life, she’s not just choosing for her child—she’s stepping into her own strength.

And she doesn’t do it alone.

She does it with the steady encouragement of someone like you—someone who stays by her side when the world walks away.

As Scripture reminds us:

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” – Acts 20:35

Every training class that helps her with her future. Every resume workshop or GED workbook. Every childcare solution. Every application for a scholarship like this—it’s all part of your gift to her.

So take heart. The work you’re doing matters deeply. You are helping her dream again—helping her believe in herself as a mother, a student, a provider, and a woman made for more.

Your faithfulness is shaping not only her future, but her child’s—and generations to come.

Let’s keep giving. Keep equipping. Keep believing.

Because she can. And with your help, she will.

by Andrea Trudden, Vice President of Communications and Marketing

Each year, National Nurses Week shines a light on the essential work of nurses across the country, and in 2025, the American Nurses Association is calling us to reflect on “The Power of Nurses to Transform Health.” It’s a fitting theme—not only for the hospital floors and clinics—but especially for the life-saving, heart-healing work done each day by nurses in pregnancy help organizations.

That theme is beautifully echoed by the American Organization of Nursing Leadership's message: “Care, Lead, Inspire — Repeat.” In pregnancy help, these words come to life in a powerful, personal way.

Pregnancy help nurses stand at the intersection of hope and despair, often as the only person who will ever see that baby alive, the only voice speaking truth and encouragement into a young woman’s heart, and sometimes the only Christian presence in her world. These nurses are healthcare professionals, yes—but they are also counselors, teachers, advocates, and intercessors.

They care—deeply and compassionately. They lead—with grace and conviction. They inspire—with truth, love, and unshakable faith. And they repeat—day after day, client after client, heart after heart.

The impact of pregnancy help nurses can’t be overstated. Their medical skill brings clarity. Their presence offers comfort. Their faith brings light into the darkness. They help women see not just what’s happening to them—but what’s possible for them and their babies.

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you.
Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that
your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” —1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)

To every nurse serving in pregnancy help: your work is mighty, your heart is noticed, and your faith is not in vain. You are changing lives and generations, one act of love at a time.

Thank you for all you do to care, lead, and inspire—again and again. We see you. We honor you. And we thank God for you.

by Brooke Myrick BSN, RN

The theme for the 2025 National Nurses Week is Care, Lead, Inspire-Repeat. “Nurses lead with integrity and vision, often in the most complex and challenging environments. They inspire others through unwavering dedication,” shares the American Organization for Nursing Leadership.

Pregnancy help nurses are trusted by their communities for guidance, hope, and help with the medical services they offer.

Why do communities continue to find immense value and even preference for the medical services provided by nurses in pregnancy help medical clinics?

"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
- John 13:35

Pregnancy help nurses are followers of the way, the truth, and the life. Communities have an appreciation, desire, and preference for the non-judgmental, trustworthy, love-filled, and confidential care that transcends their expectations.

While opposition to the services provided by pregnancy help nurses will arise at times, it is imperative to remember that being a follower of Jesus and a nurse within pregnancy help demands devotion and an unwavering commitment to the good work of reaching and rescuing lives for today and eternity.

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him."
- James 1:12

What provides pregnancy help nurses with the motivation to continue their service, leadership, and inspiring care through every trial and difficult circumstance?

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
- Ephesians 2:10

The work of pregnancy help is work created by God and for God. It is His mission that we have the privilege of participating in. The victories and the losses are all for Him and through Him. Pregnancy help nurses can press on in their service with a peace that surpasses all understanding as you realize God is asking you for obedience to His truth, while trusting Him with outcomes and protection of the mission.

"For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen."
- Romans 11:36

This National Nurses Week, may you, a pregnancy help nurse, remain strong and steadfast while being filled with encouragement and joy to embrace the life-affirming good works prepared in advance for you to do. May you remember that He has invited you to join Him on this mission. All of the victories, and even the trials, are from Him, to Him, and for His glory.

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
- Ephesians 3:20-21

by Valerie Harkins, Executive Director of the Maternity Housing Coalition

As leaders and advocates in the maternity housing space, understanding the generational differences between Millennial, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha women is essential to providing responsive, compassionate, and effective care. Each generation has been shaped by unique societal forces, technology, and cultural movements. These factors influence how they view the world, identify themselves, engage with spirituality, and interact with support systems.

This article explores the defining traits of Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha, with a particular focus on how their differences impact the design and delivery of maternity housing programs. Most importantly, it offers research-backed strategies for adapting our programs to meet the needs of Gen Z women and mothers, who now make up the majority of women entering our homes.

Generational Snapshots: Who Are They?

Millennials (born approx. 1981–1996)

• Worldview: Shaped by 9/11, the 2008 recession, and the rise of the internet.
  
  
• Religion: Many Millennials identify as “spiritual but not religious.” Pew Research finds that 29% identify as religiously unaffiliated.
  
  
• Identity: Value authenticity, self-expression, and purpose-driven work.
  
  
• Experiences: Came of age with dial-up internet but adapted quickly to tech advancements.
  
  
• Behavior & Trends: Highly educated, skeptical of institutions, more likely to delay marriage and childbirth, and value social justice.
  
  

Gen Z (born approx. 1997–2012)

• Worldview: Defined by the internet age, social media, school shootings, climate anxiety, and COVID-19.
  
  
• Religion: The least religious generation to date; more likely to identify as agnostic, atheist, or spiritual-but-not-religious. Barna research shows that only 4% of Gen Z holds a biblical worldview.
  
  
• Identity: Embraces fluidity in identity—including gender and sexuality. Mental health, diversity, and inclusion are top priorities.
  
  
• Experiences: Digital natives. Socialized online. Often experienced isolation, especially during critical developmental years due to the pandemic.
  
  
• Behavior & Trends: Experience high levels of anxiety and depression; value transparency, inclusivity, and social activism. Less trusting of authority but very peer-influenced.
  
  

Gen Alpha (born approx. 2013–2025)

• Worldview: Still forming, but early data shows they will be the most technologically immersed generation. AI, climate change, and post-pandemic realities are shaping their upbringing.
  
  
• Religion/Identity: Still largely dependent on parental influence but projected to be even more secular and globally aware.
  
  
• Trends: Education and media are highly personalized. Influenced by short-form content (TikTok, YouTube Shorts), interactive tech, and values-based branding.
  
  

Implications for Maternity Housing: Gen Z vs. Millennials

While Millennials may still be present in our homes, Gen Z now makes up the majority of women entering maternity housing programs. This shift requires us to re-evaluate our approaches—from program structure to communication styles.

Key Differences That Affect Care

Suggestions for Effective Programming for Gen Z Moms

1. Prioritize Mental Health & Trauma-Informed Care

Gen Z has been dubbed the “anxious generation.” According to the American Psychological Association, Gen Z is twice as likely as Millennials to report poor mental health.

What Works:

• Trauma-informed staff training
  
  
• On-site counseling and teletherapy options
  
  
• Wellness routines (journaling, mindfulness, peer support groups)
  
  
• Peer-led mental health education workshops
  
  

2. Revamp Spiritual Formation Models

Traditional Bible studies may not resonate. Gen Z is curious but deeply skeptical of religious institutions.

What Works:

• Story-based teaching rooted in personal experience
  
  
• Focus on spiritual conversations over religious instruction
  
  
• Emphasize identity, belonging, and purpose through a biblical lens
  
  
• Use visual storytelling, music, and creative expression
  
  

3. Design for Digital Natives

Gen Z learns and connects through screens. Programs must accommodate short attention spans and tech fluency.

What Works:

• Short, video-based lessons (think: 5–10 minute devotionals or parenting tips)
  
  
• QR codes linked to resources or testimonies
  
  
• Digital journaling or app-based self-reflection
  
  
• Instagram-style boards for visioning or goal-setting
  
  

4. Normalize Identity Conversations

Gen Z is navigating fluidity in gender, sexuality, and identity. While maternity housing may not affirm all ideologies, it must engage these women with grace and empathy.

What Works:

• Non-judgmental language in intake and interactions
  
  
• Emphasize God-given identity, value, and dignity
  
  
• Use peer mentors who model integrity and compassion
  
  
• Create space for questions and honest conversations
  
  

5. Offer Customizable Life Skills Tracks

Gen Z expects personalization. One-size-fits-all programming often leads to disengagement.

What Works:

• Modular curriculum based on goals (e.g., employment, education, parenting)
  
  
• Self-paced learning options
  
  
• Incentive-based engagement (e.g., digital badges, milestone rewards)
  
  

6. Center Peer Influence and Mentorship

Gen Z relies heavily on peer feedback and social proof. Programs should foster authentic community and peer leadership.

What Works:

• Peer-led support groups or house meetings
  
  
• Older Gen Z or Millennial alumni mentors
  
  
• Testimony-sharing and story circles
  
  
• Collaborative goal-setting and accountability partners
  
  

Looking Ahead: Preparing for Gen Alpha

While Gen Alpha moms are not in our homes yet, their formative years are underway. They will expect hyper-personalized, on-demand, emotionally intelligent environments. Programs that begin adapting today—leaning into tech, emotional literacy, and spiritual resilience—will be best positioned to serve tomorrow’s mothers.

Gen Z mothers bring unique challenges and profound opportunities. They are bold, curious, digitally native, and fiercely values-driven. To serve them well, maternity housing leaders must reimagine programming that is trauma-informed, spiritually engaging, tech-forward, and relationally rich. By doing so, we not only meet their immediate needs—we shape a generation of resilient, faith-rooted, and empowered mothers.

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Sources

1. Pew Research Center (2019). Defining generations: Where Millennials end and Gen Z begins.
   https://www.pewresearch.org
   
2. McCrindle Research (2020). Generation Alpha Report.
   https://mccrindle.com.au
3. Barna Group (2021). The Open Generation: How Teens Around the World View God, Scripture, and the Church.
   https://www.barna.com
   
4. Pew Research Center (2021). About three-in-ten U.S. adults are now religiously unaffiliated.
   https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/12/14/about-three-in-ten-u-s-adults-are-now-religiously-unaffiliated/
   
5. American Worldview Inventory (2023). Only 4% of Gen Z Hold a Biblical Worldview. Cultural Research Center, Arizona Christian University.
   https://www.arizonachristian.edu
6. American Psychological Association (2018–2023). Stress in America Survey.
   https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress
   
7. McKinsey & Company (2021). True Gen: Generation Z and its implications for companies.
   https://www.mckinsey.com
8. Deloitte (2023). Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey.
   https://www2.deloitte.com
   
9. Pew Research Center (2022). Teens, Social Media and Technology 2022.
   https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2022/08/10/teens-social-media-and-technology-2022/
   
10. Common Sense Media (2023). The State of Mental Health in U.S. Teens.
    https://www.commonsensemedia.org
11. Barna Group (2022). How the Next Generation Engages with Faith. 
    https://www.barna.com/research/gen-z-engagement/
    
12. Education Week (2021). Teaching Gen Z: What Educators Need to Know About Today’s Students.
    https://www.edweek.org

by Jor-El Godsey, President of Heatbeat International

Easter is a season of hope, renewal, and victory over darkness. As you serve in the pregnancy help movement—whether in a pregnancy center, maternity home, or adoption agency—you are part of a mission that echoes the very heart of the Gospel: bringing life where the world sees only despair. Jesus’s resurrection offers powerful lessons that should inspire you in your daily work.

The hours between Christ’s crucifixion and His resurrection must have felt unbearable for His followers. They had witnessed what seemed to be the end, yet it was only the beginning. In your work, you may see moments that feel hopeless—a woman overwhelmed by fear, a situation that seems impossible, a culture that dismisses life. But just as God was at work in the silence of the tomb, He is working in the waiting today. What seems like an ending is often the prelude to new life.

"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" 
- Psalm 27:14

Early that Sunday morning, the women at the tomb found that the stone had been rolled away. The grave could not hold Jesus, and death could not defeat Him. You are on the front lines of a battle where darkness tries to deceive women into believing abortion is their only way forward. But take heart—truth and life prevail. Every time you offer a listening ear, a word of hope, or a way forward, you reflect the victory of Christ over death. Darkness must give way to light.

The disciples’ sorrow turned into joy when they saw the risen Lord. Their faith was renewed, their purpose reignited, and their calling confirmed. The work you do may feel exhausting at times, and you may wonder if your efforts make a difference. The Resurrection reminds us that nothing done for the cause of life is wasted. Each conversation, each prayer, each moment of compassion plants seeds that God can grow in His perfect time.

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." 
- 1 Corinthians 15:58

Take heart! Easter proves that life has the final word. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in the lives of the women you serve and in your own heart. You are not alone in this mission—Christ goes before you, walks beside you, and strengthens you for the road ahead.

This Easter, be reminded that because He lives, there is always hope. Because He rose, the work you do is not in vain. And because the tomb is empty, the victory is already won.

by Ellen Foell, International Program Specialist

We all know that the demographic of childbearing-aged women are on their smartphones. In America, 90% of women own smartphones. In India, the number of women owning smartphones is lower than in the USA, at 64%. But even 64% is high. "Mobile technology in the form of the smartphone is widely used, particularly in pregnancy and they are an increasing and influential source of information."¹  That means we can reach these women and they can find us, find you and your hotline. Help, and a possible rescue from abortion, can reach a woman in the time it takes to find and dial a phone number. It takes less than a second, compared to typing in a search engine and reviewing results. That is the power of technology. That is the potential power of a helpline.

We are focusing this issue of Heartbeat Around the World on helplines, hotlines, and crisis lines around the world.

A hotline is usually a toll-free telephone service available to the public or to a group of people for some specific purpose. For us who serve in the pregnancy help movement, our "group of people" are moms in unplanned pregnancies and those who love them and our specific purpose is to reach them in their hour of crisis to connect them to people close by who can compassionately provide alternatives to abortion. Such a hotline was a "someday dream" for the founders of Heartbeat International. Today, you can read the story of how Option Line (powered by Heartbeat) connects with hundreds of thousands of women in crisis every year. Or, enjoy the photo and video of an Indian woman who reached out to Option Line and was connected back to the helpline in India. There is such power in connectivity. 

Around the world, there are hotlines in places as far apart as Romania, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, India, Canada, and countless other countries. Does your country have one? If so, we would love to know the number so we can add it to our Worldwide Directory. We want women to find you, reach you, and connect with help...faster than it takes to search and review results. 

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Source Cited

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S187151921300423X (accessed 3/12/25)