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Dear Friends,
Recently, we held our annual meeting with the PDHC staff and Board members. It is the Board’s favorite meeting of the year as they enjoy listening to members of the team share the stories of impact from the individuals served at PDHC. This particular story was shared by Rachel, PDHC’s Connections Manager: In January of this year, the Crisis Hotline staff received an online appointment request from Sarah* seeking "Pregnancy Options and Abortion Information". Sarah stated that she would like a pregnancy test, verification, and ultrasound, but would have to be reached through email due to having no working phone at that time. During further email communication with Sarah, she confirmed two positive home tests and shared the following: I'm already a mother of four. I started dating someone recently and I'm now pregnant. I showed him the positive test and his first suggestion was to 'get rid of it' because he's not ready for a baby. I'm very scared and would love to have someone to talk to because I don't feel like he cares and I'm just feeling very alone. Sarah and her boyfriend John* showed to her appointment at PDHC's Campus Center later that week, during which they had the opportunity to receive the support and encouragement they so desperately needed from one of PDHC's nurses, Kara. Sarah shared that she was not planning to become pregnant and has other children at home. Sarah described John as a "really good guy, but I was just hurt when at first he said he didn't want the pregnancy". John later confessed that although he does want Sarah to continue the pregnancy, he was very fearful given that he doesn't have any kids and lost a pregnancy due to miscarriage at four months during a previous relationship. John disclosed, "I'm still traumatized from it" but "always wanted to be a father eventually". Sarah also expressed being scared, including of abortion and how "it will affect me". Sarah indicated she "has always been against abortion"; she loves kids and since she has four already, "It would be really hard on me to lose one of my babies". Sarah described minimal family support and a desire to shelter her children from those difficult relationships in her life. John and Sarah were engaged during conversations about pregnancy options and were encouraged by Nurse Kara about parenting support and resources available to them as well. They had an opportunity to meet their little one through the wonder of ultrasound, revealing a nearly seven-week baby with strong fetal heart tones. Although the couple admitted it was "a lot to take in", they took ultrasound pictures home and agreed to return the following week for a repeat ultrasound. Despite several attempts to reach Sarah and John subsequent to their first visit, contact with the couple through email and text was unsuccessful over the next five weeks. But early in March, the hotline team received a new online appointment request from Sarah, this time seeking a "Community Resources and Referrals" visit. Sarah wrote: I met with Nurse Kara a few weeks ago. I would just like to come back in and speak with her if she'll be there. I need help getting insurance and I would like to get another ultrasound and just check on my baby if possible. My partner and I were considering abortion the last time we came in and we've decided we're keeping the baby. Sarah also reached out to PDHC's Family Empowerment and Connections text lines with a new phone number for follow-up. During those communications, she stated, "We had more time and thought to put into our decision, and we've decided to keep the baby. You were very sweet and kind and helpful during this process, and I just wanted to thank you for that and for reaching out again". Sarah has since received a subsequent ultrasound, this time capturing beautiful images of an active, nearly 14-week baby. The couple has been linked with support services and continues to be in contact with staff and various PDHC program offerings. Sarah and John's story is just one of many here at PDHC that highlights how important each piece of the puzzle, each touch point, is with a client. Every communication, every staff member, volunteer, and supporter - from point of first contact to consistent follow-up and ongoing support - contributes to engaging clients with love and encouragement and is so necessary for the work we do. It represents a beautiful tapestry weaving back and forth at this couple's point of need and preference, to ensure service provision at every stage. Sarah and John felt love and consistency here at PDHC and are now eagerly awaiting the birth of their child, instead of grieving another loss in their lives. PDHC nurses have a special calling to serve the Lord through the ministry of PDHC. They build trust and relationships with every individual, serving with care and compassion and a genuine heart for women in crisis. If you are a nurse or know someone looking for an opportunity to serve in this way, we would love to have you join our team. Click here for more information. *Names changed for confidentiality. Rescuing Lives and Impacting Generations, one Heartbeat at a Time. Kathy Scanlon, PDHC President
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Dear Friends,
Pregnancy Resource Centers have been on the frontline for more than 50 years, walking alongside women facing unexpected and challenging pregnancies, compassionately caring for them and their babies, helping save women from the known trauma of abortion, and empowering them to choose life for their babies. It begins with that unique and crucial intervention piece that happens in our center, taking the time to sit with a woman and really listen to her personal challenges and obstacles, providing her with a vision beyond her circumstances, and helping her to see her value and the life of her child through God’s eyes. Relationships are formed and trust is built as we help her resolve her issues and problems in a life-affirming way. At PDHC, when we say we are rescuing lives and impacting generations, one heartbeat at a time, that is exactly what we are doing, and the ultrasound is one of our most powerful tools in the center. You will see this in today’s story shared by a woman who came to PDHC abortion determined. After seeing her baby’s arms and legs fully formed and moving, and a strong, beating heartbeat on the ultrasound screen, she immediately changed her mind and chose life for her baby. I envision Jesus smiling. This intimate bonding time between the nurse and the new mom and between mom and her baby is just the beginning, as a miraculous moment of seeing her baby for the very first time is shared. Their journey together continues as their relationship grows, and mom is provided with ongoing physical, emotional, and spiritual support so she never feels alone. In the last 15 years, PDHC has provided 13,792 initial ultrasounds (a total of 16,734, as sometimes a new mom requires multiple scans), resulting in 10,894 life decisions. Think about those thousands of lives saved from abortion that are now 15 years old. They will become our future doctors, nurses, teachers, pastors, priests, missionaries, first responders, moms, dads, grandmothers and grandfathers, and the list goes on. Each with God-given spiritual gifts and talents which will impact the next generation. Some of those 15-year-olds may now be in our schools, hearing messages from our Common Sense Culture educators, learning about the importance of their character development and the healthy choices and behaviors they need to achieve their life goals for a bright and healthy future. Our fight to help rescue lives and impact families for generations continues. PDHC is part of the Ohio Pregnancy Resource Center Coalition, made up of over 100 pregnancy centers in Ohio, helping to make abortion unnecessary. According to the latest abortion statistics released by the Ohio Department of Health, in 2021, there were 21,813 abortions in Ohio, of which 3,551 were in Franklin and Fairfield Counties. The importance and impact of pregnancy resource centers in the community as one of the first lines of defense are undeniable. The latest impact numbers of Ohio pregnancy centers includes 126,590 individuals served, and over $9 million in free medical services. See full report here. However, there are many who don’t want us to succeed. Last week, pro-abortion advocates announced the language for their ballot initiative to enshrine abortion into the Ohio Constitution in this November’s General Election. It would allow abortions after babies have heartbeats and feel pain, overturn Ohio’s parental notification law when a minor seeks an abortion and eliminate the legal requirements for abortionists to follow basic hospital health and safety standards. According to Ohio Right to Life, the language is dangerously deceptive and would remove nearly every single regulation on abortion, allowing for abortion through 9 months of pregnancy. See full amendment language here: Ballot initiative to enshrine abortion into the Ohio Constitution Testimonies provided by Ohio Right to Life: As an Ohio physician committed to the highest standards of care for all of my patients, I am opposed to this initiative. This abortion-industry-led proposal lowers health and safety standards for women and girls by allowing abortionists to skirt basic hospital health and safety standards. As someone who has dedicated her life to protecting and preserving my patients’ health and wellbeing, I reject this dangerous measure. - Dr. Lillian Miller, OB/GYN The current proposed amendment to the constitution of Ohio would not allow any public discourse on the merits or lack thereof of any restrictions to abortion which most Americans agree upon. The language in this proposed amendment leaves a wide open door to legal abortion without any restriction on fetal age or development. Abortion is complicated, personal, and sensitive, and should be debated with thoughtful and honest dialogue. I’m calling on my fellow physicians and fellow citizens to reject this ill-conceived initiative and begin an honest dialog on how to move forward. - Dr. Lucy LaPerna As we continue on the frontline, we are so thankful for your prayers, your time volunteering, and your financial support that helps provide programs and services to make abortion unnecessary. Rescuing Lives and Impacting Generations, one heartbeat at a time. Kathy Scanlon, PDHC President Dear Friends,
January is Sanctity of Human Life (SOHL) Month, which began on January 13, 1984, when President Ronald Reagan issued a presidential proclamation designating the third Sunday of January as National Sanctity of Human Life Day. On that day, President Reagan referenced the 15 million babies who had lost their lives to abortion. “I call upon the citizens of this blessed land to gather on that day in homes and places of worship to give thanks for the gift of life, and to reaffirm our commitment to the dignity of every human being and the sanctity of each human life,” he said. Today, the number of lives lost to abortion has grown to nearly 65 million. Just 3 years prior to the President’s proclamation, PDHC had opened the doors to its first pregnancy resource center, and for over 42 years has continued to be a beacon of hope in the community to serve individuals right where they are, at this moment in their life, during their time of need, thus saving and changing thousands of lives. To recognize Sanctity of Human Life Month, 20 of our church partners and their congregations came together to support life through Bottles for Life events, baby showers, and diaper drives. We were blessed to receive several in-person invitations to speak about the impact of PDHC services in the community and how everyone can get involved through prayer, volunteering, and giving. We are thankful for all of the lives saved and impacted in 2022 and as we move forward into 2023 together, we ask for your continued prayers of support and protection for our centers, staff, volunteers, and for the women and families we serve. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:13-14 Rescuing Lives and Impacting Generations, one heartbeat at a time. Kathy Scanlon, PDHC President We are so thankful for the abundance of blessings the Lord has provided this year. We are thankful to have touched and impacted the lives of over 2,200 individuals in our Pregnancy Resource Centers, including 3 women who reached out to us for help with Abortion Pill Reversal services, and over 41,000 contacts on our 24-hour hotline. We praise God for 847 life decisions. We are grateful for over 8,000 online and nearly 900 in-person parenting education classes and over 2,800 material aid visits provided through our Family Empowerment Center. We are thankful to have touched the hearts and minds of over 5,000 students in our community through healthy choice education, and 84 individuals on their healing journey through abortion recovery programs and services.*
This year, we were blessed with five new 3D/4D ultrasound machines for our centers. We were able to expand our programs and services to include translation and interpretation services, individual and group counseling to pregnant moms from a licensed staff counselor, and additional parenting education and material aid support. We were able to add a Community Health Advocate staff member, to provide additional assistance to pregnant moms and their families to improve the health outcomes of women during pregnancy and infants early in their development to reduce pregnancy complications. We were also able to reach more women in need of our services through billboards, wall murals, and increased marketing and outreach efforts. We are thankful for our staff and volunteers, our community and church partners, our generous donors, and our passionate prayer warriors. Thank you for answering God’s call and helping us continue our mission to save and change lives. “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 May you and your family be richly blessed in the New Year. Making a difference every day, in every heartbeat, of every life saved, Kathy Scanlon  We are thankful that every day for over 41 years we have been entrusted to continue the mission of PDHC to rescue lives and impact families for generations. And we are thankful for each of you who make our mission possible so that we can continue to love, serve, and heal the broken, hurting, and hopeless who reach out to us for help.
Thank you for being our prayer warriors. We see hearts and minds changed every day through the power of your prayers from our Monday morning prayer requests regarding the women and families we serve. You have prayed over hundreds of intentions this year. Thank you for sharing your time and talents through volunteering. Volunteers on our 24/7 hotline show love and provide reassurance to women in crisis, often as the first point of contact. Nearly 40,000 calls, texts, and chats have been made to our hotline already this year. Volunteers in our four pregnancy centers serve with hearts full of kindness and compassion for women facing personal challenges with an unexpected pregnancy. This year, over 2,000 individuals have been served through nearly 6,000 visits to our centers. Volunteers in our Family Empowerment Center help to empower and strengthen new moms and dads and continue to nurture relationships with families. More than 7,500 online and over 800 in-person parenting education classes have been provided along with over 2,500 visits for much-needed baby items. Thousands of blankets, hats, booties, and more have been tenderly knitted, quilted, sewn, and prayed over by talented individuals and gifted to new moms. Volunteers in our abortion recovery program this year have helped over 80 individuals receive hope and healing in their recovery journey. Countless hours have been provided by individuals serving in an administrative capacity, helping us with mailers, bottles for life, events, maintenance, and center projects. We are so grateful for about 150 dedicated volunteers who have gifted nearly 11,000 hours of their time so far this year to further the mission of PDHC. Thank you for your individual, church, and community partners’ gifts of financial support which make it possible to provide four pillars of service at no cost: Intervention services through the hotline and pregnancy resource centers, Extension services through the Family Empowerment Program, Prevention services through the Common Sense Culture program providing sexual risk avoidance education to middle and high schools students, and Recovery services through the abortion recovery and pregnancy loss program. Your gifts have helped provide over 1,000 ultrasounds so far this year, resulting in 803 life decisions. More than 3,500 students have been impacted by healthy choices education in about 30 schools. More abortion-vulnerable and abortion-minded individuals have been reached through increased marketing efforts online, and through billboards, wall murals, websites, and social media. Additional key staff positions have been added to meet the growing needs of our clients. We are thankful for an amazing team of passionate individuals which God has called to serve and further the mission of PDHC. Thank you for your continued partnership. Together, we are making a difference every day, in every heartbeat, of every life saved. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 Mission: Possible - Happy Thanksgiving! Mission: Possible!
The pregnancy help center movement is now over 50 years old and continues to stand the test of time. Beginning in the late 1960s, life-affirming pregnancy centers began opening their doors as abortion was becoming legal in the United States. In the mid to late 80s, centers began providing pregnancy confirmation ultrasound services to provide a window to the womb and help moms bond with their unborn babies. PDHC opened its doors on January 22, 1981, on the 8th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, and joined forces with ultrasound services in 1995. PDHC and many other centers have continued to grow and expand programs and services to further meet the needs of women and families in the community throughout the decades. PDHC’s growth has included four resource center locations, sexual risk avoidance and character development education beginning in 1984, after-abortion support programs in 1989, and abortion pill reversal services in late 2019. Also added was our Family Empowerment Center in late 2020. In a survey of 2,700 pregnancy centers around the United States in 2019, the estimated value of services provided by pregnancy resource centers was nearly $267 million in aid to women and families. * The mission of pregnancy centers like PDHC is not possible without God at the center of everything we do, along with a community of support from life-minded friends, prayer warriors, volunteers, passionate team members, and our wonderful church and community partnerships. We are thankful for this year’s landmark decision to overturn Roe v. Wade on June 24th, giving the power back to each state to pass laws to ban, sanction, or regulate abortion. But abortion is still available. Depending on their state laws, Individuals are crossing state lines and looking for alternatives to receive abortion services. Chemical abortions via the abortion pill are readily available online and represented 80% of abortions in Franklin County in 2020. * The mission of PDHC continues and becomes even more critical than ever as we provide the resources families need in a post-Roe world. There will always be unexpected and challenging pregnancies, and women and their babies will still need love, hope, and practical help for healthy outcomes for their families. To accomplish this, we need to reach her first when she is on her phone during challenging circumstances and looking for help. Unfortunately, we are up against increasing efforts to censor pregnancy centers on Google. It is becoming necessary to spend more on Google Ads to get conversion rates. The abortion industry is targeting pregnancy centers as “Fake Clinics” and can spend much more in marketing dollars than what pregnancy resource centers are typically able to budget as non-profits. We need to continue growing and diversifying our efforts to compete against the abortion industry. Also, with this year’s events, pregnancy centers are experiencing increased threats from pro-abortion extremists. Many centers have been vandalized by graffiti with messages, “If abortion isn’t safe, neither are you,” fire-bombing, broken windows, destruction of property inside centers, social media attacks, and harassing phone calls. There have been times when special duty police officers are necessary. To further protect our centers, staff, volunteers, and the women who come to us for help, it was necessary for PDHC to install alarm systems with ongoing monthly security monitoring, panic buttons, and cameras at all five locations. We are currently working on a construction project that is needed at one of our centers to increase security. Despite these threats and with your help, PDHC will continue to meet the needs of women who are facing unexpected pregnancies as we have been doing for over 41 years. Please continue to keep us in your prayers and join us at our upcoming Celebration for Life galas to learn more about how you can help support us in these efforts and PDHC’s mission as we continue to stand the test of time. Mission: Possible! Blessings, Kathy *Charlotte Lozier Institute **Ohio Department of Health (ODH) The words, “We’re Here for You,” exemplifies who we are as a resource for women and families in the community. We are here to meet and serve individuals right where they are, at this moment in their life, during their time of need. We are a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental environment, providing programs and services free of charge. Every individual who crosses our path is treated with kindness, compassion, and in a caring manner.
Over the last several months, we have highlighted each of PDHC’s four pillars of service. We started with the impact of our Hotline and Center Services, followed by our Family Empowerment Program of parenting education and practical support. Last month, we highlighted our Common Sense Culture program, impacting middle and high school students with healthy choices education. This month, we focus on our Abortion Recovery Program, which helps individuals restore, reclaim, and recover from a past abortion experience. At PDHC, each program and service began because there was an essential need in the community. Our programs and services have continued to grow and evolve over the last 41 years, positively impacting thousands of lives and we will continue to provide the same love and compassionate care to everyone we serve. Unfortunately, the latest opposition to our excellent work happened on Monday, when the Columbus City Council passed three ordinances: 0143-2022, 2216-2022, and 2215-2022. Ordinance 2215 specifically targets pregnancy resource centers. For links to recent news article and coverage of the City Council meeting, see below. Columbus City Council to vote on bills protecting abortion reproductive healthcare Coverage of the City Council meeting with Proposed Reproductive Right Ordinances (starts around the 3:21 mark) Thank you for being there for us. Please continue to pray for the safety and protection of our centers, staff, volunteers, and those we serve. “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40 Making a difference every day, in every heartbeat, of every life saved, Kathy We have just witnessed history! Today’s Supreme Court ruling has overturned Roe v. Wade, which gives the power back to each state to pass laws to ban, sanction, or regulate abortion.
See article on common myths associated with the overturning of Roe v. Wade See a copy of the final opinion For over 41 years, PDHC has stood as a beacon of hope for women who need compassionate care and support when faced with an unexpected pregnancy. The mission of pregnancy resource centers does not change. Our work continues and becomes more important than ever, as women will still face challenges and barriers regarding their pregnancies. PDHC stands ready to provide practical resources and life-affirming options through our 24/7 hotline, free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, abortion pill reversal services, pregnancy and parenting education, much needed baby items, and outreach to a network of community support and resources. For individuals who are struggling with a past abortion experience, PDHC’s Abortion Recovery programs and services provide hope and healing in a judgement free, safe, and confidential environment where women gain a community of support and build life-long friendships. PDHC’s programs and services remain dedicated to the women and families we serve in the Central Ohio community. We are here for you! Thank you for walking alongside us throughout the years. Please continue to pray for the women and families we serve, our centers, and our staff and volunteers as we continue our life-affirming work, all for the Glory of God. Making a difference every day, in every heartbeat, of every life saved, Kathy The leak of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health draft opinion has caused cautious hope for the pro-life movement and panic amongst abortion activists. As usual, the mainstream media has a strong bias against the pro-life side, and many sources are misrepresenting the facts of the case as well as its possible effects.
In all of the confusion, you may be wondering, “What does this mean for me, right here in Ohio? Will abortion be gone for good? If so, will we still need pregnancy centers?” Attached is a brief fact sheet with some key questions and answers about the case and what it may mean for the pro-life movement, both nationally and in Ohio (see email attachment). A few points we cover are:
No matter what happens in politics, though, we will hold fast to this belief: That every mother, father, and child is of infinite value and deserving of abundant life in Christ. We plan to weather this storm and to continue meeting the needs of every person who comes to us for help. We pray that you will continue to support this mission as well. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 Blessings, Kathy For the next few months, President's Corner will highlight some of our staff leaders in their individual roles within our 4 pillars, beginning with Pregnancy Support. We begin from the heart of Rachel, who oversees staff and volunteers on our 24/7 hotline. Making a difference every day, in every heartbeat, of every life saved, Kathy Scanlon  PDHC originated in 1981 out of a heart for life and love... with a phone by a bed and servants ready and available to listen at the point of a woman's greatest need. 41 years later, PDHC Connections staff and volunteers continue to serve families on the front lines 24/7 by answering calls, texts, and chats - most commonly as the point of a client's initial contact to PDHC. The opportunity to communicate God's grace and hope to the uncertain, the undecided, the hurting is a humbling privilege. Yet, the press to impart value and vision through anonymous and often brief platforms is a challenge only the Holy Spirit can achieve as we plant seeds in obedience to Him. Jesus assures us that He weeps when we mourn, and He shares in our joy when we celebrate. Ecclesiastes tell us, "There is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance". There are moments we answer a call for a couple desperate to see two pink lines on that home test, or to confirm that occurrence in one of our centers "so it feels real", so they can believe that it is true. Yet there are many more times we consult with those barely able to put into words their fear, pain, and desperation not to see the very same lines. The juxtaposition of seasons in our lives and the lives of those seeking assistance at PDHC is rarely more obvious than in the case of clients requesting Abortion Pill Reversal services. Earlier this year, a young woman reached out to the national Abortion Pill Reversal hotline and was directed to PDHC as her closest provider, albeit nearly an hour and a half from her home. She shared honestly and frankly that she "wasn't 100% confident in [her] decision to begin with" and in just several hours "wanted to change my mind". A young, single mother 10 weeks pregnant in a fractured relationship, still living at home with her parents, she expressed being "ashamed" at her choices, but mostly in her decision to initiate an abortion procedure. Her commitment to walking out the change process included sharing hard details with strangers on the other end of the phone and with medical staff with whom she would interact over the next few hours. It included driving early and alone, hours round trip multiple times, to access medication and ultrasounds to establish ongoing viability of pregnancy. It included hard consequences like forfeiting finances paid to the abortion provider, as well as a significant amount of Progesterone induced nausea, vomiting and sleepless nights. Ultimately it included sharing those hard details again with ones closest to her, namely her parents, her former boyfriend, and her friends. When praying for the abortion reversal client, especially this one, God always impresses on my heart the humility, strength, and courage it takes to initiate this process: to say I was wrong, will you please help me? To share parts of a very personal story and choices made in secret and shame. To place faith in strangers and in an unknown outcome. I marvel at the heart of that mother, who although didn't think she was ready to be one, acted out a mother's heart in every decision thereafter. That's the Holy Spirit work in which we have the honor to share a small part - to be the tangible voice of reassurance, of hope, of the love of the Father. At the core, PDHC's greatest ministry is that of 2 Corinthians 1:4: "He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." Most recent updates from this client are highlighted by linkage with ongoing prenatal care, sharing with family members "which went well", reunification with the father of her unborn child, planning a baby shower, and expecting a little boy in September. Glory be to the Lord for providing this garment of praise in place of the spirit of despair (Isaiah 61:3). We stand expectant of the amazing testimony this family will share and in the generational impact one brave phone call restored. We stand ready to witness the beautiful blessing this little boy will be to so many and to this world. Psalm 46:10 sums up this powerful transformation: Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth. Thank you for sharing in this calling through your prayers and support. Be encouraged and do not become weary in doing good, for the Father is ever at work in the hearts and minds of those whom He loves. Rachel Myers, PDHC Connections Manager  Rachel Myers is PDHC's Connections Manager - she provides oversight of client outreach services to include crisis hotline, text, and online communication, as well as efforts to expand client contacts.
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