To the editor:

Several months ago, I wrote an editorial about the Minnesota department of health statistics on abortion and the latest legislative changes affecting life decisions. I indicated that women should be allowed to have all the information available to them about their baby in their uterus because then they could make good choices. I also stated that they do need support and that support is available. I have often heard the comment that people who believe in life only care about the baby, but that is not true. The pregnancy resource centers I know, care for the baby and the family long after the baby has been born.

This letter is about two pregnancy centers that provide this support. There are many more pregnancy centers in our area. First Choice pregnancy services in New Ulm is a Christian faith-based, 501 c 3 non-profit organization and since 2010, they have offered support and education to women and families facing unexpected pregnancy and parenting their child. All their services are free and confidential. They have ultrasound equipment to determine how far along a women’s pregnancy is. They offer a time for moms to converse about their concerns with other moms and they have a daddy boot camp for fathers taught by fathers. They also offer an earn and learn (earning “baby bucks”) program to give their families and staff up to date information regarding pregnancy and parenting. The baby bucks they earn can be used for material support such as clothing, diapers, baby wipes, blankets, formula and even car seats.

First choice had previously received a small portion of their budgeted funds from the positive alternatives to abortion grant, but that funding ended on 6/30/2023 due to changes in legislation. First Choice has an annual banquet each year to raise funds for their mission of life. To learn more, please contact the organization.

The other pregnancy resource center I would like to talk about is the Abria Pregnancy Center in Saint Paul. Abria provides pregnancy services including pregnancy tests, ultrasounds and STD tests at no cost to their clients. They also provide resources for continuing education, housing, medical assistance, childcare, job skills training, prenatal or other medical care and food and nutrition. A client advocate connects clients to resources and services to fulfill their needs and goals. A client can then decide to continue this program for further assistance or take group or individual classes to improve life skills, relationships, prenatal care and nutrition, infant and toddler care, job skills and parenting care. To personalize the program, a client advocate life coach is assigned to work one on one. Abria also has a earn and learn program to earn points toward their choice of material assistance.

Abria’s annual banquet “Together for Life Gala” celebrates the strength and beauty Abria sees in their clients who choose LIFE for their children. The evening raises funds to provide life-affirming medical and personal support services, material assistance, and resources for women and families facing unexpected pregnancies.

Since this current legislature ended the grant to positive alternatives to abortion, both organizations are in need of finances to support their mission for life. Please contact them to learn more about their needs.

Abria Pregnancy Resources

2200 University Avenue West

Suite 160

St. Paul, MN 55114

First Choice Pregnancy Services

1223 S. Broadway St.

P.O. Box 742

New Ulm, MN 56073

Thank you for your support for LIFE,

Katie Dauer

Sprinfield