Abigail Skelton

As the season changes, the air is crisp, the leaves are changing color, and our thoughts naturally turn to gratitude and the promise of a bountiful harvest. Here at Morning Star, we see a different kind of harvest taking place every day—a harvest of new-found hope in the lives of vulnerable women and families.

When Emily* walked through our doors last fall, the season felt anything but promising. Having just left an abusive relationship and with an uncertain living situation, Emily felt alone and afraid. She was scared her abuser might find out she was pregnant and come looking for her, and she didn’t think she could provide for and take care of a baby on her own. She felt abortion was her only option. When she came to Morning Star, Emily wasn’t looking for judgment; she was looking for a lifeline. She needed hope.

Thanks to the compassion of supporters like you, Morning Star was able to offer her that hope. At Morning Star, Emily learned about all her options. A trained patient advocate helped Emily identify her barriers and find solutions through community referrals. During her free ultrasound, Emily saw her baby’s heartbeat for the first time and her despair turned to hope. As her due date approached, Emily participated in our parenting classes and received material assistance, which equipped her with the knowledge and resources she needed to begin her journey into motherhood with confidence.

This past summer, Emily welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world. Because of your support, Emily’s future, once overshadowed by fear, is now bright with the promise of new life.

This is the harvest we celebrate—the incredible, Life-affirming choices of women and families in our community.

Thanks to YOU, Morning Star is reaching more women actively searching for abortion, offering them confidence and support. Just as the seasons change, so do our challenges, and Morning Star has risen to these challenges! In May 2024, Morning Star began implementing the SperaVita model in our clinics, strengthening our support to women most at risk for abortion and empowering them to choose LIFE.

This wouldn’t be possible without you, and now Morning Star needs your help more than ever to be there for more moms like Emily who think that abortion is their ONLY option. Pregnant moms who feel alone and scared. Giving today will ensure that these moms find support and hope for their futures.

Morning Star needs to raise $167,000 by the end of this year to reach our end-of-year budget goal to support 258 more moms like Emily with essential, Life-affirming services including:

Pregnancy testing
Ultrasound examinations
STD testing and treatment
Options counseling and emotional support
Parenting classes for moms and dads
Material assistance such as diapers, formula, and clothing
Additional support to meet the individual needs of her and her family

On average, it costs Morning Star $648 to provide all our services to one mom in our community—the medical services and counseling she needs to make a choice for Life, as well as ongoing support so she can parent with confidence.

Your donation of $648 today—or $54 a month—will provide a mom like Emily with Life-affirming support throughout her pregnancy journey. With your gift, you can turn her despair into hope, empowering her to choose Life.

Through your generosity, Morning Star has been blessed to witness so many stories like Emily’s. Thank you in advance for continuing to sow hope by investing in Morning Star’s ministry and for empowering even more moms to choose Life.

*Client names have been changed to protect confidentiality. Photos are stock photos posed by models.

Morning Star is here to help every woman facing an unplanned pregnancy, no matter her circumstances. Every woman’s story is different. When she walks through our clinic doors, she brings her own fears, challenges, and obstacles… but there is one thing that all our Morning Star moms have in common: YOU.

Because of YOU, the five moms whose stories we share below were empowered to choose Life. Because of YOU, their babies have a future. And, in total, with YOUR support, 511 babies were saved from abortion in 2024 through Morning Star’s services.

From now until June 20, partner with Pronio’s Market to support a mom at risk for abortion. It costs $410.70 to provide one mother with an initial client visit, which includes non-judgmental counseling, information and education on all her options, a medical-grade pregnancy test, an ultrasound by a registered diagnostic medical sonographer, and STD testing and treatment by a registered nurse.

Help us raise $30,000 by June 20 to support 73 mothers in our community. Your gift of $205.35 will be matched to provide one mom with Life-affirming support. Or partner with the Pronio Family and support TWO moms with a donation of $410.70!

Join Pronio’s Market to help women in all types of situations—supporting the family and future that God has planned for Her.

Aleaha, who is in high school and was afraid her parents would kick her out

Morning Star’s patient advocate learned about Aleaha’s situation and encouraged her to tell her parents. When Aleaha’s mom heard the news, she saw the tears streaming down Aleaha’s face and rushed to hug and reassure her. Morning Star provided Aleaha with prenatal vitamins, transitioned her into prenatal care, and is supporting Aleaha with classes so she can learn to be a good parent and role model.

Lucia and Jeremiah, who are expecting their fourth baby and barely making ends meet

When Lucia told her husband, Jeremiah, that she was pregnant, he said to get an abortion because they couldn’t afford another child. Lucia came to Morning Star for a pregnancy medical appointment and returned home with an ultrasound picture. Jeremiah looked at it and said, “It’s a baby… we’ve got to have it.” Morning Star is connecting Jeremiah and Lucia with community resources to help offset the financial burden and is providing them with a pack ‘n play and baby supplies.

Rose, who was undecided and didn’t realize an STD could threaten both their lives.

Rose wanted information and an ultrasound to help her make a decision about her pregnancy. However, when Morning Star’s medical team determined she needed STD testing, Rose found out that she was positive for syphilis—putting her life and her baby’s at risk. Rose decided to keep her baby and came back for treatment, putting her and her baby on a trajectory for a healthy outcome.

Stacy and Daniel, who are empty nesters and felt too old to have a baby.

Stacy and Daniel didn’t have the energy they used to and were looking forward to traveling and being grandparents, not parents to a newborn. At Morning Star, they were able to discuss their situation and see the ultrasound—showing them their fully developed baby. Daniel took Stacy’s hand during the ultrasound and both agreed that they had to have their child.

Aura, who is putting herself through college and just wants to graduate and start her career.

After discussions with a patient advocate at Morning Star, to her surprise, Aura determined that placing her baby for adoption is the best option for her. Morning Star is connecting her with the help she needs to ascertain what type of adoption is best for her and to move forward in the adoption process.

*Client names have been changed to protect confidentiality.

On December 3, partner with Morning Star to reach our #GivingTuesday goal of $15,000 to provide an initial client visit to 36 women who are considering or want an abortion. A first visit includes:

Non-judgmental counseling with a patient advocate
Information and education on all her options
Medical-grade pregnancy test by medical personnel
An ultrasound by a registered diagnostic medical sonographer (RDMS)
STD testing by a registered nurse (RN)

These no-cost services make HER choice for Life possible!

Because of YOU, we are here for HER.

Last year, Morning Star rejoiced that more moms chose Life for their babies than any other year in our 52-year history.
The stories below show how your support is impacting Life in our community.

Mariana’s Story

Because of YOU… She has a son who graduated.

Mariana* was homeless and living with a friend when she found out she was pregnant. The father of the baby, Adrian*, had been incarcerated several times, was abusive when he was around her, was on and off of drugs, and definitely didn’t want a child to support financially. He told Mariana to get an abortion.

Mariana was afraid of Adrian and didn’t want to be tied to him forever with a baby. She didn’t have any money and, unsure of what to do, she made an appointment at Morning Star.

Her friend came with her for support, and Mariana was able to and talk through her options. Her patient advocate spent time with her discussing a plan on how she could raise the baby and ensure it would be in a safe environment. Mariana chose Life for her baby and enacted the safety plan so she could parent her little boy.

This summer, Mariana was in Harrisburg and stopped at Morning Star to share photos of her son in his cap and gown. She thanked our staff and our donors for Morning Star’s free services. It was because of the support she received at Morning Star that she proudly has a son who has graduated.

Supporting Mariana supports Life. Join us in making a difference in our community. Together, we can provide a circle of support to the moms who come through our doors, so that they can celebrate all the milestones in their children’s lives. Donate now.

Brittany’s Story

Because of YOU… An abortion clinic worker’s granddaughter chose Life!

Joan* had worked at an abortion clinic for many years in a neighboring state. At age 17, her granddaughter, Brittany*, was facing an unplanned pregnancy and went to Joan for guidance. Joan felt the pregnancy would ruin her granddaughter’s life and “knew” abortion was the only solution. But Joan also wanted Brittany to talk it out with someone who would go through all her options, so that she could come to the same conclusion on her own—that abortion was the “right choice.”

Joan had heard about Morning Star and made the trip to PA to take Brittany to an appointment at our Middletown clinic.

Brittany sat down with a Morning Star advocate and explained that she had been in a relationship with her boyfriend for the past two years and loved him. She wasn’t 100% sure what she wanted to do about the pregnancy, but she knew she didn’t want to be a parent. She listened to all the information the patient advocate provided her about adoption, abortion and parenting. Torn between abortion and adoption, Brittany walked into the exam room for the ultrasound. Brittany was able to see her 10-week-old baby on the monitor and asked several questions about the pregnancy.

After the ultrasound, Brittany met up with her grandmother in the waiting room and told her that she wanted to come back next week. At the following appointment, Brittany had a second ultrasound and then told her patient advocate that she wanted to pursue adoption. Brittany wasn’t ready to be a mom, but she also couldn’t abort the life she was seeing on the monitor.

Because of you, Brittany was able to talk through her options, receive important information to make an informed choice, and receive two ultrasounds. Brittany received the support she needed to choose Life—even when faced with outside pressures to abort. Don’t wait to make your Life-giving donation. Donate now.

Molly and Teddy’s Story

Because of YOU… Molly chose Life and Teddy is taking Fatherhood Foundations classes.

Molly met Teddy* online during COVID. They had a long-distance relationship, living several states apart for three years, but in 2024 they married and Molly moved to Central PA.*

However, once they began their life as a married couple, things did not go they way Molly thought they would. She found Teddy distant and always hanging out with friends. She was angry about giving up her “life” to move to PA and felt very isolated and alone. Not knowing whether she wanted to continue the marriage, she also came to the realization that she was pregnant.

Molly didn’t want to tell Teddy about the baby because she was considering an abortion. It would be easier to leave him if there wasn’t a baby in the picture. Molly made an appointment at Morning Star because it was confidential and the services were free.

Molly discussed her situation with our patient advocate who provided her with information and education on all of her options, including the risks associated with abortion. She also heard Molly’s concerns that Teddy might leave her to take care of the baby while he went out with friends. Molly said she would be “stuck without a break” and would shoulder all of the responsibilities. Our advocate told her about the free parenting classes Morning Star offers. She emphasized that the Fatherhood Foundations program teaches fathers how to support the moms during pregnancy, care for their babies after they are born, and how to be good role models.

Feeling more encouraged by the support available for her husband, Molly then received an ultrasound, dating her pregnancy at nine weeks. Molly told our sonographer that she couldn’t believe the development of her baby already. She walked out of our clinic with a second appointment and the time to review the materials provided and time to think.

The following week, Molly arrived at Morning Star with Teddy. He was nervous but excited to see his baby on ultrasound and learn more about the Fatherhood Foundations program. At the end of their second appointment, Molly told her advocate that they will be having their baby and are looking forward to the classes, bringing them closer together to raise their child.

Donate today to help us reach our #GivingTuesday goal of $15,000 to provide 36 moms with an initial client visit. Providing no-cost pregnancy medical and social services to support moms and dads like Molly and Teddy empowers them to choose Life. Donate now.

Larissa and Emiliano’s Story

Because of YOU… Larissa and Emiliano saw their baby on ultrasound!

Larissa* did not want to be pregnant. After telling Emiliano* about the pregnancy, they both agreed not to tell anyone, especially their families. They both grew up in religious households. They didn’t want to admit to pre-marital sexual relations and feel like they had disappointed their parents. They also didn’t want their families to pressure them into continuing the pregnancy.

Throughout their appointment, they kept stressing to their patient advocate that no one could know about the pregnancy—it would bring shame to their families. When they received the ultrasound, our sonographer explained that she was very early in the pregnancy and it was too soon to confirm viability. Larissa and Emiliano said they hoped she would have a miscarriage. They made an appointment for the following week and during their second ultrasound they saw their baby’s heartbeat. Emiliano locked eyes with our sonographer, looking shocked and overwhelmed. Larissa didn’t say a word and looked away. Our sonographer offered them a picture of the ultrasound and Larissa didn’t respond, but Emiliano said he wanted it.

Afterwards, in the counseling room, Emiliano teared up as he held the ultrasound picture. He told our advocate that he knows Larissa doesn’t want the baby, it’s “her choice,” but after seeing the ultrasound he wants her to continue the pregnancy. Larissa just stared at Emiliano, giving no response. Our patient advocate went on to explain the support services Morning Star provides, if they chose to continue the pregnancy. Emiliano was interested in the Fatherhood Foundations parenting classes and said they would definitely need help with baby supplies since he was still in school. They left with information on all their options and said they needed time to think and talk.

The following week Emiliano reached out and told their patient advocate they were continuing the pregnancy and needed guidance on getting Larissa prenatal care. He also shared that they decided to move up their plans for marriage and told their families about their baby. Emiliano and Larissa felt good about their plans for the future and know they can return to Morning Star for continued resources and support throughout their journey.

It is because of your donations that Morning Star’s three clinics can be open to provide the support moms and dads need to choose Life. YOU helped 686 moms celebrate their children’s birthdays last year. With your continued support, even more families will celebrate birthdays and God’s precious gift of Life. Donate now.

Camila’s Story

Because of YOU… she was supported after she said “No” to an abortion.

Camila was a freshman in college. Just two weeks after arriving on campus, Camila met a guy at a fraternity party and she quickly jumped into an exclusive relationship with him.*

Slowly, he became verbally abusive to her. By the end of the winter semester he had become physically abusive. Over winter break, Camila was able to reflect on the situation, realizing she was in an unhealthy relationship that needed to end.

When she resumed school, she broke it off. She had every intention of never seeing him again, but their paths crossed many times over the years and eventually she was placed in a situation where he forced himself on her.

Traumatized, Camila was in shock when she realized she was pregnant. Without a second thought, Camila immediately scheduled an abortion. However, when the day came, Camila turned around and walked out of the clinic. She couldn’t do it. She knew she didn’t want an abortion.

Camila came to Morning Star for information on adoption and to learn what type of support was available to her if she kept the baby. After receiving the information from a Morning Star patient advocate, Camila had an ultrasound. She looked at the monitor and, seeing the heartbeat, told her sonographer that she was going to keep her baby.

Morning Star supported Camila with baby supplies and referred her for other resources to meet all of the challenges she faced. Camila shared with many staff members that she always felt safe and secure at Morning Star and was very grateful she chose Life—”my child is my everything.”

Thank you for helping women like Camila. You are a vital part of this mission and we are blessed to partner with you. Thank you for your compassion, your generosity this #GivingTuesday, and your unwavering support of Life throughout the year. Donate now.

*Names changed to protect confidentiality

Christmas is a period of reflection and a season to count our blessings. It’s a time to draw closer in our faith and remember Jesus’ love to help others. You are one of Morning Star’s blessings. You continue to stand up for Life by loving and supporting mothers who find themselves facing unplanned pregnancies and who are struggling with their decisions.

Morning Star’s patient advocates and medical staff are here for so many young girls and women who have experienced trauma in their lives, girls like Charlotte…

Charlotte* ran away from home at age 11… and was sex trafficked. At 15 years old, she got in trouble with the law. She was eventually released and placed into the care of an aunt. As Charlotte struggled to deal with the trauma she had endured, she also wrestled with going back to school and attending classes. She couldn’t pretend that nothing had happened and that her life was “normal.” Charlotte desperately looked for acceptance and love—and at 16, she got pregnant.

When Charlotte’s aunt found out about the pregnancy, she immediately called Morning Star to set up an appointment and provide background information on Charlotte’s situation. Morning Star’s staff met Charlotte’s needs—physically, mentally and emotionally. Our patient advocate gave her the extra time she needed during counseling so Charlotte’s anxiety lessened and she became more open and comfortable speaking about her current situation. When Charlotte became agitated and demonstrated physical symptoms of anxiety upon seeing her baby during the ultrasound, our sonographer took the time to reassure her, answered her questions in a calming manner and directed her focus on the present, instead of past traumatic experiences.

Our medical team also provided STD testing to ensure Charlotte’s health was safeguarded and educated her on the different STDs, gently discussing ways to value herself and her body.

Morning Star’s patient advocate concluded the pregnancy appointment by sharing resources that would be available to Charlotte if she chose adoption or parenting: She wouldn’t be alone.

Although Charlotte had experienced so much devastation in her 16 years of life, she chose to continue her pregnancy—Charlotte chose LIFE! Her aunt was willing to continue providing a home for Charlotte, as well as her new baby, and Morning Star will continue to support Charlotte with parenting classes and baby supplies.

Morning Star is able to provide Life-affirming pregnancy medical services at no cost. Many women come to us because they can’t afford an ultrasound or STD testing and treatment. These moms also want to talk to someone about their situation and gather information on all their options so they can make an informed decision.

Moms are supported after their babies are born. Moms can receive baby clothing and supplies when they can’t afford to clothe and take care of their babies. And so many of the moms who come through our doors haven’t had role models. Morning Star’s Live Connected classes are giving them education on relationship and parenting skills and how to create a budget and save for their future.

By the end of the year, Morning Star needs to raise $154,000 to support all of the services we provide these moms on a daily basis. We must meet this goal to keep our three clinics in operation while facing an annual budget shortfall of $100,000 due to the defunding of Real Alternatives. Your support is essential to continue providing free Life-affirming services to moms, dads and families in our community.

Partner with Morning Star to be a voice for the unborn and save a mother from the heartache of abortion.

A gift of $410.70 will provide one initial pregnancy services appointment, which includes non-judgmental counseling, a medical grade pregnancy test, an ultrasound and STD testing. Or monthly support of $68.46 will provide two client visits for two women who want or are considering abortion.

A gift of $1,000 in honor of a loved one this Christmas season will help us reach our end-of-year goal of $154,000 to meet our operational budget.

A legacy gift of $5,000, $10,000 or more will help Morning Star reduce our budget shortfall due to the defunding of Real Alternatives, which supported families with baby supplies, counseling and educational classes.

It is a privilege to partner with you, day in and day out, loving these women as Jesus loves us. We thank you in advance for your compassion and generosity in supporting this ministry honoring Life.

*Name changed to protect confidentiality.

An Uber driver dropped them off. They rang our bell at 8:50 a.m., 40 minutes before we would see our first client of the day. Through the intercom, he said his girlfriend was pregnant and wanted an abortion. They were supposed to have been dropped off at Planned Parenthood, one mile down the road. The driver had left them here instead.

We invited them into our waiting room. She was very upset, holding her head in her hands and crying. Her boyfriend said again that she didn’t want the baby. That she wanted an abortion.

Our patient advocate sat with them in the empty waiting room and explained the services Morning Star could provide at no cost to them. The advocate said that we could give them information on all of their options and provide an ultrasound to date her pregnancy, verify that it was not an ectopic pregnancy and confirm that her pregnancy was viable. He wanted to take us up on our offer of free services, but his girlfriend kept insisting she wanted to leave. That she needed to keep her appointment at Planned Parenthood.

Our advocate offered them an opening for later that afternoon, after their appointment with Planned Parenthood. She didn’t want it but he did. We promised to keep the appointment open for them, just in case. Our staff watched them walk out the door, and then we prayed for them.

Just a couple of hours later, the couple walked through Morning Star’s doors a second time! He said they went to Planned Parenthood and it was dirty, cold and unfriendly. They kept comparing the environment to Morning Star, which was clean, warm and welcoming. They left Planned Parenthood before their appointment was complete to return to Morning Star.

They spoke with our patient advocate to get information on all of their options and discussed their situation. She was returning to college in another state and would not be back to Pennsylvania. They had a summer fling and the relationship was ending. Our sonographer provided her with an ultrasound, and both parents saw their baby—just seven weeks old. The sonographer went over the medical information and the risks of the chemical abortion pill.

As they wrapped up their appointment, he told their patient advocate he had made a decision: Although she didn’t want the baby, he did. After the couple discussed it, she agreed to continue the pregnancy. He will drive across several states to pick up his baby after it’s born and bring him or her back home to Pennsylvania. He has a job and will care for and raise his baby.

Morning Star will support him with baby supplies and clothing after his baby arrives. In addition, he can attend Morning Star’s Fatherhood Foundation parenting classes. Not only will he meet other dads in similar situations, creating bonds and a support group for himself, but he will also learn how to take care of his newborn, how to create a budget and save for their future, and how to be a role model for his child.

Thanks to YOU, we were able to provide this couple with free medical services, which included an ultrasound. He saw HIS baby—and HE chose Life!

YOUR donations provide the free medical and social services women and men need when they are facing unplanned pregnancies and are unsure of what to do. These services make a Life-saving difference. For some of our moms and dads, sitting down to talk with patient advocates in a non-judgmental atmosphere is the most helpful service. For others, what ensures a Life-giving decision is having an ultrasound to see that it’s a baby, not just “tissue.” And yet for others, the difference is knowing that, after their children are born, they’ll be supported with supplies and parenting classes—the assurance that they are not alone.

With YOUR support, WE are here for HER and for HIM.

It costs $410.70 to provide one client visit to a woman considering abortion. An initial client visit includes non-judgmental counseling with a patient advocate, information and education on all of her options, a medical-grade pregnancy test by medical personnel, an ultrasound by a registered diagnostic medical sonographer and STD testing and treatment by one of our staff nurses.

Your gift of $410.70 will provide one client visit to a woman that thinks abortion is her only option. You’re giving her the support and all the medical information she needs so she can make a truly informed decision. Or perhaps you are able to make a donation of $821.40, providing TWO client visits to TWO women considering abortion—women who don’t want ties to the fathers of their babies, who think they can’t afford it, or who think that they can’t do it alone because the baby’s father won’t support them.

Donate today to partner with Morning Star and stop the ultimate heartache of abortion that so many women and men experience. It takes all of us—the entire community— to form a circle of support around HER and HIM—empowering them to choose Life.

Celebrating a Harvest of Hope