Each October, Catholics across the nation observe Respect Life Month, a time to recognize the God-given dignity and value of every human life.
This year alone, our teams at Pregnancy Decision Health Centers (PDHC) have responded to more than 48,600 calls, texts and chats from people seeking help and guidance. More than 1,800 individuals have been served through multiple visits to our pregnancy centers, and hundreds of women facing difficult pregnancy decisions chose life after receiving compassionate care and seeing their baby’s heartbeat through ultrasound services.
This year, PDHC embraced the theme, “Every Life Tells a Story,” inspired by Psalm 139:16: “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Long before a mother sees her baby’s face, before she hears that first cry, before a name is chosen, or a future imagined, God already knows that child and has written every chapter of his or her story.
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Every life has a story. Every chapter has a purpose. Every person is known and loved by God.
Every day at PDHC, we have the privilege of standing at the beginning of those stories. We meet women facing unexpected or challenging pregnancies, fathers searching for direction, families looking for support, and individuals carrying the pain of past abortion experiences. Many arrive feeling overwhelmed by circumstances, uncertain about their future or believing they have nowhere to turn.
At PDHC, our mission is about much more than providing free services. It is about building relationships and coming alongside each new mom, dad or family with compassion, hope and practical support.
Through pregnancy testing, life-revealing ultrasounds, Abortion Pill Reversal (APR) services, parenting education, fatherhood mentoring, material assistance, abortion recovery programs and the hope of the Gospel, we help families discover that their stories are not defined by fear or circumstances but by God’s love and purpose for their lives.
Pregnancy centers like PDHC are where the gift of life meets the gift of compassion. We want every woman facing an unexpected pregnancy to know that she has support, resources, compassionate care and people willing to walk alongside her.
We want every father to know his role matters. We want every family to know they are not alone.
“I am a mom of four and found out I was pregnant again. I had lots of mixed emotions and also wanted to terminate my pregnancy. PDHC helped me make a decision that would work for me. I now have a beautiful little girl that I am beyond grateful for,” said mom Kyerra.
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PDHC is also piloting our new Dads Empowerment Network program. The program is designed to empower men to step into fatherhood with confidence, purpose and support.
The father of the baby has the biggest voice in the woman’s decision regarding her pregnancy. We want to make sure he has the opportunity to meet with a male advocate in a space specifically designed for him, to receive counseling, coaching and mentorship, fatherhood classes, and if needed, abortion recovery healing groups.
The child whose heartbeat is heard for the first time has a story. The mother who discovers she is stronger than she thought has a story. The father who steps forward to support his family has a story. The individual who finds healing and restoration after an abortion experience has a story.
Respect Life Month also reminds us that the pro-life movement is about more than what we oppose. It is about what we build. We build communities that welcome life, churches that support families, ministries that serve women and relationships that offer hope, healing and practical help.
PDHC’s mission and vision drive the next chapter of our story. At our recent Celebration for Life Galas, we announced plans to open our fifth pregnancy resource center in Columbus. This new location will expand access to life-affirming services and allow us to serve even more women, fathers, babies and families throughout Central Ohio.
As we celebrate Respect Life Month, we are reminded that every life changed is the result of countless acts of faithfulness. Every prayer, volunteer hour, church partnership and financial gift becomes part of a larger story that God is writing through this ministry – because life is a gift and every life is worthy of our protection, our compassion and our love.
If you missed our galas and would like to listen to our speakers for the events, visit www.SupportLifePDHC.org/gala.
Kathy Scanlon serves as president at Pregnancy Decision Health Centers.