By Matt Abbott
Op/Ed

There is no doubt that January 22, 1973 was one of the darkest days in our nation's history. On that day, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that unborn children had no legal right to life and thus could be killed up to the moment of birth. An estimated 1.5 million pre-born children have been slaughtered each year through legal abortion since the infamous Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton decisions.

Thus, for the last 31 years, right-to-life advocates have been actively involved in fighting the grave evil of abortion through prayer, education, sidewalk counseling, and peaceful protest in front of the abortion mills.

While many abortions are procured for selfish reasons, a not insignificant number of abortion-seeking women do choose life for their babies when provided with loving alternatives.

The Women's Center, a pro-life crisis pregnancy center located in Chicago, helps these women do just that. Originally known as Des Plaines Pro-Life, The Women's Center was founded by Conrad Wojnar, a devout Catholic and the father of seven children. The center currently operates out of three Chicago-area locations with a small but dedicated group of volunteers and staff. Funded entirely by private donations and fundraising projects, The Women's Center saves nearly 2,000 babies a year from abortion!

The center believes that the most effective way to reach the largest number of abortion-bound women is simply to advertise as an agency which helps women confronting problem pregnancies. The staffers provide "neutral image" counseling, which gives the women pro-life information in a way and a time when they are prepared to accept it.

According to Wojnar, "About 40 to 50 percent of pregnant mothers think they have their minds made up about getting an abortion but can be 'turned around' — if we can get their attention before they enter an abortuary and provide them with facts regarding fetal development and the medical risks they face in going through an abortion. ... At least 60 percent of those who are pregnant and originally say they are 'seeking abortion' change their minds and give birth."

Other policies and services of The Women's Center include: maintaining a Christ-like attitude and philosophy, offering all work to the Lord in prayer; fostering and encouraging chastity and abstinence for all unmarried clients; introducing Natural Family Planning to married clients; informing the client about abortifacients and their dangers; strengthening spiritual values and beliefs through ongoing counseling; ensuring confidentiality; providing adoption referrals and post-abortion counseling; and distributing free clothing, food, furniture, and layettes to families in need.

God bless them!

(The Women's Center's website is www.womens-center.org)

Contact

Matt Abbott
  IL, US
Matt Abbott - Author, 

Email

mattcabbott@hotmail.com

Keywords

Catholic, Abbott, abortion, counseling