About Us Here are some frequently asked questions about
Alternatives: What
communities do you serve? Our center is located in Greenfield,
Massachusetts. Alternatives has been
helping women and men in the Pioneer Valley (Hampshire and Franklin Counties)
since it was founded in 1987.
Currently we do not have an office in Northampton, but if you are from
the Five College Area, we can arrange to meet with you in Northampton or
Amherst. Why
are you called “Alternatives”? Alternatives was founded in 1987 to fill the gap in
women’s health services that made it difficult for women to get information
about abortion, its effect on women, and women’s alternatives to abortion
when faced with an unplanned or problem pregnancy. That gap has changed since the 80’s, but women still find it
hard to get accurate information on the risks or complications connected with
abortion. And a woman may still feel
alone when she makes a decision about her baby and her future. Alternatives is here to offer alternatives
to the abortion that she fears is the only way out of a hard situation. Talking with a counselor can be a first
step to a creative, healthy choice for all persons involved. What
is your philosophy? At Alternatives we believe that women deserve
accurate information and the freedom to choose without pressure or judgment.
We believe the obstacles a woman faces can be resolved – that the decision
regarding an unplanned pregnancy can be made with clarity and hope. We believe that this moment in a girl’s or
woman’s life can be an opportunity to value herself more highly, to care for
herself by the decisions she makes.
We are here to offer hope and support. Alternatives is a Christian organization, and thereby seeks to
bring dignity and hope to those we serve. Are
you pro-life or pro-choice? Alternatives seeks to stay “out of the fray” and
avoids the political arena when it comes to the abortion debate. Our work is with you and your future. We believe each individual is responsible
for his or her own actions. The decisions that come with an unplanned
pregnancy, therefore, are ones that should be thoughtfully researched and
considered. We value a woman’s
choices and take them seriously. We
value life – the life of the mother, the father, the life of the baby – and
we offer our services because abortion has been known to be a painful and
hurtful choice for the many women who choose it. Do you
refer for abortion? No, we do not refer for abortion and are not
connected to any group that does abortions.
What we do offer is information about abortion procedures and findings
from scientific research regarding abortion. How is
Alternatives funded? Alternatives is a non-profit agency completely
funded by individual donations. Our
volunteers are nurses, social workers, teachers, parents, and business
professionals who support Alternatives with their experience and their time. How
can I be involved? Alternatives’ success depends on a network of caring
persons in the communities we serve.
If you are interested in being part of this vital safety net for those
facing unplanned pregnancy, please call our office at 774-6010. |