Assistance for expecting mothers and saving unborn babies doesn’t just happen in Franklin County. Throughout the diocese, pregnancy resource centers are engaged in life-saving work every day.
In Licking, Muskingum and others counties east of Columbus, Heartbeats is making a significant impact with life-affirming care that helps women choose life instead of abortion.
With offices in Newark and Zanesville, Heartbeats in 2022 alone received requests for services from 75 Ohio zip codes and has served women and men with after-abortion support in 45 states and 18 countries.
Onsite through their two locations, they facilitated 3,477 appointments, including 729 new clients, and administered 753 pregnancy tests (590 were positive), 386 ultrasounds and distributed prenatal vitamins to moms with a positive test.
Dr. David Born, a member of Newark St. Francis de Sales Church, provides oversight of medical services as Heartbeats’ medical director.
The pro-life organization reported that at least 17 babies were saved in 2022 as their mothers were intent on abortion. There were 337 babies were born to Heartbeats’ clients despite 82% being initially vulnerable to abortion due to a number of factors.
And Heartbeats continues to report success stories into the new year.
“Amidst legal uncertainties, moments of profound transformation have unfolded, reflecting the hope and joy your support brings to those we serve,” the organization shared recently with its supporters. “One such moment occurred on Tuesday when a young couple embraced the gift of salvation, being moved by the timeless Christmas narrative shared by their client consultant. Your support served as their guiding star, forever changing their lineage with this life-altering decision.
“In another recent encounter, a woman located over 40 miles from one of our centers searched for abortion information on her phone, leading her to our website. This exemplifies the impact of our marketing efforts, empowered by your generosity.
“Responding to her call, we provided a conversation filled with hope and support, ultimately becoming the precipice for her to choose life. She expressed, “You were not who I set out to talk to today, but I’m glad it worked out this way.”
A few days later, the mother confirmed that she planned to give birth to her baby … a little girl.
In yet another positive story, Heartbeats related that they are providing support, resources and encouragement to a woman facing an unexpected third pregnancy whose past experiences are marked by adversity, including court interventions and limited resources, making her especially vulnerable to abortion. Heartbeats introduced the option of adoption and she is choosing to continue her pregnancy and has begun to meet with prospective adoptive parents.
“This story highlights the transformative power of information and support in empowering individuals to make life-affirming choices,” Heartbeats said. “We are incredibly moved by this courageous woman who has chosen life for her child through a deeply meaningful and selfless act.”
Heartbeats’ tools include HopeSync, a program that sends information and videos to abortion vulnerable clients via text messages, and BrightCourse, a video-streaming curriculum featuring more than 220 parenting lessons.
These “Bridges” programs accompany women during a pregnancy decision and families with children under age four. In 2022, Heartbeats facilitated 1,545 in-person and 62 virtual parenting class sessions.
“These classes not only strengthen the foundation of families but also contribute to reducing infant mortality, child abuse and neglect,” Heartbeats said. “Importantly, these classes are open to the general public and are often mandated by local courts in cases such as family reunification.”
Participation in these classes allow individuals to earn and use points to shop in Heartbeats’ boutiques that provide diapers, bottles, infant clothing and more.
Heartbeats’ ministry isn’t restricted to pregnant mothers.
After abortion support groups provide healing to men and women by addressing the emotional and spiritual needs of individuals dealing with a past bortion while aiming to prevent subsequent abortions. In 2022, 31 women were served through the six-week Keys to Hope and Healing or an eight-week Living in Color study, nine men participated in a six-week Repairing His Story study and 39 women were referred to a pregnancy center closer to their home.
At the core of the Heartbeats mission is prevention and outreach to local students. In 2022, at no cost to schools, 3,674 local students at 12 schools were presented with education on establishing healthy relationships; abstinence until marriage; character development; goal setting; sexual assault, consent and human trafficking; dating violence and the abuse cycle; and the effects of addiction.
In 2024, Heartbeats’ strategic efforts are poised to expand and touch the lives of even more youth.
Heartbeats was founded in 1969 by a small group of believers who foresaw the threat of legalized abortion four years before the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe vs. Wade decision, which was overturned with the High Court’s Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling in June 2022.
That commitment led to the establishment of Heartbeats, which began as one phone line manned by volunteers.
Heartbeats maintains strong ties to the Catholic community in the Newark and Zanesville areas. Its mission aligns with the Catholic Church to serve people at all stages of life with the love of Christ.
Newark St. Francis de Sales Church’s Respect life group collaborates with Heartbeats on a number of initiatives, including a baby clothing drive in January, and the parish’s Knights of Columbus has donated money for ultrasound machines.
In Zanesville, Catholic school students last fall collected more than 7,000 items, including diapers, wipes bottles and cups, for Heartbeats to make available to its clients.
“Our mission continues to exemplify the love and compassion of Christ,“ executive director Liz McCullough said, “with our phones still ringing as we work tirelessly to make abortion unthinkable.”