Editor,
Last Friday the Daily Lobo featured an article entitled “Not all centers created equal.” In the article a UNM student talks about her experience at one of the five local Care Net Pregnancy Centers. The student is quoted as saying “I thought they were a Planned Parenthood.” Care Net, a pregnancy support center, has very clear signage on both the exterior of the building and on the door. The student would have walked past three signs announcing she was at Care Net. She would have signed consent for services that explained the scope and limitations of Care Net services. It is mystifying how a university student could be that mistaken.
The student relates that when she stated she wanted to have an abortion, “She (Care Net Representative)told me basically that God was going to send me to hell for doing that” Any statement of this nature would be a gross violation of Care Net policy and is grounds for dismissal (of any employee that would say something like that). Care Net policy requires that we relate medically accurate pregnancy option education in a neutral, compassionate and non-judgmental manner. Clients select or decline services as they choose. No services or information, including spiritual assistance, are to be given without client permission. The theological belief expressed by this statement is also a serious violation of the Care Net statement of faith and practice. The concept that God cannot or will not forgive an offense, in this case abortion, is contrary to our beliefs. Such a view would undermine the help we offer to women and men who come seeking healing from pain over an abortion choice. Those in our pregnancy loss support programs frequently express a need to overcome feelings of grief, guilt and shame. Our goal is to help those who struggle with regret find peace and a renewed relationship with God.
Care Net’s pregnancy support includes helping women locate services for housing assistance, material needs, insurance, food and medical care during pregnancy. During intake we ask clients a number of assessment questions because we assist with a broad range of needs. That assistance continues if the client has further needs during or after the pregnancy. Many of our clients continue to use our services until their child reaches the age of two.
