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
