Winter 2015 - Assist Pregnancy Center

WINTER 2015
New Beginnings Through Crisis
With family members in tow, she came to the Center. Despite
knowing about the pregnancy for a while, Rachelle indicated
she had wavered back and forth, seeing abortion as a solution
to overwhelming work hours and no money. Had it not been
for that lack of finances, she indicated she would have
aborted much earlier. She had just discovered financial aid to
cover the procedure at her late stage in pregnancy.
(Abortions are available in neighboring D.C. and Maryland
past viability, through the third trimester. Several national pro
-abortion organizations provide financial aid to women who
cannot afford the cost of an abortion).
Her professed Christianity seemed to have no bearing on her
abortion decision. And, the vivid display of her wiggling,
kicking baby on the ultrasound screen appeared to have no
impact on the hard faces of the client or her partner. As she
and her partner left planning to abort, we prayed for open
eyes and clear thinking about both the life within her and her
need to know her Savior.
F
or many clients who walk through our doors, the crisis in
an unplanned pregnancy is not the pregnancy itself.
Pregnancy merely makes the upheaval of derailed
educational plans, a threatening boyfriend, multiple jobs,
no family support, and constant financial burdens painfully
acute. Abortion in this context is not perceived as a “choice”
by many women, but as a necessity for self-preservation.
Unfortunately, even following an abortion, the crisis of failed
relationships and cycles of abuse may remain.
What does it look like then to value the life of an unborn baby
while also offering hope to a woman seeing in abortion a
quick escape from harsh circumstances?
For one such woman, the beginnings of seeing beyond an
unwanted pregnancy to an underlying need for help started in
the counseling room. Rachelle* called initially seeking to
schedule an abortion for what she believed to be a second
trimester pregnancy. After being told that the Center neither
provided nor referred for abortions but could offer an
ultrasound to confirm gestational age as well as counseling
about her options, Rachelle asked to visit.
Abortion in this context is not perceived as a
“choice” by many women, but as a necessity for
self-preservation.
Some weeks later, we received a call for help. Abandoned by
her partner, Rachelle’s life had collapsed even further.
Miraculously, in the midst of overwhelming crisis, Rachelle
had not obtained an abortion. In an answer to prayer, now
she indicated she wanted to place her baby for adoption.
With referrals and follow-up calls, Rachelle was connected to
an adoption agency, support for health care, and housing.
Choosing adoption has preserved the life of Rachelle’s baby,
but it’s also allowed for new beginnings in Rachelle’s life, too.
We give thanks for your persistent prayers for lives to be
saved in 2015 and for your partnership which has allowed us
to walk alongside Rachelle and women like her this year!
*Name changed. Our client services are provided under the name
Metro Women’s Care.
NOTE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Your support makes possible the provision of practical help
for clients (pregnancy tests, ultrasound confirmation of
pregnancy, education about abortion risks and procedures,
parenting and adoption options counseling, discipleship,
pregnancy education, parenting classes, and material
resources). Yet, your support also allows for one-on-one time
with compassionate mentors who offer the love of Jesus and
the good news of His reconciling work on the cross (2
Corinthians 5:18-20).
We’ve seen an exciting jump in our client numbers since
adding medical services two years ago, with nearly 300 clients
served thus far in 2015. Yet, we know that an estimated 6,000
women in our vicinity are still likely to choose abortion next
year.
New polling research from a public policy group further
confirms the need for ministries like Assist Pregnancy Center
to grow in reach and visibility. In analyzing public awareness
of local pregnancy centers, respondents had overwhelmingly
favorable opinions about pregnancy centers. Yet, only 46% of
women and 31% of men surveyed nationwide knew if a
pregnancy center was located in their own community
(Source: “Turning Hearts Toward Life II,” published Fall 2015
by the Charlotte Lozier Institute).
We want to be known and visible so we can serve more
women, men, and families. Your support and time invested
here will make it possible for our footprint for life to be larger
in 2016.
Would you prayerfully consider committing a few hours each
month as a volunteer at the Center? We have an urgent need
for more volunteer male and female client mentors with
daytime availability to partner with us in serving our Northern
Virginia neighbors. Come join
us in saving lives now and for
eternity!
Gratefully,
Leanna Baumer
Executive Director
[email protected]
Courtesy of Karen Saunders Photography
A
s a ministry, we are about much more than simply
providing medical services or a quick pregnancy
diagnosis. We’re about walking alongside women during
pregnancy, encouraging men to lean into their responsibilities
as dads, and helping post-abortive individuals heal from past
abortions. We recognize that people have more than physical
needs in the midst of a pregnancy decision—they need care
for their hearts and soul.
GIFTS FOR LIFE
Did you know that you can donate a percentage of your Amazon order to
Assist, at absolutely no extra cost to you? It is as simple as selecting Assist as
your Amazon Smile charity of choice, and shopping as normal.
Learn more here: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/54-1540093
MEMORIALS and CELEBRATIONS
In Honor of the birthdays of Jonathan, Rachel, and Esther
Ingram, and In Celebration of the birth of their baby
brother, Matthew.
Code 98301
Campaign Code 8190
Donated by Sharon Beattie
Federal workers can donate pre-tax dollars to Assist
during the Combined Federal Campaign this fall.
Designate your gift to Assist using code 98301. If your
corporate workplace coordinates a giving campaign,
you can also support Assist through United Way by
using code 8910.
In Memory of Carter Barbera
Donated by William Carlson and Lonni Briggs
facebook.com\assistPC
703-354-7291 | assistpartners.org | www.facebook.com\assistPC
25th ANNIVERSARY BANQUET
T
wenty-five years of God working to save
lives and restore lives through the ministry
of Assist Pregnancy Center—that’s cause
for celebration! Over 500 people gathered on
September 29th to mark God’s faithfulness and
commit anew to reaching more abortionvulnerable women and men in Northern Virginia.
Keynote speaker Cal Thomas reminded guests
that each of the 1,005 (known) babies born
because of Assist represent branches in a family
tree—branches that would not be there without
your consistent partnership and prayers. Thank
you for your generous support!
See our 25th Anniversary Ministry Video at:
http://bit.ly/25thanniversaryvideo
Visit our Facebook page to see more
event photos!
Mission: Assist exists to promote life through Christ to
those vulnerable to abortion.
Photos courtesy
of Wingfield
Photography.
Staff Members
Leanna Baumer, Executive Director
Kathy Weeks, Center Director
Rachel Eiker, Office Assistant
Jennifer Johnson, Director of Outreach
Yvonne Lee, Financial Manager
Tsan-Hua Liu, R.N., Asst. Dir. of Medical Services
Julie Lovejoy, Programs Coordinator
Karina Madraso, R.N., Assistant Nurse Manager
Sheila Zeda, Asst. Dir. of Non-Medical Services
Joanna Zumhagen, Communications Manager
Beth Azer, M.D., Medical Director
Board Members
Barry Oxford, Chairman
Michael Icardi, Treasurer
Chris Reyna, Secretary
Penny Elgas, Board Member
Ralph Weitz, Board Member
facebook.com\assistPC
703-354-7291 | assistpartners.org | www.facebook.com\assistPC
5101-D Backlick Road
Annandale, VA 22003
Non-profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Annandale, VA
Permit No. 6020
Address Service Requested
Campaign Code 8190
Code 98301
Make plans now for
your church to join us
in January in
celebrating God’s
beautiful gift of life.
Contact Assist for
bulletin inserts,
speakers, information
table resources, and
tools to host a Baby
Bottle Boomerang
fundraising drive at
your church!
Email Jennifer at
[email protected]
or call 703-354-7291 for
more information.
facebook.com\assistPC
703-354-7291 | assistpartners.org | www.facebook.com\assistPC