CLIENT STORIES

Maria's Story

Maria came to our Wheeling location looking for pregnancy verification and an options consultation. She first met with the nurse, whom she told she had an abortion with her previous boyfriend and had felt pressured into that decision. She was facing a similar situation in which she was more open to keeping this baby, but her current boyfriend felt that he was not in a financial position to support a child. He was already working two jobs to support himself. Our client was living with her mother at the time and only working part time. She was unsure of her own finances, especially because she did not have insurance. Her one comfort was that she believed her mom would be supportive of the pregnancy. The nurse urged Maria to come back a few days later for an ultrasound exam. When she returned with her boyfriend, they saw their baby’s heartbeat and received pictures of the ultrasound. Initially, the parents were emotional when seeing the baby on the ultrasound screen. Once back in the consultation room, however, the boyfriend again started to feel overwhelmed and thought that abortion would be the best option. The client advocate was able to address some of those fears by helping the couple realize that there were other options and support to help them through the pregnancy. Maria left undecided but agreed to keep in contact with her client advocate. A few days later, Maria reached out and told her advocate that she decided to parent. Since then, she has participated in our BrightCourse program, and her boyfriend has become very supportive of her decision to choose life for their child.

Chasty's Story

Chasty met her child’s father in 2019 when she was working as a receptionist at a rooftop restaurant in Chicago. While they dated, Chasty moved into her first apartment, started a great job at a large bank and dreamed of going to school. In December of 2023, she learned she was pregnant. Her boyfriend convinced her to have an abortion before, but Chasty knew this time she wouldn’t let anything or anyone keep her from having that baby. Chasty knew it would be hard, but she trusted in God’s plan. In January 2024, she lost her job and quickly fell behind in her bills while looking for a new job. An internet search led her to Aid for Women. Her baby’s father assured her that he was committed to help, but it soon became clear that he had changed his mind. He began treating Chasty as an enemy, and he became verbally abusive toward her. Chasty was four months pregnant when she first came to Aid for Women. She says, “I was looking for a place to live, but I found so much more. I moved into Heather’s House and was given so much support, not just with my material and physical needs, but also with my emotional and spiritual needs. I was given a community, a home, and a place to feel safe. My sweet baby, Zerahi is six months old now, and I’m grateful for her every day. She helps me to push through and be a better person. Chasty continues, “I give all thanks to God for helping me find Aid for Women…I thank all who support Aid for Women, for your prayers for my success and for the success of all the women like me that Aid for Women serves. It is your generosity that makes the life-saving work of Aid for Women possible!”

Nikki's Story

Nikki was transitioning out of her home and her career when she found out that she was pregnant. With no steady work or place to live, all of the important people in her life were telling her she wasn’t responsible enough to be a mother and that she would be ruining her life if she had her baby. There was a part of her that believed what they said. She knew her lifestyle wasn’t good for a baby, but her love for her little baby won out and she found Aid for Women. Still uncertain, she wanted to confirm her pregnancy. When she met with the Aid for Women nurse and advocate, they were the first people to offer her the help that she needed. They made her feel confident that she could keep her baby. After a few months, she moved into Heather’s House and immediately felt at home. The staff made her feel loved and supported. The community with the other moms helped her grow in confidence and affirmed her in her decision to be a mother. Her healthy baby boy, Kayden, was born, and Nikki was able to work to support herself and her baby. Nikki says, “Without Aid for Women, I wouldn’t be the strong woman I am becoming. I have a safe place where I can continue to grow as a woman and a mother.”