Thinking she had no other choice, one expectant mother in Texas planned to abort her baby.
That is, until the pandemic closed abortion clinics across the state.
Faced with no options for healthcare, she didn’t know who to turn to or where to find help.
But then an encounter with a new and unique pro-life ministry changed her life!
In many states, abortions are considered “elective” medical procedures.
This means many abortion clinics are currently closed – and many babies are being saved as a result!
While this is great news, it also means many single mothers and pregnant women in crisis don’t know where to go for help.
The expecting mother from Texas, who had immigrated from Italy to escape domestic violence, was in dire need of financial, medical, and emotional support.
She was ready to abort her baby because she didn’t think she had any other options.
But when the abortion clinics closed, she started looking into other resources.
That’s when she found LoveLine!
Founded by Abby Johnson, an outspoken former Planned Parenthood director turned pro-life activist, LoveLine focuses on providing material goods and support to pregnant women and moms in crisis “who feel they have exhausted all opportunities for resources in their area.”
The organization provides “direct material relief” by posting online baby registries, which those in the pro-life community can donate to by providing diapers, wipes, formula, clothing, and more for mothers in need.
LoveLine also assists women with rent, utilities, college tuition, and health insurance, as well as providing life coaching and spiritual direction.
The ministry of LoveLine has attracted attention and support from those on both sides of the abortion debate.
“It has been both a humbling and exciting experience to witness the love from people all over the nation who have stepped up to give these women in crisis situations a way out,” said Abby Johnson.
“Our phones have been pinging nonstop since we officially launched LoveLine…with the vast divisiveness in today’s culture, this is one area where love is stronger than our differences.”
The ministry has never been more needed—or more appreciated—than during this time of financial instability.
LoveLine stepped up to support the immigrant mother in Texas, helping her apply for Medicaid so she could receive critical healthcare. The ministry also connected her with an immigration attorney to help her obtain asylum status.
Now that she feels supported and cared for, the expecting mother is no longer considering an abortion, even when Planned Parenthood does reopen.
Her case is just one example of the work that LoveLine has been doing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pam Whitehead, the ministry’s director, noted that LoveLine has seen a spike in appeals for help during the coronavirus crisis.
“We’ve had double the clients,” Whitehead said. She believes that the closure of abortion clinics has driven many women to consider pro-life resources.
New and expecting mothers have “reached out to see if we could assist with baby items and rent during this COVID-19 scare.”
“We’ve [had] 5 babies born in the past two weeks to women who were abortion-vulnerable. We’ve been supporting them through their pregnancies and will continue to,” Whitehead affirmed.
“Three moms from Texas, one from North Dakota and one from Montana—all delivered since COVID-19 started. They all have everything they need to bring their babies home because we did an online registry for them already.”
The online registry concept relies on the generosity of “the pro-life public,” Whitehead said.
LoveLine typically asks an expectant or new mother in crisis to put together a list of items she needs to care for her baby. Then, the ministry posts the registry online and asks the pro-life community to help out.
Registries are usually fully filled within an hour.
“Oftentimes, people in the pro-life movement want to do something concrete to help mothers choose life,” said Johnson, reflecting on the amazing response to LoveLine’s work.
“I am continually amazed at the generosity of perfect strangers who freely give of their time and resources to help someone they don’t know in a crisis situation. LoveLine is an outlet for this kind of unconditional love.”
“It’s a beautiful thing to be a part of.”
You can learn how to be part of LoveLine’s work by volunteering, praying, or giving here!
