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Local Pregnancy
Center Based Support Groups
Many Pregnancy Resource Centers (PRCs) and Crisis Pregnancy Centers
(CPCs) host post-abortion support groups. These groups typically meet weekly
for a period of anywhere from 8 to 16 weeks, and use a variety of recovery
guides, including "Forgiven and Set Free", "Her Choice to Heal",
PACE (Post-Abortion Counseling and Education), the Rachel's
Vineyard weekly support model, or the "My Guilt, Grief and Shame are Ending
Soon" program.
How would you find out if a PRC or CPC near you offers a post-abortion
support group? The best way to do that is to call the Option Line at
1-800-712-HELP or consult their online directory at
www.optionline.org/.
You can do a zip code search of their extensive database.
The National Office of Post-Abortion Reconciliation and Healing
(NOPARH)
www.marquette.edu/rachel and Project Rachel at
www.hopeafterabortion.com
NOPARH has a national toll-free hotline at 1-800-5WE-CARE.
Project Rachel is a post-abortion outreach of the Catholic Church, while
NOPARH is intended as a non-denominational referral source for post-abortion
help. Project Rachel was founded in 1984 by Vicki Thorn, who is the director
of NOPARH. NOPARH has hosted several international conferences on
post-abortion reconciliation and Vicki Thorn offers one-day trainings.
Catholic dioceses that have their own Project Rachel can also be a source
for local referrals. By calling the national office at 1-800-5WE-CARE, you
will generally be referred to the local Project Rachel office nearest to
you. That office can then refer you to helpful and trained clergy,
therapists, retreats and support groups. |
Healing Hearts Ministries International
www.healinghearts.org/.
This international ministry was founded in the state of Washington and has
grown to include in-person support groups in a number of other states. In
addition to in-person support groups, Healing Hearts offers an online
program. |
Ramah International
www.ramahinternational.org.
Sydna Masse, Director; phone (941) 473-2188.
This Christian group supports post-abortion ministry through training
programs, resources, research and promoting awareness of post-abortion
issues. Director Sydna Masse is the author of the recovery book, "Her Choice
to Heal". Sydna has also created a leader's guide so that "Her Choice to
Heal" can be used as the basis for in-person weekly recovery groups.
Ramah International has a newsletter, various additional resources, and can
be used as a point of referral to weekly recovery groups around the country.
You can also find e-mail support through the Ramah website. |
Rachel's Network
Contact Martha Shuping at
mshuping01@sprynet.com
Rachel Network is a group of professionals, clergy and peer counselors which
provides direct services to women who have had abortions as well as training
for counselors, clergy, and lay ministers. Rachel Network volunteers conduct
the Rachel's Vineyard weekend retreat and can train teams for new retreat
sites. They also offer the "Rachel Network Evening of Prayer for
Post-abortion Healing," a program that can be done with almost no expense
with only one volunteer. It takes place in an anonymous atmosphere in a
darkened church (Catholic and other denominations), and has been a great
source of healing, as a first step or as a stand alone program. |
Hope Alive
www.hopealiveusa.org/,
Hope Alive is a group counseling treatment program designed to heal those
afflicted with childhood traumas and pregnancy losses. The treatment program
consists of 30 group sessions, each two-to-three-hours. There are Hope Alive
group leaders in a growing number of states. |
Victims of Choice
www.victimsofchoice.com.
An informative and welcoming website. Elizabeth Verchio, Director, has
created "My Guilt, Grief and Shame are Ending Soon", a 10-session program
that is especially designed for one-on-one work between someone experiencing
emotional and spiritual wounds and a trained peer counselor. Victims of
Choice offers many resources for establishing abortion recovery centers,
including a 217-page Abortion Recovery Facilitator Guidebook. |
Jennifer O’Neill Ministries
www.JenniferONeill.com.
Jennifer has developed a video and workbook called "Life After Abortion"
that is designed to do with two or more people – you can order the set on
her website. And a new book titled "You’re Not Alone" was released January
2005 that captures many of the stories and experiences of women who have
participated in the National Silent No More Awareness Campaign gatherings.
Jennifer also shares a lot of her own story of pain and healing. She then
provides the reader with God’s word on each topic, to help you discover the
truth of God’s forgiveness that is available for you to receive. |
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