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Stepping Stones to the Sky

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“Dear God,” she prayed, “let me be something every minute of every hour of my life.“

~ Francie Nolan

Dear Friend of Next Step,

The first day of Summer this year is June 21st! Washington is full of blue skies and warm breezes. Outdoor concerts and Strawberry Festivals. Summer is beautiful here. But there is a darker side to Washington State just now. Our current Governor is stockpiling the abortion pill Misoprostol in the event access to this drug is in danger. On April 27th Governor Inslee signed a bill that makes Washington a so-called “Sanctuary State for Reproductive Care.” In times like this I can’t help but feel like the walls are closing in around us! But I’m also reminded daily that now more than ever before the battle is being fought and that those of us who defend life will prevail. The road ahead will not be an easy one (has it ever been?) but the resilience and faith we display now will ensure lives are saved and hearts are changed.

Recently my 12-year-old daughter and I listened to an audiobook together. It was called A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. This is a beloved American classic about a young girl’s coming-of-age at the turn of the 20th century.  The story presents young, sensitive, and idealistic Francie Nolan and her bittersweet formative years in the slums of Williamsburg. It was, in a lot of ways, a very brutal story, and there were quite a few moments when I worried it was too much for my daughter. It did not pull any punches about the realities of life at that time for those living in abject poverty. The story did, however, create several talking points for my daughter and me– and for that I am grateful.

The reason I bring this up to you folks is that certain aspects of the story put me in mind of our day-to-day work at Next Step and the women and families that seek us out. Like Francie’s parents, Katie, and Johnny, we see many young men and women, with little or no income, some with not a huge amount of education, but with children. And babies. And worries about how to get from day to day keeping their families fed, cared for, and intact. And especially those that live the struggle acutely upon finding themselves expecting.

The very first lines of the novel refer to the title, though the reader does not yet know the significance,

“There’s a tree that grows in Brooklyn. Some people call it the Tree of Heaven. No matter where its seed falls, it makes a tree which struggles to reach the sky. It grows in boarded-up lots and out of neglected rubbish heaps. It grows out of cellar gratings. It is the only tree that grows out of cement. It grows lushly . . . survives without sun, water, and seemingly without earth. It would be considered beautiful except that there are too many of it.”

Francie Nolan was a sickly child. Weak and blue. And Katie was no longer producing milk because Katie is pregnant again with her second child. The neighborhood midwife offers Katie ‘some foul brown liquid’ and a choice. Katie refuses. Katie, like Francie, is the tree that struggles to reach the sky regardless of hardship. There are many families struggling to reach the sky, many children waiting to be born. Life can be harsh. But each of us is here by the grace of God. For a purpose. And Next Step’s purpose is to be one of many steppingstones for our clients so that they, and their children, can flourish, grow and be something.

Sanctity of Life Sunday

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Dear Friends of Next Step,

This Sunday January 22nd, 2023 is Sanctity of Life Sunday. The first SOL since the fall of Roe. Always a special day, its made even more so because life won and is continuing to win. How many times though, have you heard ‘the fight’s not over!’? Probably a lot. Me too. And its not wrong. You might say we won a significant battle but not the war.

Our day to day work her at Next Step makes a difference. I know it does. I live it every day! But the lies and slander flung at PRCs (pregnancy resource clinics) has increased 100 fold since January 2022 and the demise of Roe. And its only going to get worse. In fact this Sunday there are planned protests and rallies all over the country. Here in Washington there is one planned in front of our Next Step clinic on 64th Ave. West and 196th as well as in front of St. James Cathedral in Seattle. 

What do we do? I know in my discussions and defense of Next Step, of which I have been doing almost weekly now, a disturbing trend has arisen. The fact is there are a vast number of pro-abortion folks who will not simply be satisfied if abortion remains a viable option for many states but will only rest when we all agree that abortion, in its every form, is ok. Cease to call it wrong and join them in calling it right. 

Well we will not.  We refuse. We reject, rebuff, and abhor the act and will never affirm it to be of God and morally just.
But as we have learned this year and last, we cannot remain passive. “A best defense is a good offense.” – Sun-Tzu

So please do keep Next Step Pregnancy Services in your prayers this Sunday as we celebrate the first anniversary of the overturning of Roe as well as a day to contemplate and recognize the Sanctity of all Human Life.

~Heather Vasquez
audaces fortuna juvat

Speak the Truth Even if Your Voice Shakes!

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Guerrilla Warfare? Hit-and-Run scare tactics designed to misrepresent places like Next Step Pregnancy Services (again….)

“Washington Must Hold Crisis Pregnancy Centers Accountable” is the latest headline from the “Progressive Newspaper” (and I use the term loosely) The Stranger.

(penned by UW students in a segment tagged guest rant from 11/25/2022)

Let’s clear a few things up and please – be a spreader of facts – not fiction.

  • PRCs “divert clients from abortions by using coercive tactics and medical misinformation”
  • Every client comes into our clinic of their own free will. Our services are posted clearly, truthfully, and without embellishment.
  • The medical services we provide are legitimate procedures and tests performed by licensed medical professionals. Early diagnostic ultrasounds are used to determine viability and gestational age. End of. There is nothing false about that.
  • They position themselves strategically to target the young and in low-income communities.
  • Next Step Pregnancy Services is on the bus line and located conveniently in between the larger cities of Seattle and Everett. If strategic means ease of locale for those seeking care, then yes. Yes we do.
  • The young and low-income? Unlike “the other guys” we do not position ourselves directly inside schools of young kids. Additionally unlike “the other guys” we do offer free services and supplies because we recognize that having children and being pregnant can be an expensive time and we are here to help ease some of that inevitable financial strain.
  • PRCs are a “potential health threat because they delay clients from receiving prenatal care” and “intentionally lie to clients by incorrectly reporting their gestational age”.
  • To be honest is this “claim” worth even responding to? In 2022 alone Next Step medical professionals performed over 300 diagnostic ultrasounds and referred a similar amount to local Ob-gyns for further care. Almost 90% were first trimester (0-13 weeks). 80% of those clients intended to carry with the rest undecided and overwhelmed. As we all felt at one time or another didn’t we?
  • So many of the women coming into PRCs are simply there to obtain gestational age or to check on their pregnancy due to a history of previous miscarriage. They just need reassurance. We can do that. We do that.
  • “Most PRCs are affiliated and funded by evangelical Christian anti-abortion organizations and are increasingly funded by state and federal grants.”
  • That last one is laughable. Funded by Washington State? Next Step Pregnancy Services is not affiliated with any particular church or religious organization. We are an independent 501(c)3 funded by independent organizations and free individuals (like you!) . Next Step has never, nor will we ever, accept state or federal funding.
  • The fact that Next Step is filled with Christ-Centered staff and volunteers is purely a coincidence…..the protection of life and the vulnerable is an obvious by product of being a follower of Christ. Go figure.

Next Step Pregnancy Services Gala and Virtual Silent Auction is here!

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Can’t attend the Gala in person? Here is another great way to support the Pro-Life mission!

The Next Step Pregnancy Services Virtual Silent Auction opens on Monday September 19th at 10:00am and goes all week until Monday September 26th 10:00am.

Just head to the following link: https://events.handbid.com/auctions/next-step-gala-2022 to register and browse items! Then – when 9/19 rolls around let the bidding begin! Scroll down to see some hot items, tickets, baskets, experiences and more!

The Next Step Gala is on! Join us on Saturday September 24th at 6pm at Holy Rosary church in Edmonds!

There are tickets still available for purchase but hurry! Deadline for ticket purchase is Wednesday September 14th! Head to nssupport.org/gala2022 to register and purchase! Expect great food, music, games, and a dynamic pro-life speaker!

WA and a Post Roe World

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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.

“Why destroy a place that helps women?”

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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?

May is for Mothers!

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 “Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother.” —Lin Yutang

Becoming a mother has been the greatest, happiest, hardest, and scariest feat of my life. Nothing can compare. It’s a roller coaster that never seems to end. Its every lazy Sunday afternoon in the backyard playing croquet in too long grass, it’s the sticky puddle of unknown origin you find on the kitchen counter which brings an exasperated headshake, it’s the constant reminder of life pulsing and racing that you are responsible for , its every quiet night you spend pressing your palm gently to your child’s chest to ensure she is still breathing, and its all of the nights dozing in the moonlight not quite asleep until she is home and safely in your presence.

Its every school drop off living in constant fear of being scolded for not moving forward, its every edgy discussion about why organized religion is ‘bad’ and big plans to move somewhere in Europe where the politics are more ‘tolerant’ make you want to pop the cork on that bottle you’ve been saving and dump it down the drain where everything you taught your child appears to have gone.

Its every hug and joyful smile she ever gives you with sparkling eyes full of enthusiasm and hope. And your every instinct to keep that state of mind in her for as long as you can.

That’s some of what being a mother is for me. May is the month of motherhood. And yes, of all the rights I believe women should possess – I believe the right to be a mother is one. And that includes the right to be a mother an unborn little girl possesses while still in the womb hearing the steady drumbeat of her mother’s heart matching her own.

Our Mission

Next Step Pregnancy Services is dedicated to serving with compassion and dignity the immediate and long-term needs of those facing unplanned pregnancies. We promote the sanctity of human life in a non-judgmental atmosphere filled with love and compassion. It is our goal to empower those we serve to make healthy lifestyle choices now and in the future.