Pro-Life Resources in Edmonton
As a passionate pro-lifer on the University of Alberta campus from 2014-2018, imagine how surprised I was to hear about The Back Porch for the first time from my ardently pro-choice friend. It’s only now that I realize that I didn’t have any clue as to how many amazing resources are available to parents experiencing an unanticipated pregnancy and pro-life people in Edmonton. To save you from experiencing the same retrospective embarrassment I feel, I decided to compile a list of pro-life resources in and around our fair city. These organizations are truly beacons that demonstrate the love and care many of the Edmonton community have for pre-born children and their parents (and everyone, really).
Saddle up and get ready to hear our (hopefully) exhaustive list! If you have anyone missed, make sure you email us at admin@alies.ca and I’d be happy to add your organization!
This blog post has been written with college and University students particularly in mind, but the content is made for everyone!
Pregnancy Care & Information Centres
Alberta Life Issues Educational Society (ALIES) – Educational
ALIES gathers, develops, and distributes information on a broad range of life issues. These include abortion, euthanasia, reproduction technologies, pregnancy, birth control, and human sexuality.
Their mission is to “educate Albertans on the sanctity and dignity of all human life from conception to natural death to create and promote a culture of life.”
ALIES Operates The Back Porch
The Back Porch - Pregnancy Options Information – Pastoral
Located across the street from the abortion clinic in Edmonton, The Back Porch is an 11th hour ministry that seeks to help abortion-vulnerable women by talking through their pregnancy options.
We offer information on abortion procedures and risks, adoptions referrals and education, referrals for parenting resources. We also offer emotional support and can accompany women through their pregnancies.
If you're interested in seeing what we do, volunteering with us, or praying in our prayer space give us a call at 780-421-9941.
Many of our volunteers regularly work in the medical field as (nurses, doctors, etc.,)
https://www.thebackporch.info/
The Pregnancy Care Centre (PCC) – Pastoral/Educational
The Pregnancy Care Centre is an organization the seeks to help pregnant women understand their options and provide them with support, both emotional and material!
In their own words “Our trained client advocates can assist you during this challenging and emotionally complicated time in your life. We are here to offer accurate, informed education about pregnancy and all pregnancy options. We provide a safe and compassionate space where you can take time to gather information and make an educated decision about your future. Your pregnancy may be unplanned, but your next steps don’t have to be. We offer support and compassion and provide a safe and caring space. We strive to uphold your integrity and to empower you to make the best decision for yourself. Our services are free and confidential.”
Free Services Offered:
Pregnancy tests
Options information on abortion, adoption, and parenting
Unexpected pregnancy support
Pregnancy and parenting classes
Pregnancy and baby essentials (material goods)
Companionship and connection through pregnancy and after birth
Adoption support
Care for women affected by abortion
Healing for sexual hurt
Steps to Sexual Health - is a 10-week individual program that provides a new perspective for individuals dealing with sexual misuse, trauma or abuse.Who is this for?
Any person who feels “broken” in their sexuality.
Any person who feels a sense of shame and regret of their sexual history.
Any person who has experienced childhood sexual trauma.
Program for Teens
WAIT! - a free half-day session specifically designed for junior and senior high school students and youth interest groups. This program encourages teens to make healthy choices about their relationships and sexual activity.
Ph: (780) 424-2624 Email: info@pregnancycarecentre.ca
1-877-424-2685 (outside the Edmonton area)
https://www.pregnancycarecentre.ca/
Abortion Recovery Centre – Pastoral
The Abortion recovery centre is a project of the Pregnancy Care Centre. They provide compassionate and non-judgmental companion-model peer support to help welcome process and heal from abortion-related trauma and grief. They want to reach women and let them know that they are not alone, their emotions and experiences are valid, and that healing is something they can find.
The Gianna Centre - Catholic Social Services – Pastoral
The Gianna centre is an arm of Catholic Social Services. In their own words "they provide information, support, and advocacy for those who are facing an unplanned or difficult pregnancy."
"Our goal is to promote the sanctity of human life, and protect the unborn as well as to help the mother/father who may be in distress. We also strive to provide support to women and their families who are experiencing a pregnancy crisis situation.”
Their free services and supports include:
Pregnancy tests
Information about parenting, adoption, and abortion
Maternity clothes
Baby care items (formula, clothing, diapers, toys, blankets, furniture on occasion, etc.)
Classes for pregnant and post-partum moms and babies
Opportunities for new and expectant moms to gain work experience
They also give referrals for:
Pro-life doctors
Financial support
Housing options
Mercy Counselling
Basically Babies
https://www.cssalberta.ca/Gianna-Centre
Call 780-482-5111 or e-mail: giannacentre@cssalberta.ca
They are located at 9040 95 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6C 1Z3.
Edmonton Pro-Life – Educational
Edmonton Pro-life is a grass roots organization that seeks to promote respect for all human life. In their own words “[their] aims and objectives are to promote respect for all human life from conception to natural death, to uphold and defend the right to life, the basic right on which all other rights depend.”
They provide education for teachers, parents, students, and churches on the ideology behind life issues, parenting, adoption, abortion, post-abortion healing, Infertility, and pregnancy support.
“Are you writing a paper, making a speech, or taking part in a debate about life issues such as cloning, euthanasia, stem cell research, and abortion? Edmonton Prolife has all the resources you need to make your project a success.”
They also run 40 Days for Life in Edmonton!
https://www.edmontonprolife.org/
Also take a peek at their scholarship opportunity for students!
The Wilberforce Project - Political
The Wilberforce Project, named for slavery abolitionist William Wilberforce, is an Albertan Pro-Life Political Organization. Their stated mission is to “[PROTECT] GIRLS, WOMEN AND THE PRE-BORN FROM THE HARM OF ABORTION.
The Wilberforce Project offers political education to Albertans with an eye to educate the populace and help pro-life politicians win elections.
“Established in 1986, The Wilberforce Project is dedicated to fighting for MORE information, MORE protection, and MORE support for girls, women and the pre-born.”
https://www.thewilberforceproject.ca/
Go to their web-page to read about their current political victories and their currently strategies!
Pro-Life Alberta- Political
In their own words, “Prolife Alberta is a group of women and men committed to promoting pro-life public policy in Alberta, through politics. We believe that all human life deserves protection, especially innocent human life.”
Their organization works by:
1. Bringing the pro-life message to more Albertans than would otherwise be reached – including during provincial elections;
2. Compelling political candidates and incumbents to discuss abortion, an issue they would rather neglect;
3. Offering tax-credits for financial contributions.
https://prolifealberta.com/
Alberta March for Life – Pastoral
The Alberta March for Life’s mission is to “promulgate the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death and the dignity of disabled people.”
Their main project is putting on the annual March for Life, where peaceful pro-lifers gather to hear speakers, share stories and educational material, and raise public awareness about pro-life issues.
This event is an excellent way to meet pro-life people and help the Edmonton community really understand the importance of life issues to many of its citizens!
https://albertamarchforlife.com/
Armed with this new information, we hope you can go forward into the world and help people in your life who may be experiencing unanticipated pregnancies, end of life issues, or just need some help!