Pro-Life Ministries

This week's editorial looks at the March for Life and other ways in which Christians can express their support for the pro-life cause. A few commenters have already pointed to some worthwhile pro-life ministries, and we hope you'll add some other names to the list. There are many excellent avenues for prolife ministry, and we list a few noteworthy organizations below. The job of bringing about a culture of life remains unfinished, however, and the purpose of the editorial is to take a broader view at the prolife cause and look at some ministries that may not be sufficiently emphasized—for example, outreach to families with disabled children. (Given the tragically high number of abortions of children with genetic abnormalities, there is clearly more to be done on this front.) The commenters thus far raise some other interesting questions. Should men be a target of antiabortion efforts? Is the church too focused on abortion to the neglect of other prolife ministries? There are few easy answers to these questions, but we hope the editorial is an opportunity to discuss this thorny topic in a productive and charitable way.

Thanks to our friend, Mary Ellen O'Driscoll, for referring us to these excellent organizations: 

In greater NYC area, Pregnancy Care in New Rochelle has a maternity home in addition to outreach to college students who are facing unplanned pregnancies.  

In Jersey City, York Street Project provides housing, education and job training services for women and their children. 

Seton Home provides residential services to pregnant, parenting and homeless teen girls in the San Antonio area. 

Shepherd's House in Orlando provides transitional housing for single mom's and their children.  It's a subsidiary of Catholic Charities & has integrated offerings of services for the residents.

Healthy Mom's and Babes is an outreach ministry focused on increased infant survival as well as the health of women, children and families in the Cincinnati area.  

In the Springfield area of central Illinois, the Elizabeth Ann Seton Program assists pregnant and parenting women with mentoring, education, employment readiness, and other practical assistance.

In the greater DC area, the Gabriel Network partners with churches and other groups to provide support to pregnant women (housing, transportation, mentoring, health training, education and job training). 

On the international scene, Michael House in Guelph, Ontario, provides a loving home environment for pregnant and parenting teens and young women along with ongoing support and care once they transition to independent living. 

UPDATE: To hear from a "seamless garment" prolife advocate, listen to our podcast with Mary Meehan. Or check out this week's archive feature, also from Mary Meehan: ten reasons to oppose the death penalty.

Tim Reidy