May has been a busy month at PDHC. This week, we held our 32nd annual Golf for Life outing, with 92 golfers enjoying a picture-perfect day! Jenn, PDHC’s Human Resource Manager, was helping at the registration table and shared this experience. “When we arrived for our annual golf outing, a tree service was onsite working not far from our registration table. It was a beautiful day, other than talking over the sound of their equipment. While we were still greeting golfers as they arrived, one of the tree service workers came to the table to show us a picture. He said they listen to The River, who was also there playing music for our event, and thought we would be interested in what they found. There was a mother bird who was determined to not move from her nest while they worked to cut back branches around her. They were careful to not harm her, but what struck me was her unwavering protection of life. What a beautiful reminder that no matter how loud or close those who don’t share our values may be, we are called to be like this mother bird, defending life no matter what is happening around us.”
We are so thankful for the many men like those at our event, who boldly defend and support the life-saving work of PDHC. They represent families, businesses, church partners, and other life-minded organizations. Before heading out on the course, the men listened intently during the lunch program as Rachel and Nurse Alyssa, members of our hotline and center team, shared their experiences surrounding the role and influence men have in the work we do at PDHC. “Not only are these beautiful stories of heart changes at the very last minute, including women who were sitting in consults at local abortion clinics, but they are women brought to PDHC by men – sidewalk intercessors and PDHC supporters, “ Rachel shared. “What a life-changing force men were in the lives of these clients and their children.” May is a month we honor moms. At PDHC, we honor mothers every day, from the moment she reaches out to our crisis hotline or walks through our doors. Each new mom has a unique story to tell that brings her through our doors today. Many are experiencing challenging circumstances, hurt, emotional trauma, or brokenness. It is important that we take the time to really listen, to learn the “why” behind her “what” so that we can establish trust, provide hope, and build relationships so she doesn’t feel alone in her circumstances. Already this month, we have served 356 individuals through 460 visits to our centers, including personalized consultations, pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, in-person parenting education classes, and visits for much-needed baby items. We welcome Jesus into our centers every day and we want to entrust all that we do to Him. This month, we were blessed to have Bishop Fernandes pray a special blessing over our Campus center, our team, volunteers, and the women who come through our doors for help by performing a Sacred Heart Enthronement for the workplace. Plans are in place to have this special blessing provided at each of our centers.
We kicked off our Mother’s Day to Father’s Day Bottles for Life campaign with many of our wonderful church partners participating. Several churches are also holding much-needed diaper and material aid drives to bless our new families. Last week, we held a legislative education evening with panelists Peter Range, CEO of Ohio Right to Life (ORTL), Nilani Jawahar, Legislative Liaison with Center for Christian Virtue, and Jessica Warner, Marketing and Communications with our affiliate Heartbeat International. Over 100 individuals attended this information-packed evening, followed by a great question-and-answer session. Peter talked about the November Ballot Initiative, Article 1, Section 22, and shared what the Ballot language says vs. what it would really mean. He shared that it would take away parental consent for minors obtaining abortion services and make abortion legal without any restrictions through all nine months of pregnancy in Ohio. More information is below. Nilani talked about the August special election to vote on State Issue 1 – which if passed, would elevate the standards to qualify for and to pass any Ohio Constitutional Amendment. More information is below. Jessica shared updates on the abortion pill and the impact of lives saved through abortion pill reversal services. Mother’s Day is a difficult time for women who have experienced abortion or any type of pregnancy or infant loss, and we were able to provide compassionate care and a supportive community. “It truly is beautiful and even overwhelming to witness the transformation that occurs in our Healing Services participants time and time again. Our God is faithful,” said Carolyn, Director of Client Services. “This experience was life-changing, this has removed the pain, shame, and guilt that I’ve felt and have kept hidden for many years,” said a participant. “Through the support and healing I have received from God and PDHC Healing Services Programs, now I truly believe that I am a mother who completely loves her child and that my child is safe in the arms of Jesus.” Thank you for walking alongside us each and every day! “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
Rescuing Lives and Impacting Generations, one Heartbeat at a Time. Kathy Scanlon, PDHC President
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