Preventing Burnout in Your Maternity Home – Gina Tomes

Posted on October 12, 2023 by Christine Grimmett

Valerie Harkins interviews Gina Tomes about how the 24/7 care model of maternity homes can take a toll on staff and volunteers. Through years of experience (including founding the maternity home, Bethlehem House), Gina has learned a few key things to watch out for and how to prevent burnout among staff.

Contact housing@heartbeatinternational.org to connect with Valerie Harkins, Heartbeat International Housing Specialist

Notes:

High staff turnover is often attributed to burnout or exhaustion, especially in ministry work.
Staff should be trained well so that they are equipped to handle the many needs of residents.
Cross-training staff can help each staff member to take time off regularly.
Find a housing model that works well for both residents and staff.
Retreats and conference get your team outside of their typical day-to-day work and allows for time of fellowship and sharing of ideas.
Register here for Heartbeat’s Annual Conference!

Banquet Bloopers and Blessings – Kirk Walden and David Bereit

Posted on October 9, 2023 by Christine Grimmett

It’s banquet season, so we have brought in Kirk Walden and David Bereit to talk with Jor-El Godsey about some of their tips and tricks to holding a successful fundraising event. From fires, falling onstage, and protesters to powerful client moments and overwhelming financial support, Kirk and David have experienced a lot in their travels!

Click here for Heartbeat’s manual, Banquet Planning from Scratch
Click here for David’s training, The Art of the Ask

Notes:

Don’t assume that attendees know everything about your mission and who you serve.
Illustrate your mission by telling stories of the families who have been served by your organization
Don’t apologize for asking for money. Remember that you are giving people a chance to be a part of your amazing mission!
Speak the language of your audience (using terms and explanations that the audience can connect with).
Be flexible as unforeseen events may disrupt your banquet; be sensitive to what the distraction may be and remember that your audience is with you. They understand!
Remember those who wanted to make it to the banquet but were not able to, or those who were not ready to give that night. Maximize what happens after the banquet by connecting with people who want to give later.

Sponsored by: Ambassador Speakers Bureau

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Prenatal Diagnosis Part 2 – Resources

Posted on September 11, 2023 by Christine Grimmett

Nafisa Kennedy, Director of Option Line, interviews Dr. Tara Sander Lee and Chaney Mullins Gooley about the resources that are available to parents who have received news of a prenatal diagnosis. Using the new website, PrenatalDiagnosis.org, families can access informative resources as well as chat with a consultant about their options. This website and the resources listed equip pregnancy help organizations, churches, and individuals with the tools they need to be ready to serve a family facing a prenatal diagnosis.

Visit PrenatalDiagnosis.org

Prenatal Diagnosis Part 1 – Informed Consent

Notes:

A prenatal diagnosis can mean that parents who would not otherwise consider abortion may now be abortion vulnerable; often the pregnancy was planned and the family was excited to welcome a new member to their family.
Advances in diagnostic tools have allowed for more birth defects or fetal anomalies to be detected before birth. While this can be a helpful way for an unborn child to be treated before birth for medical conditions, false positive test results or a lack of understanding of the results can lead to the pressure to abort.
Perinatal bereavement care is available to parents, and is often chosen instead of abortion when given as option. This can be a very healing experience for the whole family.
Parent Care Coordinators help parents through the different services that the family might need including communications with the hospital, surgeons, arranging childcare for other children, travel, etc.
Adoptive parents are ready to care for children with medical conditions; this is an option that is not often presented to parents who may not be ready or able to care for a child who is diagnosed before birth with a medical condition.
PrenatalDiagnosis.org offers a comprehensive list of resources up to delivery and beyond. Topics include diagnosis, effects on the family, support groups, pregnancy loss healing, and site visitors can connect to a live chat so that help is available 24/7.

Get Out the Vote

Posted on September 6, 2023 by Christine Grimmett

November elections are quickly approaching, and states like Ohio have abortion on the ballot. There is a growing need for the pregnancy help movement to step into the political conversation in defense of life in all states, and we must speak up and ensure our hard-earned victories are not erased, nor is abortion further embedded into our constitutions. Join Heartbeat staff members Jessica Warner, Leanna Baumer, and Lora Current in this discussion about strategy, resources, and practical steps that you can take to protect life in your state.

Resources:

Notes:

States like Ohio are facing (or could soon face) ballot initiatives to change the state constitution to allow for abortion up until birth
The ballot language is often broad and causes confusion among voters
If passed, these changes to the state’s constitution would be very difficult to amend in the future
Big Abortion is watching Ohio to see how well this tactic works, planning ballot initiatives in additional states for 2024 if this passes
Pregnancy Help Organizations are uniquely positioned to share the truth on life issues with clients, donors, and community supporters; you are the experts on the needs the families in your community!
It is important to stay updated and to educate your staff on state issues
State coalitions are a powerful way to make your voice heard, and can help you strategize as a group to make sure the story of pregnancy help is told on your terms
501(c)(3) organizations are allowed to share their perspective about how policies might help/harm their community
Partnering with groups such as your local Family Research Council and Right to Life can equip you and help you stay informed
Pray! Take time to care for yourself and your team

Sponsor: Pregnancy Help News

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Prenatal Diagnosis Part 1 – Informed Consent

Posted on August 21, 2023 by Christine Grimmett

Petra Wallenmeyer guides this discussion with Gary Thome, Heartbeat International Board Member and DiAnn Ecret, PhD, Healthcare Ethics, to shed light on the lack of informed consent given to parents facing a prenatal diagnosis. A prenatal diagnosis can mean that parents who were not previously considering abortion are now abortion-vunerable due to the way that information is presented to them by healthcare providers. Oftentimes, the difference in a screening test vs a diagnostic test is not clarified, and abortion is strongly suggested as opposed to alternatives such as carrying to term and exploring treatment options. Pregnancy help organizations can equip themselves to be ready to serve parents with resources to support them during a difficult time.

Resources:

Pro-Life Activism – Angela Erickson

Posted on July 31, 2023 by Christine Grimmett

With a background ranging from Executive Director of a pregnancy center to Students for Life Regional Coordinator, Angela Erickson has a lot of experience in pro-life work in the state of Minnesota. Angela draws from her experience to share about the challenges of lobbying in an abortion state, and shares what works well to promote collaboration between communities, legislators, and pregnancy help organizations.

Resources

Getting to Know Your Legislator

Posted on July 17, 2023 by Christine Grimmett

Jessica Warner is joined by her dad, Former Ohio State Representative Kyle Koehler to talk about how pro-life pregnancy help organizations can effectively make their voices heard in public policy. Gain insight from a legislator’s perspective on capturing the attention of lawmakers and learn simple, actionable steps that you can take to strengthen their support for your ministry.

Interested in Babies Go to Congress? Click here!

Sponsor: Extend Web Services

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Same, But Different – Voice for Life (Bosnia)

Posted on July 10, 2023 by Christine Grimmett

Ellen Foell spoke with Anja Mirosavljev from Voice for Life in Bosnia at our Annual Conference about the way that her organization reaches women facing unexpected pregnancies. Many organizations are doing similar work, but different at the same time depending on their culture or the needs of the community. Abortion is easily accessible (and free) in Bosnia, and is often used as a form of contraception, so the need for pregnancy help is great. Voice for Life has been serving women since 2017.

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Dobbs One Year Later

Posted on June 28, 2023 by Christine Grimmett

Jor-El Godsey, Tracie Shellhouse, Andrea Trudden, and Danielle White reflect on the first year post-Roe. We’ve seen an increase in media interest, attacks on pro-lifers, state legislative battles, and more, and pregnancy help is more important than ever. Listen as the Heartbeat team discusses what has happened and what to expect in the year ahead.

Resources:

PregnancyCenterTruth.com
Pregnancy Help News
Sponsor: Pregnancy Help Institute

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Pregnancy Help Podcast

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Category Archives: Pregnancy Help Organizations

Preventing Burnout in Your Maternity Home – Gina Tomes

Banquet Bloopers and Blessings – Kirk Walden and David Bereit

Prenatal Diagnosis Part 2 – Resources

Get Out the Vote

Prenatal Diagnosis Part 1 – Informed Consent

Pro-Life Activism – Angela Erickson

Getting to Know Your Legislator

Same, But Different – Voice for Life (Bosnia)

Dobbs One Year Later