The Game Has Changed: Reaching Women Post-Roe

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Your gift of $401.37—just $33.45 a month—helps Morning Star reach, educate and support one woman searching for abortion.

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Dear Morning Star Families,

There are times in our lives that we become more acutely aware of the spiritual battle that is taking place around us. Now is one of those times. In this post-Roe era, the reaction from our opposition has greatly intensified. We are faced with challenges that many of us never anticipated.

In April, our online business listing, Google My Business (GMB), removed Morning Star’s three clinic locations from their search engines. After weeks of our team trying to reinstate all of our locations, GMB slowly restored first our Middletown location and then our Harrisburg location. It wasn’t until September that our New Cumberland office was once again publicly listed. Even though our locations are now showing on GMB, we are still battling the description they have placed underneath Morning Star’s name—they are not allowing us to be categorized as a medical clinic.

Yelp has even resorted to labeling us as a fake clinic which may not have any licensed medical staff. Yelp has a consumer notice on pregnancy centers’ business profiles, including Morning Star’s:

Consumer Notice
This is a Crisis Pregnancy Center. Crisis Pregnancy Centers typically provide limited medical services and may not have licensed medical professionals onsite.

You can imagine our outrage: Morning Star is a medical clinic with licensed medical professionals. Our medical director, Dr. Mary Elizabeth Higgins, OB-GYN, oversees our medical staff. Our radiologists read our ultrasound scans, our registered diagnostic medical sonographers (RDMS) provide the ultrasound exams, and our nurses counsel and provide medical services, including STI testing and treatment. Yet we have no power to set the record straight with these big internet conglomerates!

Women desperately need the medical services that Morning Star provides—services they won’t get at Planned Parenthood or any abortion clinic. In Pennsylvania, there is no legal requirement for an ultrasound prior to an abortion. Currently, an ultrasound is the prerogative of the abortion provider.

However, the medical community and the FDA acknowledge that an ultrasound is necessary to accurately date a pregnancy, to diagnose viability and to identify the risk of ectopic pregnancy.

In August, Facebook removed Heartbeat International’s Abortion Pill Reversal Network account. Women did not have access to information on this powerful social media site about abortion pill reversal (APR), although this was later restored. Morning Star is part of the Heartbeat International APR Network. Women are referred to Morning Star when they have taken the first abortion pill and want to reverse the process and save their baby.

With the current political environment and the ever-changing algorithms of search engines, the game has changed for pregnancy centers. To just maintain the status quo we have to do more. That’s why we need YOUR help to continue to reach the women searching for abortion.

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DONATE NOW TO HELP REACH WOMEN SEARCHING FOR ABORTION!

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Google, Planned Parenthood and even some in our government are trying to cripple pregnancy centers across the country. Morning Star does not have the multi-million-dollar budget of Planned Parenthood to reach women facing unplanned pregnancies. In this environment, it is vital to reach them through a new, ambitious digital marketing strategy.With the expertise of an outside media agency, Morning Star’s social media initiative is reaching abortion-minded women, ages 18-24, through Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook. Our advertisements are appearing on their phones based on their website and app usage, their keyword searches, as well as their geographic location. And Morning Star ads are now appearing at the top of the search engine results pages.

In July, we kicked off this advertising strategy and are already seeing an uptick in our client statistics. Comparing the month of August 2022 to pre-COVID numbers in August 2019, Morning Star saw an increase of 42 new clients come through our doors and provided 25 more pregnancy tests to women who were considering an abortion!

This year, as of mid-September, we have seen 859 new clients—clients who have never been to Morning Star. By the end of the calendar year, our goal is to reach and support 365 more new clients, bringing us to our pre-COVID statistics. The cost to reach these clients and provide them with Life-affirming services is $146,500.

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YOUR gift of $401.37 will help us support one new client through our new marketing initiative and provide her with options counseling, an ultrasound, STI testing, baby supplies and educational classes.

Perhaps this fall, you can help us reach two new clients with a donation of $802.74. Or maybe you can partner with us to reach three new clients with a donation of $1,204.11.

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Last year, thanks to YOUR support, 523 moms chose Life for their babies. This year, as of September 30, 451 women have chosen Life. Help us to reach, educate and support women searching for abortion—to save even more hearts and lives in 2022.

God bless you for your unwavering support of Life.

31,018.

That is the number of babies’ lives lost to abortion in Pennsylvania in 2019.*

In our community, that is 2,007 babies lost to abortion in 2019.

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Changed hearts and changed minds…

 

When “Lizzie” and “Anthony” entered Morning Star’s doors, they had already made the decision that if the ultrasound confirmed Lizzie was ten weeks pregnant or less, she would use the abortion pill (RU-486) to end her pregnancy.

After checking in at the reception area, Lizzie and Anthony were brought into a counseling room to talk with a patient advocate about their situation.  They were very upfront with their Morning Star counselor and said the decision was already made—Lizzie would take the abortion pill if she was ten weeks pregnant or less.  If she was further along in her pregnancy and it was too late to take the abortion pill, they were not sure what they were going to do. 

Our counselor educated the couple about chemical abortion and the possible risks and complications for Lizzie.  She asked if they had any family support, how their relationship was going under the stress of an unplanned pregnancy, and what obstacles they were facing that might keep them from continuing with the pregnancy. She then opened the discussion to other options, including parenting and adoption. 

After wrapping up their counseling session, Lizzie and Anthony went into the examination room for their ultrasound.  The young couple repeated their intent yet again: If the baby was ten weeks or less, they were having an abortion. 

When Lizzie and Anthony saw their baby’s beating heart, their faces changed. As Morning Star’s sonographer explained the development of their baby and pointed out his little arms and legs, the baby began to move. The ultrasound revealed that the baby was seven weeks old. Lizzie was shocked to see the little life growing inside her. Even though the baby was less than ten weeks old, Anthony and Lizzie agreed that they could not proceed with an abortion. At that moment, they chose LIFE for their baby.

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As Morning Star is approaching our 50^th anniversary, we have established deep roots in our community. We have built relationships with our mothers and fathers, and we know how vital it is to provide programs and services so that couples like Lizzie and Anthony will choose Life.

Each day, with YOUR support, Morning Star provides:

• Confidential Counseling
• Pregnancy Testing
• Ultrasound Examinations
• STI Testing and Treatment
• Pregnancy Education
• Fatherhood Program
• Relationship and Sexual Health Education
• Parenting Education Classes
• Baby Clothing and Supplies
• Post Abortion Recovery Classes

As we’ve proven over the years, our doors always remain open and we continue to see an increase in the number of clients we serve.  In fact, looking at our client history, we anticipate seeing at least 224 new clients this holiday season.  By the end of this year, Morning Star will have supported over 1,450 individuals—a 20% increase from 2020!  It costs Morning Star $447.49 to provide a new mom like Lizzie with Life-affirming services and programs.  In order to support these 224 moms and dads we have to reach a goal of $100,237.76 by the end of this year.

This Christmas you can support individuals and couples like Lizzie and Anthony with a one-time gift of $447.49 or you can become a Circle of Friends supporter with a monthly gift of $37.29.  Your donation will give the support they need to choose Life, helping reduce the lives lost to abortion in South Central PA.

At Morning Star we see our open doors touch lives and hearts.  We see women and men in the midst of crisis experience joy and gratitude after choosing Life.  And here, we see the incredible power of Jesus Christ to actually change lives.

YOU are a part of their story.  YOUR gift makes that choice possible.

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^{*PA Dept of Health’s 2019 Abortion Statistics Report}

#GivingTuesday is November 30!

 

Your gift provides the health services and programs a mom needs to choose Life.  By partnering with Morning Star on #GivingTuesday, you can help us reach our goal of $13,424.70 to support 30 of the 224 new moms we anticipate seeing this holiday season!

What better gift is there this holiday season than the Gift of Life? #GiveHope.

The stories below show how YOU help Morning Star support the moms who come through our doors. So they are not overwhelmed. So they do not feel alone. So they know there are resources and services to help them find a way to have their babies… to make a choice for Life.

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“Natalie” is pregnant. She is dealing with severe anxiety and panic attacks. She is in a domestic-violence situation with the father of her baby. She is dependent on her boyfriend because she can’t hold onto a steady job due to other mental illnesses.

Natalie feels alone. She sees no way out of her situation and feels she cannot have her baby.

Natalie came to Morning Star and received a confidential counseling appointment. Our patient advocate immediately identified and discussed the obstacles Natalie faced that prevented her from having her baby. Our counselor was able to provide referrals for both domestic violence and mental health counseling, alternative housing options, and techniques to help with her anxiety.

The counselor discussed the development of her baby as her pregnancy progressed and the option of adoption, as well as parenting. Morning Star counselors continued to check in with Natalie to make sure she was safe and to provide additional counseling. After several weeks of talking with our counselors, Natalie took advantage of the additional community resources she needed to help with the mental challenges she faced and her abusive living situation.

Finding the help she needed, Natalie felt she was #NotAlone…and chose Life for her baby.

Together, we can make sure moms like Natalie are not alone. Your gift will provide her with the health services and programs she needs to choose Life.

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“Rene” is in her twenties. She has two young children from two previous relationships. Both fathers are in jail. She has minimal family support. Rene is now facing another unplanned pregnancy with a different man. Rene is strongly considering abortion. Her relationship with the father of the baby is non-existent. She feels she can’t parent three young children by herself. She doesn’t think she can afford three kids.

Rene is overwhelmed and she feels alone.

After discussing her situation with a Morning Star counselor, Rene was taken into the ultrasound and examination room. As she lay quietly on the table and looked at the image of her baby on the screen, our sonographer explained the development that had already taken place. Rene was 12 weeks pregnant and her baby’s fingerprints had begun to form, the baby was “practicing” breathing and facial expressions, and he was able to swallow and feel and respond to skin stimulation.

Rene returned to the counseling room and told her counselor that seeing her baby “completely changed her mind 100%.” Rene was #NotAlone…and she chose Life!

Your support provides the ultrasounds that change the minds and save the hearts of so many moms like Rene.

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“Missy” faces an unplanned pregnancy as a teenager. Her parents kicked her out of their house and she is living with a friend. Even if she keeps her baby, she has no idea how to care for one. She feels her best option is to have an abortion.

Missy feels alone.

Missy came to Morning Star for a medical pregnancy services appointment. Morning Star confirmed her pregnancy, gave her an STI test, and provided her with an ultrasound. Missy expressed her fears that she had no idea how to care for a baby. Morning Star counselors educated Missy on her pregnancy and offered parenting education classes.

Missy attended our Safe Sleep Class to learn how to safely put her baby to sleep. During the class, another mom shared that she had lost a child to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). She urged all of the moms to listen and learn from the class. Missy was grateful for the education and received a brand new Pack ‘n Play so she had a safe place for her baby to sleep. The class also gave her an opportunity to bond with the other moms as they shared stories of parenting.

Missy was supported throughout her pregnancy with the education she desperately needed. Missy felt she was #NotAlone and could parent her baby…and Missy chose Life!

Your gift ensures moms like Missy are #NotAlone.

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“Trish” has a two-year-old. She has no family to speak of. She is living with the father of the baby. It is an abusive relationship. She worries that she won’t be able to clothe and feed her child if she leaves.

Trish feels scared and alone.

Trish first came to Morning Star because she faced an unplanned pregnancy and was considering abortion. She received Morning Star’s medical and counseling services at that time, and ultimately chose Life for her baby.

During those appointments, Trish received agency referrals for domestic abuse situations. She also learned that Morning Star provided materials assistance to parents in need, including baby clothing, blankets, and supplies like formula, diapers, shampoo and baby wash. When Trish decided to take the next step and remove herself and her baby from the abusive situation, she knew which agencies to reach out to.

And, even though it was over two years since she had been to Morning Star, Trish knew she could come for the baby clothing and supplies she would desperately need. Trish felt she was #NotAlone. She and her child would be OK.

Trish chose Life with your support. And with your help again, Trish and her baby were supported with materials assistance as she moved forward to create a better life for herself and her baby.

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“Dana” just began her career. She’s been dating “Alex” for a little over a year. They live separately and they both have big career dreams. Dana is pregnant and the only thing Alex will tell her is, “I support you in whatever you decide.”

Dana thinks she can’t have this baby on her own and she will have to sacrifice her career dreams.

Dana feels alone.

Dana and Alex came to Morning Star for a medical pregnancy services appointment. While Dana was speaking with a counselor, Steve, Morning Star’s Nurse Clinic Manager and head of the Fatherhood Program, sat down separately to talk with Alex.

They discussed Alex’s career and his goals in life, finances, how a baby would impact those things, and his relationship with Dana. As the discussion progressed, Alex said he would rather Dana have the baby, but he didn’t know what to do for her and ultimately it was her choice. Steve explained how crucial it was for Dana to know Alex supports her in having their child. He gave Alex specific strategies on how to support Dana both physically and emotionally, and encouraged Alex to talk with Dana so she wouldn’t feel alone in this decision.

After speaking with Steve, Alex sat with Dana and told her that he would support her in having their baby—she didn’t have to do it by herself, they would figure it out together. Dana felt relieved and felt she was #NotAlone. Dana chose Life for their baby!

Your support provides the programs Dana and Alex need to empower them to choose Life.

 

 

One day, I’ll have an abortion.

That’s not a thought that any young girl has, but for nearly one in four, it’s a heartbreaking reality: According to the Guttmacher Institute, the research arm of abortion-rights activists, 23.7% of women will have an abortion by age 45.

And no young woman, after walking out of an abortion clinic, thinks she’ll have another abortion. But 50% of them do.

Broken relationships run deep with women who have experienced abortion. Time and time again, we can trace the “choice” to have an abortion back to childhood relationships within the family. That was certainly the case for Lilly.

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Lilly had two abortions when she was a teenager in boarding school. Lilly felt that her mother never really wanted her. She never knew her father. Her mother told her that she wanted Lilly because she thought it would make her then-current partner stay. Lilly later learned that her father had gone to jail before she was even born. She desperately wanted to be loved for the beautiful, kind young woman that she was, and when a young man at her boarding school began to pay attention to her, she thought she had found true love.

Soon after the relationship began, Lilly found out that she was pregnant. She faced tremendous pressure from all sides – and mostly from her mother – to end the pregnancy quickly. Lilly was heartbroken and felt abandoned by her family. Not long after, with a wounded heart, Lilly sought love, comfort, and security in another relationship and became pregnant again. She hid this pregnancy for as long as possible because she didn’t want another abortion. When her mother found out, she urged Lilly to end this pregnancy too. The threat that she would have to leave school and that her mother would not support her brought her to the breaking point and she yet again had an abortion.

Now 34 years old, Lilly continues to struggle with her abortions. She has since had two children that she loves dearly, but she longs for the two she aborted. She has been in counseling for many, many years and talks to friends about her abortions frequently, but Lilly has never been able to fully heal. Her pastor suggested she reach out to Morning Star for help.

Now, after joining a support group through Morning Star’s HEART program, Lilly finally has hope that she will find the forgiveness and peace that she has been searching for for so long.

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One day, I’ll have an abortion.

That statement is true for far too many women. But for the 1200+ women, men, and teens who come to our clinics, it doesn’t have to be. Morning Star’s programs and services help young people heal the broken relationships that lead to abortion and ultimately make a different choice – the choice for Life.

On average, it costs Morning Star $447.49 to provide one individual in our community with Life-affirming services. Through a variety of programs, Morning Star promotes sexual integrity, offers material and health services, and encourages emotional wholeness.

HEART PROGRAM

For a woman like Lilly struggling with the trauma of a past abortion, your gift will provide recovery and healing through Morning Star’s HEART program, which includes individual meetings with trained staff, support groups and scripture-based retreats.

STI TESTING & TREATMENT

For a teenager worried about a sexually-transmitted infection, your gift will provide free STI testing and treatment, as well as help to form healthy relationships that affirm her self-worth and avoid the risky behaviors that lead to abortion.

FATHERHOOD PROGRAM

For a new dad in Morning Star’s Fatherhood Program, your gift will provide resources and help to enable him to support the mother of his child in her pregnancy and to be a positive presence in his child’s life.

COUNSELING & MEDICAL SERVICES

For a new mom considering abortion, your gift will provide the counseling and medical services that empower her to make a choice for Life.

EDUCATION

And through our Live Connected and Feminine Genius classes, she’ll receive education and tools to provide a nurturing and supportive environment for her family, and break the cycle of abortion for the next generation.

CLICK HERE to donate now.

Thank you for believing that every life counts, that every mother’s heart is worth fighting for, and that through God’s grace Morning Star will continue to have a tremendous impact in our community, one life at a time.

God bless you for making a difference in the lives of so many women like Lilly!