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The Essential Point
Canada's choice not to fund abortions with foreign aid dollars isn't about keeping women in their place, it's an ethical decision to value human life.
After being spared the angry debate for a generation, Canada's Parliament is dividing anew over this hot policy potato, this time on the right of women in Africa to access safe abortions procured with Canadian monetary assistance.
Vancouver's St. Paul's Hospital is setting up its own version of the "foundling wheel," an idea first used in medieval Europe so mothers could leave unwanted babies at convents.
Hearing Set on Oklahoma Abortion Lawsuit
By Julie Bisbee NewsOK.com
Women became emotional and some cried after being shown fetal ultrasound images at Tulsa abortion clinic Wednesday, a day after Oklahoma enacted what has been called the nation's most restrictive abortion law. |
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What's In Our Life Kit?
 We have recently completed the highly anticipated Pregnancy Resource Guide. This document will be made available to women facing an unplanned pregnancy enabling them to make an informed, life-affirming decision. Initial feedback from doctors and other medical professionals has given us great confidence that this resource will provide pregnant women with the information and support needed to help them think through their options before making any final decisions. We are currently distributing this resource as a pilot project before moving ahead with our official launch.
Check out some of the initial feedback we have had on this resource!
"Your use of "You have a right to know" here and throughout the entire booklet is key to the approach and tone of the guide, and I applaud your choice in building the resource around this concept. I think it will draw your young, prospective moms in." Cheryl Ashton (Public Educator)
"A beautifully produced document. Very comprehensive, taking a fair and balanced approach." Terry 0'Neill (Journalist and Author)
"This woman-centered, easy to read document will be of help to women and teen girls and it will save the lives of children. No doubt." Brian Norton (Executive Director, Crisis Pregnancy Centres of Vancouver and Burnaby) |
 On April 16th and 17th, Signal Hill hosted a Life Conference with the theme Life Has Never Looked Better! We invited Organization Member Groups from all over the province to join us for this special event to be encouraged, learn about evolving technology and to think of new ways that we can support each other. We started the weekend off with a warm evening of conversation, tasty treats, music and a keynote address by journalist, Terry O'Neil.
On Saturday we reaped the benefits of 3 informative sessions led by industry professionals in the areas of marketing, social networking and research.
We learned about online technology in which a world of users communicate in a manner that can sometimes be viewed as intimidating to those who have never experienced it. Some of the dominant trends in social networking were discussed and we were invited to capitalize on these quickly evolving modes of communication.
We also learned why and how to collect data and the benefits of both in an effective marketing campaign. One of the topics highlighted was the use of language in relation to our target audience.
At the end of the conference, Signal Hill was able to present some of our most recent outreach tools and programs. One of the tools that generated an enthusiastic response was the Pregnancy Resource Guide, which you can read about above. Excitement is mounting around this valuable resource and ideas were generated on where this tool could be utilized.
Overall, there was a positive sense of re-connecting with friends in this important, life-affirming work. Through discussion, brainstorming and educational sessions we left feeling challenged and encouraged. Life Has Never Looked Better! |
Vital Connections
Engaging online communities:
Signal Hill recognizes that social networking sites are an extremely effective communication tool and is working hard to capitalize on some of the largest and fastest growing social networking technologies. Signal Hill has recently launched a Facebook Fan Page, a Twitter page and a YouTube account. The success of these mediums depends on people like you to get involved and help spread the word. If you are an active member of any of these communities, we encourage you to take part and promote them to your friends. That's the beauty of social networking, it can spider web far beyond our own reach. There are a few simple ways that you can help:
Facebook Page:
Action item: If you have a Facebook account, please become a fan of our Facebook Page and invite your friends to join as well.
This page is an opportunity for Signal Hill to engage a community of people in discussions about current life-issues in the media, offer information about counselling and support, and recruit people to help Signal Hill through online contests and polls. By inviting your friends, Signal Hill will have a broader influence and more women and families will be reached with life-affirming information.
Action item: If you are a member of the Twitter community, we encourage you to follow Signal Hill.
This tool is incredibly effective in offering outreach and support information to younger demographics. Sometimes younger women are intimidated by the thought of making a phone call to the helpline but would be comfortable with reaching out for help on a familiar internet medium. Signal Hill's tweets include invitations for support during unplanned pregnancy and post abortion situations, links to compassionate YouTube videos and informative updates about what is happening in the news to provoke discussion on life-issues.
YouTube:
Action item: Check out our ads and consider promoting one of these compassionate ads on your Facebook page, Twitter page, or blog.
Signal Hill has already posted 3 of the most well recieved outreach ads we have aired on television. These videos are accessible to anyone online and have already been viewed by many.
We depend on you to help us grow these communities in order to reach a wider audience with life-affirming information. Please consider helping promote these sites today. All of the links are live so don't hesitate to visit these sites now. It's a small gesture that would only take you a minute but by spreading the word you could affect someone in a really big way. Thank you so much! |
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