15 Ways to Make an Impact After the March for Life
By Therese Aukofer, Pro-Life Wisconsin Program Director
It’s been a week since the March for Life, and our work isn’t over, it is just beginning! Are you looking for ways to get involved with the pro-life movement year-round? Pro-Life Wisconsin has got you covered! Please prayerfully consider supporting these specific programs by volunteering, bringing the pro-life message to your community, or donating here.
1. SAVE LIVES
Save Lives: Sidewalk Counselor Training Program recruits and trains sidewalk counselors who speak to mothers and fathers directly outside of abortion facilities. The program also provides resources that counselors give to moms and dads outside abortion facilities. Effective sidewalk counselors make a life or death difference when they speak to young parents in the most loving and convincing way because their words can help save the life of the preborn baby. By encouraging parents to choose life for their child and directing them to free help at pregnancy resource centers, countless families are saved from the anguish of abortion.
2. ACT LOCAL
Act Local Affiliate Program supports local, grassroots and no-exception pro-life organizations in Wisconsin. It remains one of the most critical ways to build a culture of life and save preborn lives. Through this program we maintain a close relationship with our affiliates through providing materials, training, support and resources. Well-equipped affiliates are most effective in educating their hometowns and communities with the pro-life message.
3. ENGAGING WISCONSIN
Engaging Wisconsin: Formal Events and Fundraisers Program is responsible for the formal events and fundraisers. In the Spring, the Living Courage Awards Dinners celebrate life, honor a legislator of the year and an activist of the year, and serve as a forum to learn from a respected pro-life keynote speaker.
4. HELPING BOTH
Helping Both: Pregnancy Support Program assists Moms & Dads and their preborn babies through crisis pregnancy support resources, baby bottle campaigns, #GivingTuesday, onesies and pregnancy resource center assistance. Helping Both also provides burial vessels and ultrasound support to Moms & Dads in need.
5. BRIGHTER FUTURE
Brighter Future: Youth Education and Outreach Program shares the pro-life message at schools, churches, youth retreats and events as well as educational conferences and our annual prayer card contest. Brighter Future Program emphasizes engaging youth from a facts-based approach and using multimedia to reiterate the truth of human life and dignity, personhood and debunking the myths encouraged by the abortion industry. The age group ranges from elementary to high school.
6. SPEAKERS BUREAU
Nurturing Life Speakers’ Bureau Program offers a variety of speakers with extensive knowledge on a diverse range of pro-life topics. Any school, church, or PLW affiliate can request a speaker through Pro-Life Wisconsin at no cost.
7. CAMPUS ALIVE
Campus Alive College Program provides mentoring, funding, resources and encouragement to help pro-life college campus groups in Wisconsin deepen a Love for Life. Often the pro-life club is the first point of contact for a woman unsure of keeping or ending her pregnancy. Sadly, women studying at Wisconsin colleges and universities remain the largest social group at risk of getting a surgical or chemical abortion. College-aged men can experience devastating effects of abortion when they realize their son or daughter was killed without their knowledge. Providing abortion alternatives and post-abortive healing educational resources for pro-life college clubs can help women and men in crisis situations.
8. MARRY ME FIRST
Marry Me First: Chastity Education Program educates youth and young adults (middle school through college) on the meaning and importance of chastity. Educating on this topic helps lower promiscuity and unintended pregnancies which often leads to the temptation of aborting an unborn child. The title of the program is a statement in of itself and encourages youth to save sex for marriage. The practice of chastity when single will set a strong foundation for natural family planning for married couples, chastity within marriage or religious/clergy vocations.
9. NEVER A BURDEN
Never a Burden: Medical Decision Making & End of Life Program helps adults and elderly prepare for difficult medical decisions and end-of-life issues, through workshops and distribution of our Protective Power of Attorney for Health Care (PPAHC) document. PPAHC empowers Wisconsinites with a pro-life legal document that gives legal, and moral peace of mind well in advance of crisis situations.
10. SPEAK TO THE CULTURE
Speak to the Culture Prayer Vigils and Rallies Program hosts peaceful prayer vigils and demonstrations throughout the year and promotes local prayer campaigns. The vigils and rallies have various pro-life themes and messages with emphasis on peaceful and prayerful witness to the general public.
11. UNPLANNED
Bring the Movie Unplanned to your parish! Based off the true story of former Planned Parenthood Clinic Director, Abby Johnson, this film courageously exposes the tragedy of abortion and lovingly encourages advocacy on behalf of the most vulnerable. Referred to as the Uncle Tom’s Cabin of the pro-life movement, this film is sure to impact the hearts and minds of all its’ viewers.
12. ONE PERSON AT A TIME
One Person at a Time: General Educational Outreach Program brings the pro-life message to everyone, person by person. We do this through participation in public events such as parades, county fairs, churches, schools and other events including fundraisers at the parish level.
13. TRUE TO LIFE MEDIA
True to Life Media Campaign Program spreads the pro-life message through online media, print ads, billboards, radio and other media outlets. Often young mothers considering abortion turn to their phone or other electronic devices to help them make a decision. We are there with life affirming content that helps point to the dignity and personhood of every human life at any stage.
14. 40 DAYS FOR LIFE
Forty Days for Life is all about prayer, fasting and public outreach. The worldwide campaign starts Wednesday, February 26th and goes through April 5th. There are multiple locations in Wisconsin to join in prayer and public outreach! If you or your campaign needs a sign, we can ship you one or as many as you need!
15. MARCH FOR LIFE
March for Life Program brings local Wisconsinites from around the state to join the annual marches in Chicago and Washington DC. Locally, pro-lifers hold prayer vigils and gatherings to mark the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade ruling. This program engages all ages and is heavily attended by youth, chaperones and long-time supporters.