APPENDIX H

Using Special Agencies

Agencies can provide much help. National headquarters can make local referrals. Know in advance what information you need from the agency. If you are calling long distance, try to keep your calls short to minimize expenses. Or have a local PREGNANCY AIDgency call for you. Refer to the web site Pregnancy Centers Online for referral to the PREGNANCY AIDgency nearest you.

If you reach an answering machine, try calling again. Or leave a brief message, your name, and your phone number, and offer to have the group call you back collect if you can afford this expense. Only a few agencies accept collect phone calls. A telephone operator can explain how to call collect, what code or number you must dial before dialing long distance, and if there is a time difference in the area you're calling. Some agencies are open twenty-four hours; others are open days or evenings only.

When writing to a group, always enclose a self-addressed, stamped, business size (4 inch by 9 inch) envelope for a reply. If you are writing to a group in another country, speak to a post office official regarding the type and amount of postage to include with your return envelope.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

With a PREGNANCY AIDgency or other group, approach the following community agencies for financial aid, volunteer assistance, and donations of food, clothes, and other necessities.

* Churches, synagogues

* Councils of churches

* Prominent individuals, business people

* Businesses, corporations

* Campaign for Human Development, Lutheran Social Services, other fund drives

* Civic organizations, service clubs

* Knights of Columbus, Masons, Elks, Rotary, Lions, Business and Professional Women, JayCees, Junior Optimist, Junior League, Kiwanis, etc.

* Religious organizations, prayer groups

* Chamber of Commerce

* Youth groups, civic and religious

* Newspaper (for publicity)

* Self-help groups

* United Way

To locate community groups, refer to your telephone book or newspaper, or seek help from your friends, the town hall, or local bodies of worship.

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ASSOCIATIONS

The Encyclopedia of Associations, published in the United States by Gale Research Company, describes thousands of national groups, listing addresses, phone numbers, contacts, and services. Other countries have similar references. Most libraries have these books. If yours doesn't, call a library in a large city and ask the librarian to locate, in this reference, the groups dealing with your problem and to give you the phone numbers. National organizations can provide information and referrals.

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

Call your town hall for referral to government agencies offering assistance to needy women and their children. A PREGNANCY AIDgency can act as an advocate for you.

PREGNANCY AIDgencies and PREGNANCY LOSS AND AFTER ABORTION HELPLINES

As discussed in Chapter Two, "PREGNANCY AIDgency" is a term coined for use in this book. It refers to the thousands of pregnancy help agencies that exist worldwide under a variety of names. To locate a local agency to help you, or to find a complete listing of PREGNANCY AIDgencies under their various names, consult Pregnancy Centers Online or call the numbers below. They can refer you.

Most PREGNANCY AIDgencies accept collect phone calls if you are unable to pay. However, remember that these agencies have limited funds. Paying for your call, if you are able to do so, is very helpful.

Please let the author know at bspenance@hotmail.com if any of these numbers or emails are no longer working. Thank you

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International Referral

* Pregnancy Decision Health Centers

Columbus, Ohio

614/444-4411

http://www.pdhc.org

Distributes a directory of PREGNANCY AIDgencies worldwide.

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Birthright USA National and Canada

Atlanta, Georgia

Hot Line 1-800-550-4900

www.birthright.org

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Birthright International

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

416-469-4789

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* Pregnancy 24 hour Hotline (International Referral)

800/848-LOVE

www.nationallifecenter.com

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* St. Joseph Adoption Referral Services, Inc. (24 hour hotline USA)

800/ 752 - 1737

duomd@swbell

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* AAO (Alpha and Omega) Problem Pregnancy Helpline

800/228-0332

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* Bethany Christian Services

800/BETHANY

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* International Life Services

Los Angeles, California

213/382-2156

www.life-services.org

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* Care Net Helpline

1-800-395-HELP

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* Care Net Pregnancy Center Hotline

1-888-823-1121

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* America's Pregnancy Hotline

1-888-467-8466

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If you have had an abortion or experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or other pregnancy loss, the above three numbers (Care Net Helpline, Care Pregnancy Center Hotline, and America's Pregnancy Hotline) can assist you with your concerns. So can the following two helplines:

Rachel's Vineyard

1-877-HOPE-4ME

National Memorial for the Unborn

1-800-505-5565

www.memorial-unborn.org

mail@memorial-unborn.org