Cincinnati Right to Life (CRTL) is on a mission to shut down Planned Parenthood in Cincinnati. To achieve this goal, they are recruiting and training volunteers to join them in sidewalk advocacy. In just a few short months they have trained and stationed dozens of advocates on the sidewalk thanks to the Sidewalk Advocates for Life program. It is, however, the addition of their newest ‘team member’ that has generated new buzz around their efforts: a mobile ultrasound van. Now, one day a week, the advocates have a new and effective tool that enables them to save even more lives from the sidewalk.
It all began a few months ago when Created Equal, an organization based in Columbus, Ohio, purchased the van. In the changing abortion landscape sculpted by the tragic passing of Issue One, Created Equal, and many pro-life groups, recognized that Ohio was quickly becoming a hotspot for abortion access. Women from the surrounding states where abortion was still banned were beginning to flock specifically to Cincinnati. Since the van could not be deployed without the presence of trained sidewalk advocates, a partnership was forged between Created Equal and CRTL. With the help of Pregnancy Center West, an ultrasound technician was secured and the van was finally deployed in May.
The van works as a crisis intervention tool. It is there as a last stop for the abortion minded woman on her way into Planned Parenthood. Statistics show that after a woman sees the child that grows inside her womb, she is less likely to continue with an abortion. After the woman decides to cancel her abortion, the ultrasound technician, and the sidewalk advocates, refer her to one of the many Pregnancy Care Centers in our region for free continued care. Ultimately, CRTL would like to have this van and the sidewalk advocates present on Auburn Avenue every single day and hour that Planned Parenthood is open. So far, with only being present once a week, the van has already directly saved two lives! To increase that glorious number CRTL needs only two things: More trained sidewalk advocates, and more ultrasound technicians willing to work in the van.
While the average reader may not be equipped to help with the latter need, everyone is able to discern whether they are called to join this mission on the sidewalk. Adam Schad, the Director of Community Development for CRTL, and the leader of their sidewalk advocacy efforts, has these words to share in that regard:
“The Lord continues to equip us and strengthen this initiative; If you feel called to join us on the sidewalk of Auburn Avenue, God will work through you to save his children. We must continue to surrender everything to Him, who ultimately decides when this evil will end. If you can’t join us for outreach, pray; pray for the protection of the lives of the unborn; pray for the conversion of the hearts and minds of the mothers, fathers, and workers going to the abortion facility on Auburn Avenue; and ultimately, pray that all evil may be driven out from this abortion facility.”
If you are interested in joining this ministry the next Sidewalk Advocacy training session will be held on Saturday June 15th from 9am to 12pm at the Cincinnati Right to Life Office (1802 Galbraith Road Cincinnati Ohio 45239). RSVP Here.
By: Emily Branscum and Adam Schad
