Client Stories
More than “the Guy in the Lobby”
“I grew up without my dad. And I felt like I didn’t need one but struggled with the question, ‘why didn’t you want me?’” The father of the baby is one of the biggest influences on a woman’s choice to parent her unborn child or end her child’s life in abortion; because of this, our Men’s Ministry is key. Some of our most devoted volunteers are the brave men who come in every shift amidst a sea of women to be the ones to reach out to “The Guy in the Lobby.” Tyron and Robert (below) are two clients who recently walked through the Male Mentoring program. Tyron, quoted above, worked three jobs while attending the Earn While You Learn classes, as he never had a positive father figure but wanted to learn from the example set by our Male Mentors. Robert came to know Christ after the tragic death of his child, Owen, who was stillborn at 9 months gestation. Through the love and support of FCWS volunteers and staff, Robert said that we felt like family, and “FCWS helped me to navigate the valleys.” Now, more than ever, the ministry of FCWS is key. Your investment will provide the mentoring and support so many families will need Post-Roe. These men were interviewed recently at a Men’s Ministry training event. Watch Tyron and Robert’s full stories below:
A Message from the CEO
What the Reversal of Roe vs. Wade Means for Florida
The reversal of the 1972 Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision should be celebrated by all of us who value LIFE at every age and stage! Some people, like myself, have been praying for this reversal since before most of our clients were born. Many of the states that value the sanctity of human life will quickly pass legislation to further restrict or eliminate abortion. What about Florida?
Earlier this year, Florida passed legislation which prohibits abortion after 15 weeks of gestation. Although this would only apply to 9% or fewer of the state’s abortions, it was a victory. However, Florida will not be able to enact a Heartbeat Bill, such as Texas has done, to prohibit abortion after the baby’s heartbeat is detected at about six weeks gestation without changing the Florida State Constitution.
In 1989, the Florida Supreme Court decided that a 1980 amendment to the Florida State Constitution guaranteeing to every person “the right to be let alone and free from governmental intrusion into the person’s private life”, encompassed a right to abortion. The only way this can be overturned is by changing the Florida State Constitution.
Therefore, at a legal level, the work has only begun. In 1942, during World War II, Britain achieved a remarkable victory at the Battle of Egypt after three long years of defeat. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill said in a speech at that time,
With the changes and turmoil that will take place in many states, we need to prepare for an increase in abortion-minded clients from states near us who may be able to outlaw abortion completely. We have already begun experiencing those increases. The Northside Center, near the airport, is convenient for those clients coming down I-95 from Georgia and states north of us. Our Baker Center will receive more clients coming across on I-10 from neighboring states and the west. We are encouraged to have remodeled and moved into our new Kernan Center, near UNF and the largest campus of FSCJ. It will draw abortion-minded students studying here, who come from other more abortion-restrictive states. Our other centers will also see increasing numbers as Florida has become an “abortion destination” to quote John Stemberger, President of the Florida Family Policy Council.
Thank you for your faithful and generous support of First Coast Women’s Services over all the years since we saw the first unplanned pregnancy in 1994. The Lord of Life has used your prayers, your labor and your giving to sustain this work. It is with humility that we ask for your continued support in all these areas.
Joyfully Serving,
Judy Weber, CEO
Save the Dates!
