president's corner - August 2020

On January 22, 2021, PDHC will celebrate 40 years of rescuing lives and impacting generations. Founded in 1981, PDHC was the FIRST comprehensive pregnancy center, providing four core services since 1984: Pregnancy Intervention, Family Empowerment, Youth Development and Abortion Recovery Services.  As a pioneer in pregnancy resource centers, PDHC’s comprehensive services are designed to serve the whole person; mind, body, and soul. PDHC’s rich history in the community is an opportunity to reflect on the thousands of lives that have been saved and changed over the last four decades.  Through our founders, board members, medical directors, nurses, staff, teachers, volunteers, donors, our church, business and community partners, and prayer warriors, God continues to richly bless this ministry with growth and perseverance.  “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."  Isaiah 43:19  

To share more of PHDC’s rich history; PDHC was the FIRST pregnancy center in the United States to have multiple sites and branch offices and the FOURTH in the United States to offer ultrasound services. Even amidst the pandemic, texts and chats to our 24/7 hotline are up 25% over last year.  Women vulnerable to abortion are feeling even more anxious and fearful during this time.  Chemical abortions are on the rise, representing almost 40% of all abortions in the United States.  PDHC’s new abortion pill reversal services give women who have taken the first abortion pill and regret their decision, a second chance to save their babies. Timing is critical and PDHC stands ready to help.  

PDHC was the FIRST pregnancy center in the United States to receive a federal grant for abstinence education (now referred to as sexual risk avoidance education). Last year, our education team taught almost 10,000 students in 58 schools about making healthy choices to achieve their life goals. Because of the pandemic, schools closed down in March and our education team was not able to reach our students in the classroom with their valuable, positive messaging. They have worked diligently to record and video all their new curriculum in preparation of the upcoming virtual school year and will be working closely with community partners to reach students in Learning Extension Centers. 

PDHC was the FIRST pregnancy center in the United States to develop a post abortion support group. One in four women have experienced abortion* and 9 out of 10 women don’t know where to go for support and healing.**  With the rise in chemical abortions, a new study shows an overwhelming 83% of women reported their chemical abortion changed them, 77% stated they regretted their abortion decision, and 38% reported issues with anxiety, depression, drug abuse and suicidal thoughts.*** PDHC provides hope and healing to women who have experienced abortion through connection meetings, recovery support groups, weekend retreats and a 24/7 hotline.  Due to an increasing need, PDHC has now expanded our recovery programs to include help for those that have experienced pregnancy loss through miscarriage.

Just like we have for the last 40 years, we want to continue providing these life-saving and life-changing services for another 40 years.  Whatever your calling to serve at PDHC has been, then and now, thank you for walking alongside the women who need this wonderful ministry.  “…My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."  2 Corinthians 12:9  

Blessings,
​
Kathy Scanlon
President

*Guttmacher Institute
**American Psychological Association
***Heroic Media & Shapard Research