“Mission: Possible!” is the theme for the upcoming Celebration for Life Galas for Pregnancy Decision Health Centers (PDHC) of central Ohio. The Lancaster event will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15 at Crossroads Ministry Center, 2095 W. Fair Ave. The Columbus event is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22 at Villa Milano, 1630 Schrock Rd.
To learn more about the galas and to register for one of the events, visit supportLifePDHC.org.
For more than 41 years, PDHC has been a resource for women and families in the community. During the past four decades, the programs and services have grown and evolved, saving thousands of lives and impacting families for generations.
With the recent U.S. Supreme Court reversal of Roe v. Wade and the subsequent implementation of Ohio’s Heartbeat Law, the compassionate care and services provided at PDHC are even more important.
PDHC’s four pillars of service include pregnancy support, family empowerment, youth development and abortion recovery. Pregnancy support services include a 24/7 hotline and four pregnancy resource centers providing personalized consultations, pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, abortion pill reversal services and links to community resources to meet the needs of the women served.
Hotline staff and volunteers serve individuals on the front lines, often as the first point of contact for women in crisis. “The opportunity to communicate God’s grace and hope to the uncertain, the undecided, the hurting, is a humbling privilege,” said Rachel, PDHC’s connections manager.
Recently, Rachel took a call from a woman seeking abortion pill reversal services. After providing hope and compassion and connecting her to the medical team, Rachel continued to pray for the woman.
“God always impresses on my heart the humility, strength and courage it takes to initiate this process, to say, ‘I was wrong, will you please help me?’ To share parts of a very personal story and choices made in secret and shame. To place faith in strangers in an unknown outcome.
“I marvel at the heart of that mother, who, although she did not think she was ready to be one, acted out of a mother’s heart in every decision thereafter. That is the Holy Spirit at work in which we have the honor to share a small part, to be the tangible voice of reassurance, of hope, of the love of the Father,” Rachel said.
The mother continued her pregnancy and is joyfully expecting the arrival of her baby boy soon.
For help, contact the hotline at 614-444-4411.
PDHC’s Family Empowerment Program helps moms and dads as they journey into parenthood. Expectant and new parents receive support, education and material resources such as diapers, wipes, clothing, car seats, pack ‘n’ plays and other essential baby items.
They participate in both online and in-person classes and receive ongoing communication and emotional support throughout the program from their volunteer Family Advocate.
“PDHC helped me get confidence in taking care of my first child,” a recent parenting class graduate said. “As a first-time mom, I had no knowledge on how to care for a new baby. The program gave me a lot of education and built up my confidence, helping me know that the parenthood journey is not going to be easy, but I can make it if I set my mind to it.”
When it comes to talking with teens, PDHC’s Common Sense Culture (CSC) youth development program provides healthy choices education to middle and high school students to help them achieve their life goals.
“While it is great to encourage middle and high school students to set goals, it is just as important today to teach them that they cannot simply choose their futures, they can only choose the habits that form them,” said Matt, CSC director. “Character is not merely assumed but taught and modeled in every CSC class.”
A recent student found the messaging so impactful that he shared his experience with his parents. The parents wrote to say how pleased they were that CSC educators connected in a way that caused an otherwise quiet and unassuming student to rave about the impact of the lessons learned.
Matt said, “This is another example of how CSC is not only impacting thousands of students each year, but the message is impacting families as well.”
PDHC’s Abortion Recovery (aR) programs and services provide a safe, confidential, non-judgmental place for individuals to restore, reclaim and recover from an abortion experience. aR offers hope and healing to those who have experienced the grief and trauma from an abortion.
“I found aR support 100% helpful,” a recent program participant said. “I was in a dark place and headed back down a dark road. I have been lifted out of a pit that could have ruined me. I cannot express how grateful I am.
“Anyone going through or sitting in a broken place, you can come out. There are people who God sent to help you, and they are so happy to help you with all love and no judgment. I sat in a place of loneliness for years feeling unwanted, loveless and broken, but aR at PDHC has opened a door that I am walking through with confidence! I have a new mind and heart.
“Yes, it is hard, but I am changed, and healing is my new friend.”
For more information on aR programs and services, contact 614-721-2100.