WINTER 2017 2018 MORE THAN A PATIENT During our 2017 Fall Banquet, several former clients shared their stories of receiving medical care, decision making help, and ongoing encouragement during an unplanned pregnancy. Kisha shared her story of how visiting the Center changed her life, and the life of her son. Excerpts from her Banquet remarks are below. When I initially discovered I was pregnant, a rainbow of emotions dashed through me. I was in a new state far away from home. I was single and three weeks prior, my son s father had just shared that he was interested in getting back with his exgirlfriend and going through pre-marital counseling with her. Needless to say, I was lost! When I shared the news of my pregnancy with the dad, he began his crusade to convince me to visit Planned Parenthood to release him from his responsibilities of an unwanted pregnancy. Abortion is the only way for us. Abortion just makes the most sense right now he stated. I called Planned Parenthood, and they provided me with an appointment three weeks away. How was I supposed to LIVE with so many unanswered questions for the next three weeks? I discovered the Center after a Google search and was shocked to receive a phone call with a next day appointment. I didn't know what to expect from the staff would they be understanding or would they look at me as just another statistic? I can recall walking in for my appointment to confirm my pregnancy, feeling like a bundle of nerves. I, at one point, was visibly trembling. I just wanted to discover how far along I was to plan for my impending abortion. Without visiting the Center, we would not have the joy of having Kingsley in our lives, and I would have gone through with my abortion. Kisha During my appointment, something changed. I d like to believe it was the culmination of having a counselor in front of me actually hear me (hearing the spoken and unspoken words of my heart), a warm-hearted physician treat me as though I am a dear friend of the family and not just patient number 7 of the day, and the visual of my baby's heart beating. On that day, I was more than a patient, I was a person that was being cared for by the entire staff at the Center. The Center gave me not only hope, but the reassuring strength that I would not be alone through this process. The staff prayed with and for me! To me, that made the world of a difference. As a woman of great faith, when we sin, we often like to hide from God out of fear or shame. But I can only believe that my appointment on that day was divinely appointed. There was no judgement or condemnation for having a child outside of marriage, but an encouragement to value the life of my baby by choosing not to have the abortion. My son s father and I will forever be grateful to the staff at the Center for more than they could ever know. Without visiting the Center, we would not have the joy of having Kingsley in our lives, and I would have gone through with my abortion. The Center is much more than a resource for the community. The Center is a necessary staple for all who are confused, lost and without hope. I would encourage all friends to come into the Center with an open heart and mind and be ready to leave feeling empowered!
DIRECTOR S NOTE Dear Friends, This fall included our busiest months of service on record in our twentyseven years as an organization! As we see more clients than ever before, one thing remains constant: our clients desire for a safe haven in the midst of pregnancy decisions. While demand for our services grows, our Center also faces coordinated attacks by pro-abortion organizations intent on discrediting our life-saving work. The so-called Expose Fake Clinics campaign occurred for a second time this fall, with activists accusing pregnancy medical centers like Assist of denying real care to women since we do not provide abortion. Yet, in the dozens of calls we receive weekly, we hear that women value the holistic care we offer real care concerned with a woman s well-being beyond just a medical procedure. Protests come and go, but the true measure of our impact is seen in the transformed lives of women like Kisha (story on page one). Our prayer is that women and men will continue to see through the lies of the abortion industry and find real help here. Because we recognize the urgent priority of expanding same day appointment availability at the Center, we re preparing to add an additional day of operational hours in early 2018, opening on Fridays for the first time in our history as a medical clinic. No other pregnancy medical center is open on Fridays in Northern Virginia, leaving abortion providers as the only option for women making pregnancy decisions as they head into the weekend. This must change. Adding service hours is a major undertaking involving securing additional staff, volunteers, and ongoing financial support. Many of you responded to our invitation to partner with us in this expansion by becoming new monthly donors at our Fall Banquet. We praise God for your generous support! Perhaps you ve not yet become a consistent financial partner with this ministry, or perhaps God is calling you to serve in new ways as a volunteer or a staff member. I invite you to learn more about our current job openings and volunteer opportunities on our website, www.assistpartners.org. For His glory! Leanna Baumer Executive Director HELP US PREPARE TO ADD OUR FIFTH DAY OF SERVICES, TO IMPACT AND SAVE MORE LIVES! PARTNER WITH US IN: Praying: Sign up to receive our monthly eprayer alerts by visiting http://assistpartners.org/connect/pray/. Email director@assistcpc.org to receive information about a special prayer gathering in advance of our Friday opening in 2018! Volunteering: Attend our monthly Volunteer Interest Meeting from 1-2 PM on Wednesday, January 3rd, or Wednesday, February 7th at the Center to learn about ways you can serve! Current volunteer needs include cleaning team members, building maintenance help, and daytime male and female client mentors. Email volunteer@assistcpc.org to RSVP or visit: http://assistpartners.org/volunteer/opportunities/ Giving: Commit as a new monthly financial partner to support and sustain the expansion of medical services, one-on-one mentoring support, and educational programs for at-risk women and men! Your monthly support gives the ministry a firm foundation and certainty as we seek to serve more individuals in our community. Become a monthly partner online (http://assistpartners.org/give/) or via the enclosed envelope. WHAT CLIENTS ARE SAYING... Such an AMAZING PLACE with genuine people, I had a great experience that I will never forget. The staff was great, I felt comfortable and at home. Most importantly I was treated with respect and I left the office with dignity. Walking out I can honestly say I didn't feel as broken as I was when I walked in. - Google Review by MC
2017 FALL BANQUET HIGHLIGHTS On September 26, 2017 over 475 like-minded individuals gathered to celebrate the gift of life with Assist Pregnancy Center at our Fall Fundraising Banquet. It was an evening full of faith, hope, love, and life as guests heard keynote speaker Emily Colson share her story of life with Max, her son with autism. Through Emily s message, she reminded us that every life is precious because [we] bear the mark of our Creator. God places value in every life, and he is calling us as his church to affirm that value. Thanks to our guests, Assist Pregnancy Center is able to continue heeding the call to protect and affirm life. Together, we raised over $215,000 and gained 73 new monthly donors to help fund and expand our free medical, mentoring, and educational resources for women and men vulnerable to abortion. We are praising God for his provision for life through each of YOU! Thank you for being faithful supporters, volunteers, and friends of the ministry. It is through your partnership that we are able to bring the light of Christ to those in a dark and troubled world. We affirm the value of life when we show a woman her baby on an ultrasound. We affirm the value of life when we provide parenting classes and clothes for a baby and a couple sees hope. We affirm the value of life when we sit beside a woman who is suffering from the trauma of a past abortion, and she knows she is loved. -Emily Colson Annual Fundraising Banquet Thank you to Passport Auto and a group of special anonymous donors who formed a Matching Gift fund to match all new monthly donations at this year s Banquet. We met our match and recruited 73 new monthly partners! Thanks to Terry Wingfield Photography and Koryn Hutchison Photography for event photos!
TABLE HOST SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW WITH PASTOR DONALD C. HAYES OF OAKLAND BAPTIST CHURCH IN ALEXANDRIA 1. How did you hear about Assist Pregnancy Center? We were looking to assist an adoption agency in Maryland when they told us about an organization closer to our worship center. 2. What drew you to the ministry? Life. The ministry is about that which we know through Scripture that God holds dear to His heart. 3. As a pastor, what most excites you about the ministry of Assist? Your willingness to be bold enough to stand on the word of God for your support and the Gospel as the real need of the people you assist. 4. What was your favorite part about being a Table Host at our 2017 Fundraising Banquet? Being able to introduce others to a ministry that we really believe God is using to transform the Northern Virginia area one family at a time. 5. Do you have a favorite moment from the Banquet? If yes, what was it and why? It was listening to the story of Emily Colson s son Max. My heart was with her as I tried to imagine the challenges I know she had to overcome and how she turned them into an opportunity to be a witness of the amazing grace of God. Pastor Hayes prays during the Banquet program (top) and gathers with family and guests (bottom). ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS MCLEAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HOSTS CAR SEAT COLLECTION McLean Presbyterian Church hosted a supply drive this summer for expectant parents working through Assist s ongoing education program. Families at McLean Presbyterian Church donated over 25 car seats and 15 pack n plays during the collection event! Project coordinator Heather Etner, a faithful Assist volunteer, shared that she supports Assist in particular because they do a great job of being sensitive to abortion-vulnerable women. Thanks to the many volunteers who helped us transport and unload these gifts! Interested in coordinating a project at your church? Current supply needs to equip new parents include baby shampoo, lotion, and diaper rash ointment, diapers, diaper bags, and rattles. Contact outreach@assistcpc.org to learn more about hosting a baby shower or supply drive with your church!
2018 BABY BOTTLE BOOMERANG Partner with Assist by hosting a Baby Bottle Boomerang fundraising campaign at your church or school in 2018! Distribute empty baby bottles (provided by Assist),ask participants to fill their baby bottle with loose change, and collect the filled bottles for the Center at the conclusion of your campaign. Every penny donated makes a big difference for LIFE. Contact Megan at outreach@assistcpc.org to learn more. ASSIST PREGNANCY CENTER 5101-D Backlick Road Annandale, VA 22003 Office: 703-354-7291 outreach@assistcpc.org www.assistpartners.org www.facebook.com/assistpc Medical and Mentoring Services METRO WOMEN S CARE 5101-D Backlick Road Annandale, VA 22003 Did you know that you can help Assist earn donations every time you shop at Amazon? It s easy and costs you nothing! Simply select Assist Pregnancy Center as your preferred Amazon Smile charitable organization when you log in at www.smile.amazon.com. Our special Amazon Smile link is: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/54-1540093. Support life during all your Christmas shopping! Appointments: 703-354-7272 office@metrowomensva.com www.metrowomensva.com www.facebook.com/metrowomensva MISSION Assist exists to promote life through Christ to those vulnerable to abortion. Assist is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID MERRIFIELD, VA PERMIT NO. 6020 5101-D Backlick Road Annandale, VA 22003 Address Service Requested Celebrate Sanctity of Human Life Sunday on January 21, 2018! SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE SUNDAY 2018 SAVE THE DATE JANUARY 21, 2018 How will your church commemorate Sanctity of Human Life Sunday in 2018? Let Assist support you with resources so your congregation can uphold the value of every single human life, and share the hope of the Gospel with those considering or impacted by abortion. Assist offers bulletin inserts, slides, sermon resources, ministry representatives to speak at your church or ministry group, and informational table supplies. To schedule a speaker for anytime in January or to request resources, please contact Megan at outreach@assistcpc.org or 703-354-7291. KNOW THAT THE LORD, HE IS GOD! IT IS HE WHO MADE US, AND WE ARE HIS. PSALM 100:3 RECOGNIZING THE Sanctity of human life BEGINS WITH VALUING LIFE IN THE WOMB. Mark your calendars for our family favorite Walk Run Ride for Life happening Saturday, April 21st on the Washington & Old Dominion Trail in Vienna! Plan for your entire family to participate in our annual 5K and bike event as we raise funds, earn prizes, and celebrate life at this special event. Details: http://assistpartners.org/ev ents/walk-run-ride-for-life/