L I F E L I N E S N E W S U P D A T E - S P R I N G 2 0 2 3 My favorite thing Maiomi does is smile when Italk to her. Mikhaela was 13-weeks pregnant and filled with uncertainty when she found PAC. Reeling with emotion following a visit to an abortion clinic, Mikhaela was looking for answers. “The abortion clinic was dark and depressing,” she says. Although she was with her mother, the abortion clinic didn’t feel right. And when she heard people praying outside of that clinic, she felt the nudge to re-think her decision. The prayers she had heard seemed to be calling out directly to her. Scared and confused, Mikhaela left the abortion clinic with her mother and walked over to PAC. Nancy, one of PAC’s client advocates, helped Mikhaela work through her concerns about managing an unexpected pregnancy, including concerns of disappointing her mother. PAC gave Mikhaela the opportunity to slow down, learn, discuss options and see the baby moving in the ultrasound exam - a life-saving moment! Baby Maiomi is now six months old. Mikhaela and her mom are in love with Maiomi and thank God for the gift of her life. Change ofHeart
Women in unexpected pregnancy situations need answers earlier in their pregnancy. We’ve added an early pregnancy test and early ultrasound option to allow clients time to process and assess their options. In the first quarter of 2023, PAC provided 320 ultrasounds, about 20% more than last year. The ultrasound exam remains a critical component of our service to clients, providing pregnancy validation while opening a window to the miracle of preborn life. Despite changes in Georgia law, three-quarters of women coming into our clinics so far in 2023 are vulnerable to abortion. We are seeing dozens of vulnerable women who are choosing life following their medical visit with PAC. Praise God, the law is a deterrent despite the continued availability of abortion. We walk with courageous parents who are in enormously difficult circumstances. With support from St. Vincent de Paul Georgia, Catholic Charities of Atlanta, and the Knights of Columbus inaugural ASAP (Aid and Support After Pregnancy) program, we are providing more support for families in need of essential services for a safe pregnancy and parenting environment. Thank you for your support during this historic time in the movement for LIFE! For Life, Post-Roe Partners for Life From the desk of Lisa Regan, PAC Executive Director Dear Friends, It’s hard to believe we are now one year into the post-Roe era. While the overturning of Roe paved the way for Georgia’s Life Act, restricting abortion past the time a fetal heartbeat is detected, there is still so much work to be done. Abortion clinics are alive and well, some collaborating with their affiliates in neighboring states where abortion is legal through the first trimester and beyond. At this writing, federal judges are debating the FDA’s approval of a chemical abortion drug. In a confusing and politicized world, our work on the frontlines is needed more than ever. Here’s what we’ve seen in the past year: Lisa Regan Executive Director Thanks to Catholic Charities of Atlanta and St. Vincent de Paul Georgia for providing case management to PAC clients in need of wrap-around services.
PATH, Post Abortion Treatment & Healing, offers confidential and compassionate support for women and men wounded by abortion. PATH’s programs are designed to meet the immediate needs of our clients, whether they have just recently had an abortion or had one many years ago. PATH offers one-on-one Mentorships, abortion recovery Bible Studies, Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats, and continued monthly support with Aftercare. Through the healing process, we become aware of how abortion and other problems experienced in life are connected, resulting in some mighty and positive changes. Some of the most exciting changes evidenced after healing are: Ifelt as ifI had been released from a prison ofisolation, shame and guilt. I experienced mercy and forgiveness more profoundly than ever before. -PATHClient Becoming useful, healthy, and whole in their own families, workplace, and communities without all the emotional baggage; Forgiving themselves, others, and even God; Continuing to develop a deeper relationship with God and returning to regular attendance and involvement at Church; and Becoming a sidewalk counselor or silently praying at abortion clinics; sharing their testimonies publicly; or returning to PATH as a volunteer facilitator to lead others to healing. PATH: IsHealing Possible After Abortion? By Liz Youngs, Program Director If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out confidentially to Liz at 404-717-5557. Take heart…He is calling YOU! For a person who experienced an abortion, healing seems impossible. Most feel they don’t have the right to heal because it was a choice they made or they have done the unforgiveable. Many have even left the church with the thought, “I know how set the Church is against abortion. I’d like to go back, but I can’t.” God is the relentless pursuer and continually calls to the one who carries the wounds of abortion to be reconciled with Him. It is only the Author of Life who ultimately has the power to heal this deep wound. The love of the Lord cannot be merited, deserved, earned or achieved – but only received with a broken and humble spirit and a grateful heart.
Life is Beautiful CasinoNight New PAC Board Member We thank God for the gift of the Order of Malta and yet another successful Casino Night this past month! The Knights, Dames, and Auxiliaries from the Order of Malta Federal Association - Atlanta Region, have raised over a million dollars for Pregnancy Aid Clinic over the last decade. Special thanks to Monsignor Edward Dillon for his support and guidance over the years. Archbishop Gregory John Hartmayer and Order of Malta chaplain, Monsignor Edward Dillon PAC Board Chair Deacon Gary Schantz, PAC Board Member Terry Hartman, PAC Director of Education Courtney Cook, PAC Board Member Christine Trovato, PAC Executive Director Lisa Regan, PAC Board Treasurer Tim Doyle, PAC Director of Operations Michele Griner-Griffie, and PAC Board Member Deacon Jim Wolf Gwynedd Valley, PA. She and her husband Bill have been married for 48 years. Together, they have two daughters and two grandchildren. Originally from the Philadelphia area, Terry has been an Atlanta resident for over 30 years and is an engaged member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Therese (Terry) Hartman joined the Pregnancy Aid Clinic board in April of this year. Terry has been engaged in PAC’s life-affirming mission as a 21-year member of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Federal Association, Atlanta region, which has generously supported the clinic for more than a decade. Terry also serves on the board of A Million Matters, an organization that evaluates and selects Atlanta-based not-for-profit recipients for grants, annually. She is a member of the Sandy Springs Society and the President’s Leadership Council for Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School, in Casino Night Committee: Margaret Grigorian, Jackie Bohling, Melanie Colley, Kim Schulman Matt and Colleen Witt
Christ Child Society Atlanta From an interview with Casey Long, founder and past president The partnership between Christ Child Society Atlanta (CCSA) and PAC is strong and has been around for the past 15 years. Their parent organization, National Christ Child Society (NCCS), established by Mary Virginia Merrick back in the late-19th century, has 45 chapters all over the country and was created to help and serve underprivileged children. CCSA, the Atlanta chapter commissioned back in 2004, was started by Casey Long and Anne Marie Newman, out of their parish community at St. Jude the Apostle. Christ Child Society has strong Catholic roots and is the second oldest running Catholic Organization in the U.S., and although it has a Catholic beginning, CCS serves underprivileged children of all faiths. One of the largest programs offered by CCSA is that of making layettes for pregnancy resource centers in the metro area, and PAC is blessed to be the largest recipient of this program with deliveries to all three clinics every other month. Every PAC client that has a changed heart and decides to carry her baby and parent, receives a beautiful handmade layette containing a pack of diapers, onesies, sleepers, socks, a swaddler, 2 bibs, a hand-knitted cap, and a baby book. PAC is blessed with this beautiful partnership and could not survive without it. Our families are lucky to have the support of so many servants of God making newborn bundles that truly bring joy and a smile to so many. For the future, we hope to continue with the support of CCSA and in this new Dobbs era, possibly partner with them to help families in need in other tangible ways. Healthy Mom,Healthy Pregnancy What a grand celebration at PAC’s inaugural community baby shower held on Saturday, April 15th! PAC’s weeklong campaign to provide medical education and resources to promote maternal health culminated in a baby shower open to the community. Special thanks to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church for offering the facility and for all of our wonderful vendors who shared their resources to support pregnant moms.
John and Jennie Weldin Our journey to support the Pregnancy Aid Clinic started with a desire to leave a legacy rather than only provide short-term support. We decided to create an endowment through the Catholic Foundation of North Georgia in order to leave a legacy that would provide support in perpetuity to an organization that is important to both of us. While many focus on creating generational wealth for their family, our priority is generational philanthropy. We are not extremely wealthy people, but as Catholics we strive to be good stewards of our blessings. We saved over a couple of years to start the endowment. During that time, we discussed what organization we wanted the endowment to benefit. We married later in life, and while we remain open to life, we know that it is unlikely we will have any more biological children. We wanted the void of a biological legacy to be filled with this endowment. That plus our ardent support for life led us to the Pregnancy Aid Clinic. We know that the money we contribute each month will ultimately help make a difference in the lives of more children and families than we can begin to imagine. Shelly Stafford Communications Manager Yohanna Louis-Jacques Program Coordinator Roswell Mercedes Murray Clinic & Outreach Coordinator Andre White Program and Facility Manager Nia Santoyo Client Intake Specialist Forest Park Chris Barry Outreach Specialist Roswell Why We Give Leaving a Legacy PAC is expanding to help meetthe complex needs ofits clients. The Weldins Welcome new PAC staff members!
Thanks to the local parishes that hosted PAC Drive fundraisers: St. Thomas Aquinas in Alpharetta St. Thomas the Apostle in Smyrna St. Stephen the Martyr in Lilburn St Catherine of Siena in Kennesaw St. Jude the Apostle in Atlanta St. Mary Magdalene in Newnan St. Vincent De Paul in Dallas St. Joseph Maronite in Atlanta Holy Trinity in Peachtree City Holy Spirit in Atlanta The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Atlanta If you are interested in hosting a PAC drive, please go to: www.pregnancyaidclinic.com/plan-a-baby-bottle Much gratitude goes out to all the churches, schools and organizations that supported us by hosting baby supply drives: Blessed Trinity Catholic High School, St. Adelaide's Circle (All Saints Catholic Church), St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church, Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Good Shepherd Catholic Women's Council, St. Benedict Respect Life and Knights of Columbus #10633, St. John Vianney Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus Council 12580, Holy Spirit Prep School, St. George Catholic Church, American Heritage Girls troop 0593 Thanks to our recent supporters: Did you know that The Quest offers short reflections called Pro-Life Minutes? Quite literally 60 seconds, these powerful moments are served up as reminders that every life matters. Do you have a minute for God's message about the sanctity of life? Reflections can be found here: thequestatlanta.com/pro-life-minutes Listen to Thanks to our sponsors Thank you to St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church for hosting the Artsy Market and for donating a portion of the proceeds to PAC and PATH! Thank you to Blessed Trinity High School for hosting a diaper drive for PAC!
Operating from the Catholic belief in the sanctity of life, PAC compassionately delivers services and programs created to lift up women, men and families during moments of uncertainty or grief, through a journey designed to reveal their own dignity and claim their own future. Pregnancy Aid Clinic PO Box 92 Roswell, GA 30077 Upcoming Events May 3: Lunch & Learn - Domestic violence: the realities and available help June 1: PATH & PAC Virtual Rosary on ZOOM June 16-18: Rachel's Vineyard Retreat by PATH October 1: Save the Date for our annual Evening for Life at the Delta Flight Museum. OUR MISSION: