Pro Life Groups

The mission of 'Embrace' is to change the mindset of society on abortion by media advertising. Their first large billboard was put up on North Road, Ormond (corner of Koornang Road), Melbourne, in September 2010. It points to www.embrace.org.

On the practical side they aim to gather and mobilise the women of the church to come alongside women who find themselves unexpectedly pregnant and journey with them to see their pregnancies fulfilled. Embrace currently has 15 women in the Bayside suburbs of Melbourne trained to be 'Embrace friends' to a pregnant woman in crisis.

They will be increasing their media advertising as time goes on and so it is their long-term goal to build a network of churches and friends across Melbourne and beyond who are willing to embrace pregnant women into their care.

The Embrace website aims to inspire hope for pregnant women in crisis and connect these women with an encouraging friend. Most importantly the website seeks to redefine the way society thinks about crisis pregnancy and abortion, with positive messages about choice, value and courage. Also on the website are inspirational testimonies of women who have fulfilled their pregnancies in spite of the obstacles. And ultimately, the website points to God and His Word as being the real source of hope.

Open Doors Counselling provides both face-to-face and telephone counselling for those facing an unplanned pregnancy and also for those experiencing pregnancy loss -  including post-abortion grief.
 
Monday 9.30am – 8pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9.30am – 3pm

Pregnancy Counselling & Support
• Free pregnancy tests
• Non-directive counselling to explore all options
• Abortion information
• Adoption referral
• Emotional and practical support during and after pregnancy

Pregnancy Loss Counselling
Grief associated with:
• Abortion
• Miscarriage
• IVF losses
• Termination for foetal abnormality/reduction
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Stillbirth

Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats
This residential retreat program is specifically designed to bring both spiritual and emotional healing to anyone struggling after an abortion decision.  It caters for women, men, couples, grandparents and for anyone affected by the loss of a baby through abortion. 

For information contact:
OPEN DOORS COUNSELLING
5 Greenwood Ave, Ringwood, 3134.
Ph: (03) 9870 7044
Freecall outside Melbourne 1800 647 995
Email: info@opendoors.com.au

All counselling at Open Doors is confidential.

John and Janine Grant of Auckland have started a group which provides practical help and support to women who are pregnant and looking at their options. Their group is called 0800UCHOOSE which doubles as their (New Zealand) phone number.

0800UCHOOSE are a Christian couple who offer support and love to help women thinking about abortion or adoption. They have a very strong passion for families, especially young women struggling with doubt, worry and impending motherhood. Whether this is in the form of hands on care of mother and/or baby or in other ways. They are raising 8 children of their own ranging from 4 up to 21 years, three of whom no longer live at home and one who has become part of the family.

On their website they say “You might say this site is pro-life and yes, we are for life - your life. I’ve sat with girls as they have cried after they’ve had an abortion and heard their pain. We’d like to spare you that pain if we can. If with our help you can get to the end of your pregnancy then you’ll be able to make a decision you can live with.” 

Brave Foundation is a Tasmanian-based, nationwide organisation that supports women facing unexpected and teenage pregnancy. They seek to provide the necessary support and guidance to ensure that unexpected pregnancy is not a life-ending or education-less predicament. They aim to see that these women have access to community support and educational services, from early pregnancy through their child’s early childhood.

Brave Foundation has been established by Bernadette Black, author of ‘Brave Little Bear’. Bernadette hopes to use her experience as a teenage mother, to bring hope and encouragement to others in this situation. She is a mother of three, a Registered Nurse, speaks throughout Australia, and was awarded ‘Bernardos Australian Women of the Year’ in 2009.

 The Babes Project exists to support women facing an unplanned or crisis pregnancy, promoting adoption as a positive alternative to abortion

They are working to build The Babes Project House, a place where a woman can come, be educated during her pregnancy and supported though the process of choosing adoption or parenting. This will include offering options counselling and an education program.

They are aiming to educate the nation on the facts of abortion and the negative impact an abortion can have on an individual and family.

The Babes Project believes in promoting adoption as a positive option and working to change adoption attitudes and legislation in our nation. They will make it a more viable alternative to abortion.

Genesis is a pregnancy support service operating in Adelaide, SA.

Genesis provides assistance in the form of free pregnancy testing, telephone and face to face options counselling, grief and post abortion counselling. They offer confidential, caring, non-judgmental counselling through a dedicated team of trained volunteers.  These services are provided free of charge.

‘In-Sight’.   Their ‘In-Sight’ campaign is raising $50 000 for a portable ultra sound machine, that will enable them to offer free imaging.
 
‘ReBorn”.  This is a new second hand baby clothes shop that Genesis have recently opened to meet the needs of those women who are not totally unsupported, but who are still struggling financially.  They offer great quality clothing, books and toys at very cheap prices.  They are now open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 2 pm.

‘Material Assistance’.  Genesis also receives donations of baby goods (equipment, new baby clothes, nappies, wet wipes, blankets, etc) to pass on to people in need through the material assistance area.   Specific items needed right now for expecting Mums: Prams, Cots, Cot Sheets / Blankets, Change Tables, Bouncers, Disposable Nappies, and Baby Wipes.

‘Mummylink’ . Genesis also runs a number of educational programs including a Young Mum’s friendship and support group ‘Mummylink’.  This group provides a safe and friendly place for young mums to come together, connect with each other and find support in what can be such a challenging time in their lives.

‘Butterfly Wings’.  Genesis have acquired the license to run this valuable and effective Child Parent Program here in SA specifically to encourage positive interaction and nurturing between mother and baby.  They believe this profoundly stimulates young brains and forms the foundation of each child’s development through the love and security that parents can provide.  The program will be run in conjunction with Mummylink and held at alternate meetings. 

To find out more about Genesis, or to donate or volunteer, email genesispregnancysupport@msn.com or ring 08 8376 4100.