There are a number of issues which divide American society right now, but probably none is so passionately contested on both sides as abortion.
In the battle for Life, there are many strategies:
- — legislative campaigns, which have made some headway on the state level;
- — clinic-based ministries which reach pregnant young women;
- — media-based information campaigns on billboards, in magazines and newspapers, in direct mailings.
But now there is an effort being made to reach into the abortion industry in a whole new way, by communicating directly with the abortion workers, many of whom are just as conflicted as anyone else on this issue. And Then There Were None (ATTWN), which grew out of the 40 Days For Life ministry, was founded by former abortion clinic worker Abby Johnson, who left the industry in 2009.
ATTWN appeals to the consciences of these workers (overwhelmingly women), counselling and encouraging them in the sometimes difficult decision to quit their jobs in the industry. Although only a little over a year old, ATTWN has helped 38 workers to leave the abortion business and secure other work.
I’m most impressed by the sensitive, non-exploitive approach followed by this organization. On their FAQ page I found this statement:
Our goal is not to create new pro-life speakers. The primary goal of ATTWN is to draw clinic workers out of the abortion industry and set them on a path to recovery. Once a clinic worker has come to terms with what he or she has witnessed and participated in during the time working in the clinic (this can take months, years, or even decades), then they can make a rational, conscious decision whether to come forward and go public with their testimony…or they may decide to never go public with their story.
Once a road to recovery has been established, if a former worker desires to speak out, ATTWN will support them entirely (this includes legal support). However, ATTWN will never push or require a former worker to reveal their identity or come out with their story publicly. Do not break confidentiality of former workers.
Want to be MORE impressed? Here is a list of what they seek to provide to a worker who leaves her job in the abortion industry:
- Up to three months of financial support after a worker resigns
- Emotional support as often as needed during the transition time
- A spiritual advisor of the former worker’s choosing
- Legal counsel who will protect the worker’s interests at no cost during transition
Wow! Financial, emotional, spiritual and legal support?! That’s comprehensive, you’ll have to agree. And they do this completely through donations.
I cannot find any indication on their website that they’ve secured 501(c) 3 status, so I don’t know whether your donation is tax-deductible. Their donation page is powered by a company called EGiving, which appears legitimate. I am not endorsing either ATTWN or EGiving, since I have had no personal contact with them.
I simply wanted to bring to your attention an organization which is taking the battle for our culture to the hearts and minds that can make a difference. After all, if there are no workers, then there will be no clinics…and when there are no clinics, there will be no abortions.
Quixotic? Yes. But only if no one jumps on board with their vision.
Give them a look.
Two Heads are Better Than One 
Just a couple of thoughts from others of note:
Mother Teresa: “It is a poverty that to decide that A CHILD MUST DIE so that you may live as you wish.”
Jonathan Swift: “Power is no blessing in itself, except when it is used to protect the innocent.”
Too many want to afford EVERY benefit to the guilty murderer, yet have NO PROBLEM with drilling a hole in a baby’s skull and KILLING it. Our President VOTED for such actions in his support of partial birth abortion.
Along with all of the sex-ed some want to promote in our schools, perhaps they should also be showing a video of THAT happening.
Thanks for this. I’ll check out their site. That entire approach has the characteristics of our Lord’s approach. Like the woman at the well: Educate, repent, forgive, disciple them.
our president also introduced a bill in Illinios to allow born alive aborted babies to die. He is so deluded and blind. Pray for him.
Thanks for blogging about this and I, like many, have never heard of this. Overturning Roe v. Wade is an uphill battle at best and we’ve seen how GOP candidates turn off moderates when they talk about it. I feel it is a far better use of our resources to stop abortion through methods like you describe in this blog post. Educate the public to limit the demand and help those in the industry get out of it (limiting the supply).
Agreed, Cosmo.
When GBL mentioned this to me the other day, I was almost mad we hadn’t thought of this earlier!
😉
Changing minds and hearts, my friend.
Every day.
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