The Truth About WPC- A Response to the NARAL Report

Uncategorized

August 25, 2010

The National Abortion Rights Action League (“NARAL”) published a report in July of 2010 under the title: Unmasking Fake Clinics: The Truth about Crisis Pregnancy Centers in California.

From what we know, the report was paid for and commissioned by the California branch of NARAL and supported by Planned Parenthood and other abortion-on-demand organizations. The claims in the document seem to be based on the findings of NARAL volunteers, who were dispatched to make disguised visits to a small sample of life-affirming pregnancy centers and clinics in California (14 out of approximately 200, for a total of 7%).

While there are many discrepancies in the report, we wanted to address the most glaring accusations that relate directly to WPC. In addition to mentioning WPC specifically by name, the report inaccurately represents pregnancy clinics as a whole and lumps WPC in with their dubious and misleading conclusions.

Summary of Claims Set Forth in the NARAL Report:

NARAL Claim: “The mission of CPCs is to discourage women from choosing abortion through persuasive counseling and by providing what is often incomplete and medically inaccurate information (examples: convincing women that condoms are ineffective or ‘implying’ women will have mental health problems after an abortion).”

TRUTH: WPC educates on all pregnancy options and specializes in parenting, adoption and post-abortion resources and support.

TRUTH: WPC educates abortion-minded clients about the procedure and medically documented health risks, per the direction of the Medical Director, Dr. James Moran, OB/GYN. WPC does not refer for or provide abortions, but it does have a post-abortion care program that assists men and women who are hurting from a past abortion(s). For over 30 years, men and women have regularly sought our help after their abortion experience, repeatedly indicating that the program encouraged forgiveness, healing and personal transformation.

TRUTH: WPC does not cite or rely on “incomplete or medically inaccurate information.” WPC medical professionals cite accurate statistical numbers and rates (per the Center for Disease Control) of condom protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV, and it allows individuals to decide for themselves whether condoms are effective or ineffective. The data we present is objective in nature; we simply provide information so that our clients can make informed pregnancy and sexual health choices.

NARAL Claim: “CPCs are Unlicensed Clinics, and if licensed – only have a volunteer physician on the board or a volunteer nurse on staff.”

TRUTH: WPC is licensed by the State of California as a Community Care Clinic and operates under the leadership of its Medical Director. The clinic staff includes a paid Physician, Nurse Practitioners, and Registered Nurses. However, it is unclear why NARAL objects to licensed “volunteers” as it appears they are objecting to any community medical clinic where doctors and nurses “volunteer” their time to provide medical care to low income families. Such is the case at the majority of Community Care Clinics serving Los Angeles.

NARAL Claim: “CPCs are staffed by volunteer counselors, with no medical training.”

TRUTH: Medical counseling at WPC is conducted by Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses and Physicians. WPC also offers on-site professional counseling through its Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) Program. Intake and peer counseling is conducted by lay individuals and is fully disclosed to clients before such counseling begins.

NARAL Claim: “CPCs are operated by anti-choice organizations such as NIFLA, CareNet, etc.”

TRUTH: WPC is an independently operated community-based clinic and is not operated or affiliated with any national organization.

NARAL Claim: “CPCs abuse options counseling by not presenting the full range of reproductive options.”

TRUTH: WPC’s medical and counseling staff educate women and men on all of their options when facing an unplanned pregnancy: parenting, adoption, and abortion. WPC specializes in parenting, adoption, and post-abortion support.

TRUTH: WPC does not profit from any decision a client may make and therefore is not motivated to withhold information or to sway a client toward one option. Indeed, it is WPC’s understanding from clients who have visited organizations like Planned Parenthood, that they do not present “the full range of reproductive options” because they typically do not encourage or support alternatives to an abortion.

NARAL Claim: “CPCs make a concerted effort to conceal their anti-choice agenda by adopting misleading names, falsely advertising as abortion clinics and by preying on low-income minority communities for the purpose of manipulating women into parenting or adoption.”

TRUTH: WPC’s name appropriately and truthfully reflects the services offered to the public. WPC expressly states that it does not provide or refer for abortion on its website, on all client paperwork, and in telephone counseling sessions. WPC also recently opened a clinic in the Crenshaw District of South Los Angeles, which is 76% African American, to address the staggering rates of abortion and STIs in that community. The Crenshaw clinic is surrounded by more than six abortion-providing facilities. The African American community (which is five times more likely to have an abortion than Caucasians ) has embraced WPC as its first alternative to abortion. Pro-life and pro-choice supporters are championing the opening of this site and herald its efforts to bring true choice to the women and men of South Los Angeles.

NARAL Claim: “There are 4,000 CPCs and only 800 Abortion clinics in the country.”

TRUTH: In West and South LA, there are approximately 50 abortion-providing clinics compared to just two life-affirming clinics, both of which are operated by WPC.

TRUTH: The actual number of life-affirming centers and clinics and adoption agencies is much closer to 2,500 nationally. Of those 2,500, only 700 are medical clinics — which means that NARAL agrees that nationally more abortion clinics (800) exist than CPCs with medical facilities. Moreover, the 800 abortion clinics in the Country do not include the thousands of private physicians who perform abortions in their offices, health clinics and local hospitals.

CLAIM DIRECTED AT WPC:

NARAL Claim: “Across the Nation, CPCs receive federal and state funding. Specifically, WPC inappropriately received $25,000 in 2004.”

TRUTH: WPC (then Westside Pregnancy Resource Center) received a one-time grant of $25,000 in 2004, from First 5 LA, an organization created by California voters to invest tobacco tax revenues in programs for improving the lives of children in Los Angeles Country. The grant specifically funded our parenting program (Earn and Learn) and revisions to the website. It is unclear why NARAL objects to a modest state grant that provided direct assistance to new mothers and fathers who chose to raise their children instead of undergoing an abortion.

TRUTH: WPC does not receive federal funding and is ineligible to do so because we do not provide or refer for abortions.

TRUTH: With the exception of less than $7000/year in Medi-Cal reimbursements, WPC is funded entirely by individuals and foundations, with no expense to the taxpayer. Contrast our funding sources with those that fund Planned Parenthood (PP), which receives more than $300 million annually in taxpayer money. In addition, PP in California is currently under investigation for overbilling the state and federal government more than $180 million for birth control drugs.

What’s Next For NARAL?
According to the report, NARAL Pro-Choice California Foundation will next work with elected officials to enact a disclaimer bill similar to one that is currently in place in Baltimore, Maryland. The limited-service pregnancy centers disclaimers bill states that all CPCs must clearly post in English and Spanish that they do not provide or make referrals for abortion services or birth control.

What’s Next for WPC Supporters?
• Continue to educate yourself and your sphere of influence (friends, church, colleagues) about this cause and the battle we are facing.
• Continue to support the grassroots efforts of WPC and the cause.
• Consider who you might know to be a key player should legislation arise (public and elected officials, media, attorneys, etc.).

I hope that this has opened your eyes to the battle we face together and inspired you to educate those around you about this important cause that we hold dear. I’m honored to partner with you and thank you for your continued prayers and support. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, I can be reached at (310) 268-8400 or at talitha@wpclinic.org.

For a full copy of the NARAL report visit: http://www.prochoicecalifornia.org/issues/cpc.shtml


Gala Sponsor Message from Marshall Brown

Uncategorized

In 2008, Charles and Jean Kim asked me to join them as their guest at the Westside Pregnancy Gala. I had heard a little bit about the WPC but knew very little about what they did. The gala was an eye-opener on several fronts. First of all, it was great to walk into the room and see so many friends. One of the pleasures of friendships is service in a common cause. Seeing so many people I knew rallying behind the WPC was my first clue that I might want to be more involved.

But it was the presentation that really impressed me. More than the very moving personal stories it was actually a statistic that got my attention. African American women, if my memory serves me, are 5 times more likely to have an abortion than Caucasian women. This stunned me and the description given that night of ‘racial genocide’ struck me as both awful and appropriate. This statistic had evidently lodged in the minds of the WPC leadership as well. After sharing this, Talitha told of the WPC’s plans to open a clinic in the heart of South Central Los Angeles to confront the problem. Here was an organization that had a history on the Westside of Los Angeles but who recognized a pressing need in another part of the city and was doing something about it. No one would ever have faulted the WPC had they stayed committed to women in West LA – but they did not.

That night I wrote my first check to the WPC. But the relationship was just beginning. A few months later, I signed up as a volunteer to help with the re-modeling of the new clinic in South Central – LA. Since then, I have played in the WPC golf tournament, spoken to the WPC staff and sponsored my own table at the Gala. This year I am thrilled that several of the people whom I hosted at my table last year are sponsoring their own table! The invitation that Charles and Jean Kim made to me in 2008 will probably result in no less than 5 tables being sponsored in 2010. I am excited for this year’s event in an even larger venue. I am more excited to see where the WPC is headed in serving our great city.


WPC 2010 Gala Sponsor Tips

Uncategorized

    Pre Event

Tip #1: Think carefully about who you plan to invite.
Consider the following:
• Who already has a heart for and commitment to this cause? Who might develop a heart and commitment by coming to this event?
• Who is new to Westside Pregnancy Clinic? We have various opportunities throughout the year for those who already know us. This event is for us to build new relationships.
• Who is well connected in their community?
• Who has the funds to donate to the cause?

Specific examples may include: Doctors, nurses, school and church leaders, elected officials, adoptive parents, counselors, etc.

Tip #2: Call your guests before sending an invitation.
• It may be tempting to skip this step, but our experience has shown this to be critically important! This step adds the personal touch that is the foundation for our success in these events.

Tip #3: Follow up with interested guests by sending a paper invitation (invitations will be distributed at the gala sponsor parties in September).
• We can email your invitations directly to your guests if necessary, but it is preferable that you send paper invitations. There is something nice about receiving old-fashioned paper invitations, particularly when you will be alerting your guests ahead of time to look for the invite in the mail.

Tip #4: Invite twice the number of guests needed as half will not be able to attend.
• Each table seats up to 10 people.

Tip #5: Track your RSVP’s.
• We will communicate with you regularly to let you know if we’ve received replies at the WPC office and compare notes. ☺

Tip #6: Contact WPC as soon as possible if you find that you cannot fill your table.
• If you are unable to fill the table, we are happy to seat additional guests with you. Our goal is that the room is 100% full and that close to 80% of guests are new to the cause!

    During the Event

Tip #1: Arrive at 5:30pm for the cocktail hour at to greet your guests as they arrive.
• Check-in and get your name tag.
• Let sign-in table attendants know if you have any last minute changes to your guest list.
• Enjoy the cocktail hour and greet your guests as they arrive.

Tip #2: Be seated at your table 10 minutes before dinner begins in case your guests are looking
for you.
• Familiarize yourself with the table and the location of the response cards, pens, etc.
• Let a volunteer know if you are short on cards or pens.

Tip #3: Listen for verbal cues from speakers on stage.
• Distribute response cards & envelopes.
• Place completed cards and donations into the bag on the table
• Watch to see that a WPC volunteer or staff member picks up the bags of response cards and donations, and no one else. If no one comes to collect the bag at the appropriate time, please find and pass along to a WPC volunteer or staff member.

Tip #4: Enjoy the event!

    After the Event

Tip #1: Consider calling your guests within 48 hours to thank them for attending.

Tip #2: Ask for event feedback.
• Find out if they are interested in becoming more involved with WPC.
• Consider meeting them at WPC for a tour of our facilities.

THANK YOU FOR SERVING IN THIS INCREDIBLE WAY! WE ARE HONORED TO PARTNER WITH YOU.

previous »
Next Page »