Dear friends – I promise to keep this brief.
Earlier this week there was a flurry of posts about a new website that the Federal Government launched. You may have heard of it? https://www.moms.gov/
The home page says this; “Addressing the needs of mothers and fathers who face difficult or unexpected pregnancies and ensuring the wellbeing of mothers and the health of American families.”
Who could argue with that? As you scroll down you will see a link to – wait for it – Pregnancy Centers, among several other resources. There are links to nutrition, pregnancy care, breastfeeding, fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs), IVF information, and more.
The section on Pregnancy Centers is what I wanted to highlight because, well, as you know, I am the Director of one such place so this definitely caught my attention. When you click on the link that says “Find Pregnancy Centers near you” it links you to Optionline optionline.org/center-locator?zip_code=
Optionline is a pregnancy help contact center, available 24/7 and part of Heartbeat International. Once there if you type in say, 98036, you can see Pregnancy Centers near that zip code and surprise!
We are there! I was so very pleased to see Next Step and the many other exceptional centers here in WA, many of whom I work with and speak with on a regular basis!
This new website was unexpected for sure but no less essential and welcome. Some commented on the controversial IVF Programs and information linked and expressed disappointment it was included. And I am not wholly in disagreement. However, I simply could not refrain from celebrating the fact that Next Step, and many other stellar pregnancy help clinics, are now, more than ever, at your fingertips. Those men and women and those families who are seeking care, resources, answers, and compassion, have yet another avenue to connect with us and thus families are cared for, pregnancy is celebrated, and lives are changed.
As the quote so aptly says, if you have knowledge, if you have information, if you have resources, that can better the livelihood of those around you, let them light their candles in it.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this new development. What do you think?
~ Heather M Vasquez, Executive Director
P.S. Save the Date!
The Next Step Pregnancy Services annual Gala is on Saturday September 19th at Holy Rosary in Edmonds! A beautiful evening is planned. We can’t wait to see you! Invitations will be in the mail and online mid July!
If you are a business and would li
ke to sponsor the event or if you would like to donate an item, dessert, or experience for the Auction please, reach out! heather@nextstepnw.com
