Next Step Supporters, Volunteers, and Staff
We’re excited to share that our organization has earned a 2022 Platinum Seal of Transparency with Candid! Now, you can support our work with trust and confidence by viewing our #NonprofitProfile: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/61-1590547
June 21st, 2022 – Another decision day for the United States Supreme Court has passed and there was not a judgement on the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. Since the far reaching decision made back in 1973 ruling abortion as a legal practice and thus the tragic termination of almost 63 million babies this is the first time the Court will rule on the constitutionality of a pre-viability abortion ban since Roe. It is that significant.
What does it mean to overturn Roe? Does it mean any and all abortions are now illegal? No, sadly that is not what it means. It does however mean that the decision to accept abortion as a legal act or not will reside with the leadership of each state and no longer be under Federal domain. This is a good thing. A wonderful thing. This will, no doubt about it, save countless lives. Both the babies who will live and the women who will not have to endure the ramifications of such a destructive decision. Of the 50 states in the U.S there are 26 that either already have laws in place that protect the unborn or they have a “trigger-ban” which is a “law designed to be “triggered” and take effect automatically or by quick state action if Roe no longer applies” (www.guttmacher.org/article/2021/10/26-updated04/19/2022). And still there are others that have historically demonstrated their desire to rethink the Roe decision and create greater protections for the unborn. And to date, there are at least 16 states that will fight tooth and nail to keep abortion legal and unrestricted.
That’s 42 states. What about the other 8? As of now 5 of those will most likely continue restrictions on abortion, possibly even a ban, and the last 3 could go either way. There is no clear majority for or against the protections of the unborn.
So where does that leave us? Well here in WA where Next Step Pregnancy Services is located abortion will continue to be a legal option for all who seek it. WA has historically been a pro-abortion state and it does not appear to change any time soon. To that end WA will become a “safety-net state” for abortion seekers. That’s where Next Step (and you!) are essential. There will be women here in WA or traveling to WA from other states who may not be 100% certain of what is best for them. They may be feeling pressured by their partner, family, or friends. They may feel even more anxiety over the significance of the changing laws. A staggering 64% of women feel pressured or coerced into aborting and 79% were not told about the available resources.
We need to be ready to help. With compassion, non-judgement, accurate information about ALL of their options, tangible resources and contacts, and above they need to know and feel confident in our support of them, whatever their decision. As has been seen, not everyone wants an abortion. But sadly that does not always mean it won’t still happen. They still need us. 65% of women suffered trauma symptoms after abortion. We do not know His plans or His reasons. Or what work He will do or is doing in someone’s life. All we can do is meet every woman where they are with sincerity, integrity, and grace. Please help Next Step be that place.
Hello friends, Next Step is thriving! We welcomed our newest teammate – Ralphie!
Ralphie has been certified as an ’emotional support dog’ and he’s just a sweetie. There is overwhelming evidence that some dogs can help provide comfort and they can counteract the effects of stress and anxiety. Which is sometimes a huge factor in women and girls facing an unplanned pregnancy. There is nothing like a snuggle from a dog to bring a smile. Thank you for all your support!
I have been asking myself the same thing for two weeks now. Ever since someone vandalized the Next Step clinic in the early morning hours of May 25th.
Blood red words adorned the front door and walkway. Five of the clinic’s front windows were broken.
Why? Because they cannot abide it when a woman chooses life.
It was never about choice.
On Wednesday May 25th Next Step welcomed many clients in the doors. With ultrasound paper draping the front door to cover the spray-paint and friends boarding up the broken windows – Next Step was open and serving. And the overwhelming question we were asked that day? “Why destroy a place that helps women?”
Despite some major reservations I decided to answer some questions from, among others, Jason Rantz, LifeSite News, King 5, The Daily Caller, National Catholic Register, Fox News and more.
My question to their questions – “If a woman chooses to come here and get our assistance, she made a choice. So why can’t she go where she wants to go?”
In 2022 so far Next Step has seen over 1,250 clients/families, performed 144 pregnancy tests and our nurses have completed 45 ultrasound scans. Our resources have been requested and utilized over and over and over again for those seeking assistance.
Our nurses and staff do not make choices for our clients. Next Step does not make any money from the reproductive decisions our clients make. Next Step offers an exhaustive number of services, supplies, and compassion to anyone who comes through our doors.
So again – “Why destroy a place that helps women?” Something to think about. To pray about. In the last few months Next Step has joined several other pregnancy resource clinics who have been vandalized, lied about, targeted with false reviews and more. And it won’t end any time soon. The landmark Supreme Court decision regarding the probable overturning of Roe is expected to be announced mid to late June. And with it – a range of emotions will take over for many folks. Anger, elation, fear, relief, motivation, hate, and conviction.
Your support of Next Step Pregnancy Services is needed now more than ever. For those that support us unfailingly monthly, quarterly, annually, bi-annually, when you can – thank you. We’re in this now and there is no going backwards. The lives of women and their unborn depend on us. Whatever the verdict places like Next Step Pregnancy clinic are essential “if only to have someplace to go without having to crawl to” Planned Parenthood. For there they will receive nothing but death and lies.
Walk boldly. You are choosing to defend life and there is no greater task.
Proverbs 24: 11-12
Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.
If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?
Saturday September 24th, 2022 – Holy Rosary Church 630 7th Ave. North,
Edmonds, WA 98020 – 6pm
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who was promised is faithful. ~ Hebrews 10:23
Join us for dinner and drinks, a silent auction and a compelling young speaker!
You won’t want to miss it.
Invitations will be out over the summer! If you aren’t on our mailing list – email heather@nextstepnw.com
Rebekah Hagan is one of today`s youngest speakers on the issues of teenage pregnancy, abortion, and abortion pill reversal.
Raised in a Christian home where abortion was never discussed, Rebekah`s life in pro-life ministry was unplanned and fueled, instead, by her firsthand experience. She became pregnant at seventeen with her son, Eli, and again with a second child while in her first year of college.
Feeling ashamed and fearing that she would lose her family and be forced to drop out of school, Rebekah thought that raising two children alone would be impossible. At just over seven weeks pregnant, she began a medication abortion that changed her life; however, her story did not end there.
A passionate advocate for grace-centered outreach, Rebekah Hagan uses her story to unravel the mindset of women in unplanned pregnancies, and to equip and encourage others to lead with hope and compassion
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
Hebrews 12:1
I, like many of you, was patiently waiting as the time drew near when the injustice decided almost 50 years ago would be no more. Like all of you I was shocked to read of the ‘leak’ from the Supreme Court clerk’s office on Tuesday evening. The immediate reaction was a mix of joy, disbelief, and reluctance. What the heck?
As the story progressed and more details came to light about the possible nefarious motives of the “leak” lots of emotions and prayers raged through the hearts and minds of those of us who continue to stand firm in our faith and profess to the world that the protection of life is the test of tests He has placed before us.
Riots and protests erupted around the country at the news. Violence has been done to various pro-life clinics and groups. Little hits like trolling pregnancy resource clinics, like Next Step, and leaving false reviews to bigger punches like rocks thrown through pregnancy clinic windows and members or various pro-life groups being verbally harassed and bodily threatened.
Thankfully, so far, life has gone on as usual here at Next Step. Babies are being welcomed, young women and receiving life-changing news, clothes are being sorted and shared, toys are being picked out and taken home with smiles.
I invite you, friends of Next Step, to keep our ministry, our staff and volunteers and above all our clients in your hearts and in your minds and in your prayers. It is a critical time. A pivotal time for all defenders of life. Here in WA an overturning of Roe would mean something very different for say a PRC in Texas or Oklahoma. WA will become a safety net state for all those seeking abortion and we need to be prepared to meet these women, and their families, in their time of need and their time of uncertainty. More support then ever will be needed to keep Next Step on the map with open doors and the staff, services and supplies needed to be there when they come.
On Tuesday I was asked for our thoughts on the “leak” by a reporter from King 5. That can be tricky. I was very uneasy at the prospect of again allowing myself to get in front of a camera that may or may not slice and dice my words in the worst way. But I did – very very briefly. I highlighted again, as I did a couple months ago on King 5, the services Next Step provides. The certainty of our mission, unapologetically pro-life, and pro-woman and pro-family no matter what. That’s us. It thankfully did not blow up in my face.
There was also airtime given to a director from Pro Choice of Washington. And like our mantra about options other than abortion – I needed to ensure that every person was aware that there are answers and options that do in fact exist for them that do not include the termination of their own children and the hollowness and sorrow that follow. So I got in there.
As the verse at the top says – we’re on an obstacle course of sin and worldly distractions. So easily ensnared. We need to keep running the race He has made for us. Til the very end. I pray you will continue to support our clients and our mission – even more so than before – as we edge ever closer to this critical and momentous time in our nation’s history. When a grievous wrong will be righted and an innumerable lives will be saved.
Blessings
Heather
(photo is from the cover of Life magazine 1965)