“Where two or more are gathered, there I am in the midst of them. “-- Matthew 18:20
The Pennsylvania Pregnancy Wellness Collaborative (PPWC) held its first press conference March 19 at the state capitol in Harrisburg.
Pregnancy medical clinic staffers, some clad in medical scrubs, lined the stage along with clients holding their babies. I was honored to be a part of this group as I stood with my co-workers representing our center, Crossroads Pregnancy Center in central Pennsylvania.
State representatives and senators who support pregnancy centers were on hand to take the podium. These legislators were on the defense for all Pennsylvania centers which have come under attack during the Governor Josh Shapiro administration.
In 2023 Shapiro took away funding from Real Alternatives, an umbrella organization that provides support for pregnancy centers. The state attorney general’s office later put out a complaint form to allow clients to make accusations against pregnancy medical clinics.
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As a client services manager, as well as a writer, I have been watching carefully as the Shapiro administration works to shut down centers like mine. What a powerful moment to be united with other centers from as far away as Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and the Poconos. This collaboration is new to everyone on board, and we pray the folks in our capital city will take us seriously.
PPWC President Sarah Bowen introduced the organization as “a new initiative unifying pregnancy medical clinics and resource centers that provide compassionate and essential care for women and families in Pennsylvania.”
Moms held their infants and toddlers as Bowen and others spoke. Some moms excused themselves from the stage as their little ones began to fuss or cry. Bowen called after one mom as she exited reminding her that no one on the stage is bothered by the babies’ vocalizations. Those babies were why we were standing there.
A heavy emphasis was placed upon what services such centers provide. Speaker after speaker highlighted the various programs that are offered in our Pennsylvania clinics and resource centers. One government official pointed out that pregnancy centers are helping the next generation of Pennsylvanians.
This is done not only by providing comprehensive services, but it also enhances maternal health as medical professionals in the centers may be able to identify health issues early in the pregnancy. Discovery of an ectopic pregnancy, for example, saves the life of the mother. There is a community impact at our centers. We help women and men made wise decisions that will impact their families.
Tweet This: Pregnancy help staff members, moms & babies served by pregnancy help, attended the Pregnancy Wellness Collaborative press conference Mar. 19
Meanwhile critics label us as “fake” or “deceitful” simply because we will not refer clients for an abortion. The media portrays us as “far right” or “religious.” During the press event there may have been media representatives who made up their mind before any of our advocates spoke a word. They may have seen us as a waste of time and perhaps were disturbed at the number babies drooling, fussing, and cooing at such in such a professional setting.
While everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, the media is meant to be unbiased. Those of us who have worked in this field know that the media is not always willing to cover us fairly.
However, all the negativity that is spewed this direction is absolutely fine.
It’s fine, because if God is for us, who can truly be against us?
Following the press event, some of us joined the Pennsylvania Family Institute for lunch and encouragement. A judge shared some insight along with a former attorney who worked under Josh Shapiro when he was state attorney general.
These ladies pointed out that we as pregnancy center staff members walk in truth.
While we stood on that stage as video cameras rolled and photographers shot photos with their cameras flashing, I could not help but smile. I wasn’t smiling because I was being photographed. I smiled as I listened to Sarah Bowen and the others speak with such truth and passion. I thanked God over and over in my mind as we were each planted in that location in solidarity. God chose every one of us on that stage to play the part that we play. He chose every mom on that stage holding her baby to walk into a pregnancy center.
I opened this column with the verse in Matthew 18:20. We are not alone in this fight. He is in our midst.
He is with us in our centers. He is with us in Pennsylvania and every state across this nation. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
