People often ask me, "What are some real and practical ways I can help women facing unplanned pregnancies?" Fortunately, there are a lot of possibilities and many of them are really simple and easy to do.
Here's a list of ideas to consider if you'd like to help women facing unplanned pregnancy:
Know about the help available. And share it.
There are many wonderful resources nationally and in your local community that offer services for women and mothers. Learn who they are and what they do. Keep contact info on you and share with others who are seeking support. To find out what organizations are already doing this work near you, visit helpinyourarea.com, a directory of pregnancy resource centers.
It takes a village to support each other, and you are a member of that village. Engage in the lives of the people around you, your family, friends, co-workers, church members, etc. Imagine if everyone truly engaged and helped in the messiness of just one person; everyone would be supported (including you!). So, sacrifice some TV and FB scrolling time and offer it to the women in your life. Here are some suggestions on how to offer your time and support:
- Babysit free of charge for a single mom
- Make a meal for a new mom or take a mom and her family out to dinner
- Volunteer at a local pro-life pregnancy resource center
- Consider adoption
- Become a respite care home for foster parents
- Help/encourage a parent struggling with a kid at the store, restaurant, in church, etc.
- Incorporate giving into your routine—when you shop for the family, pick up 1 extra item and donate to a single parent, local food pantry or pregnancy resource center
- Be a safe place; be someone people can come to in crisis
- Donate money or items to a local pro-life pregnancy resource center
- Initiate a fundraiser at your school or church for a pro-life nonprofit
Advocate politically.
There are still many social justice issues to be aware of. Educate yourself on these issues, research candidates’ positions and vote for politicians that will support and uphold the dignity of life for children, women and families. Here are some issues to consider learning more about:
- Child support protections
- Protections at work for pregnant women and mothers
- Increased penalties for domestic violence
- Increased funding for the foster system
- Reform of the adoption industry
- Making childcare more accessible
Are you a business owner or manager? You have the power and responsibility to foster a pro-life work environment and support mothers.
- Pay a living wage
- Offer paid paternity leave
- Provide rooms for moms who are breastfeeding to pump in private and comfort
- Be flexible with parents that need to stay home with a sick child or a mom with morning sickness
- Offer time off for domestic violence victims
