Archives for July 2025

He knows our every path. He knew it before we even came into being. Our value has never up for debate  ~ for Him. The circumstances of our existence should never have been an argument for our claim to live.  

This brings me to the topic of the unfortunate circumstance of rape. A subject which this year’s Next Step Gala keynote speaker, Rebecca Kiessling, is intimately familiar with. I invite you to watch a very short clip of an interview Rebecca had with Lila Rose, President of Live Action, a global Pro-Life Advocacy Group. 

https://tinyurl.com/liveactionclip

The context of the 33 second clip is Rebecca answering a question put to her by Lila about when she understood the full story of her conception and birth. Conceived through rape, but an abortion ban without exceptions spared her life. It’s a powerful few seconds and I encourage you to find out more about this remarkable woman.
And a beautiful way to do that is to join us at our Gala this year where Rebecca will be sharing her haunting and inspiring story. 

The Gala this year will be on Saturday September 20th at Holy Rosary in Edmonds. Doors open at 5:30pm for a silent auction, drinks, appetizers, our signature NSPS Spritzer, a catered dinner, music, uplifting stories and of course – Rebecca’s stirring share. 

You can register and purchase tickets for this event, choose dinner, and tablemates by clicking the link below. Early Bird tickets until August 15th!

nssupport.org/gala2025

Gala 2025

I look forward to breaking bread with you and celebrating
God’s greatest gift – Life!
~ Heather Vasquez

2025 Gala invitations are in the mail and registration is open! Please join us on Saturday September 20th at the Holy Rosary Pastoral Center in Edmonds for a wonderful evening of friends, fellowship, tasty food, scrumptious desserts, our signature Next Step Spritzer, games, clinic highlights, and an inspiring keynote address by Rebecca Kiessling. It will be, no doubt, a night to remember!

Register, purchase tickets, choose delectable entrees and more at this link

2025 Gala Registration

“That we are all of the same intrinsic worth despite our variability — is a hell of an idea.” ~ Dr. Jordan Peterson

On Tuesday July 1st Senate Republicans passed President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” budget measure, including a provision to defund Planned Parenthood for a year, which pro-life advocates are lauding as a “major step” toward permanently defunding the abortion giant.” (Catholic News Agency Kate Quinones,07/01/2025)

I was, in fact, asked by a few sources what we [Next Step] thought about the bill in regards to the portion about Planned Parenthood.

Jor-El Godsey, President of Heartbeat International, had this to say. “This bill is not about restricting care; it’s about restoring true care. It takes Big Abortion’s heavy thumb off the scales and puts taxpayer dollars to work in places that supports both mother and child. And it’s a call to action for every community to step up, to come alongside, and to ensure that no woman ever feels that abortion is her only option.”

I’d say that is what Next Step thinks about the bill that will remove our tax dollars from Planned Parenthood.

“Pregnancy help is built on compassion, not commerce.”

Our mission is to offer free compassionate care and material goods to women and families before, during, and after pregnancy no matter the circumstances. No matter the circumstances bears repeating.

According to WhiteHouse.gov the bill does not cut Medicaid for those who legitimately rely on it (which would include many of our current clients). The bill does however “eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse.” I am no expert on this but I do know that the care we offer at Next Step Pregnancy Services is essential. And will become more so in the months ahead following this bill, though it still has to go back to the House for a final round of voting. 

Kristin Hawkins, President pf Students for Life, called this bill a “small but important victory”, noting that it “cuts an estimated $500 million from Planned Parenthood and abortion vendors,”.

This leads me to say once again – we offer care no matter the circumstances. Many people who may previously have utilized Planned Parenthood for “care” may be seeking other avenues. And that, my friends, is where we come in. 

Next Step Pregnancy Services, an unapologetically Pro-Life accredited clinic serving thousands of women and families between Seattle and Everett, is in a pivotal position to fill in the gap and be a place of welcome, compassion, and truth. 

The free services we offer – early diagnostic OB ultrasounds, pregnancy testing, STI testing and treatment, abortion pill REVERSAL, reproductive loss grief care, material goods, and soon, cycle charting support – are all essential services, backed by our life-affirming mission.
We stand ready as ever to defend, protect, and celebrate life – no matter the circumstances.

Next Step Pregnancy Services is 100% donor reliant. To be ready for what I know will be a continued rise in women and families coming to us I am asking for your support, your prayers, and your faith. Faith in our small but mighty clinic to continue to act with grace and empathy through service. 

For more on how you can support Next Step’s efforts please visit nssupport.org
Also – please make plans to join us for our annual Gala and Silent Auction Saturday September 20th at the Pastoral Center at Holy Rosary Edmonds. Invitations will be mailed out on July 15th! Be on the look out!