Recently, Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs) have come under attack by various pro-abortion organizations. CPCs or PRCs (Pregnancy Resource Centers) are not-for-profit organizations that serve women across the United States. Below are some common myths that have been spread about these centers and the real facts.

A crisis pregnancy center is a non-profit community center or clinic which:

• Primarily serves pregnant women and mothers of infants.

• Is not an abortion provider.

• There are approximately 2,200 crisis pregnancy centers in the United States.

Myth 1: CPCs are “fake clinics.”

Pregnancy centers come in two types. The first is a traditional crisis pregnancy center or pregnancy resource center. They are not clinics and do not pretend to be, although in most states they are able to offer pregnancy tests and prenatal vitamins. They provide numerous social services, including parenting classes, options counseling, baby supplies, and other financial aid.

The second type is a Pregnancy Help Medical Clinic. Theses are licensed clinics working under the direction of an M.D. Medical services provided vary from clinic to clinic, but often include ultrasounds, on-site prenatal exams, and/or STD testing. In neither case can these be considered “fake clinics.”

Myth 2: CPCs only care about preventing abortions

CPCs want to help women, no matter what their circumstance; not only the abortion-minded, but also women who have chosen adoption or parenting, women whose babies have already been born, and women struggling with a prior abortion.

Myth 3: CPCs use volunteers who are unqualified.

CPCs do utilize volunteers (and so does Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider!) All CPC volunteers undergo training to ensure that they are qualified to assist women and the unborn.

Myth 4: All CPCs have religious affiliations

Some do and some do not; many respectable non-profits have religious affiliations. People who make this claim are usually implying something further: religious discrimination. This is patently false. No CPC will refuse a client on the basis of her religion.

Myth 5: CPCs pressure women into agreeing to adoption.

CPCs work to empower women to make the best choice for themselves and their babies, whether this means raising a child or placing him or her up for adoption. No CPC will ever try to forcefully coerce a woman into agreeing to an adoption.

Want to get even more involved? CPCs are always looking for volunteers! They also appreciate donations- not only of money, but of things like maternity clothing, diapers and office supplies. A local CPC would be grateful for anything that you, or your student group, is able to collect.

Fake Clinic by Kelsey Hazzard