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Volunteers needed to save lives

Birthright of Vancouver, whose mandate is to counsel and help women in crisis pregnancies, is experiencing a volunteer crisis.

Since 1970, when the organization opened its first office, four centers have been established in the Lower Mainland: Vancouver, Surrey – Delta, Burnaby, and North Vancouver.

The Vancouver office now keeps business hours 9:30 – 5:00 Monday to Friday and 12:00 -4:00 Saturday. People have come to expect someone to be there all day in fact, more clients drop in than make appointments, said a spokeswoman.

However, a recent falling off in the number of active volunteers makes prospects for the summer break. Some volunteers have left to have babies, while others have been obligated to back work for economic reasons. Several newly trained volunteers are students who have to get summer jobs or mothers who have to be home with their own children when school is out.

Birthright Vancouver is inviting all former volunteers, regardless of where they have served, to become active again. In addition, new volunteers are welcomed and trained on the job.

Volunteers need only four qualifications:

• To believe that it is the right of every pregnant woman to give birth and the right of every child to be born.
• to be willing to make a regular commitment.
• to be good listeners.
• to be positive, charitable, and non-judgmental in word and attitude towards all expectant mothers.

“The work definitely has its rewards,” said the spokeswoman. “You know you are saving the lives of babies. For instance, there were 12 new babies on our 1992 Christmas party list –  all babies of mothers who had come at a crisis time in their pregnancy.”

“You are there for a young teenager whose parents are pressuring her into abortion, to support her in her stand to protect herself and her baby. You have the pleasure of seeing the mothers and children return to visit over the years and to offer help,” she said. ” A special reward is to hear something like: my friend told me to call Birthright; she says you really helped her”

Birthright is supported financially and materially by the Catholic Women’s League, The Knights of Columbus, Women’s Auxiliary, and countless individuals.

“But the basic work can not be done without committed volunteers, “the spokeswoman said.