BIRTHRIGHT VANCOUVER BC

Who we are

For over 50 years, Birthright Vancouver has. continued to provide free, nonjudgmental, confidential, loving support to women who are pregnant or think they may be. Regardless of a woman’s circumstances, Birthright provides friendship and support, focused on helping her make a realistic plan for her future, and the future of her unborn child.

How to donate

1. Send a cheque to our mailing address. Cheques must be made out to “Birthright of Vancouver”.

2. Make a donation at CanadaHelps.org and search for “Birthright of Vancouver”, or scan the QR code beside with your device.

Director’s Report

It’s with great pride and gratitude that we highlight Birthright Vancouver’s achievements over the past year. Our collective efforts have positively impacted the lives of multiple individuals. Indeed, six of our clients received aid through vario

us support programs. Notably, housing assistance, gift cards for necessities, and much needed medical expenses. Our support directly contributed to saving six precious lives, a testament to the significance of our mission. One of our success stories involves aiding a pregnant student, enabling her to pay for course tuition and welcome her baby into a more secure environment.

Our commitment to fostering a supportive community extended globally, as we sponsored two volunteers to attend the International Birthright Conventions held in Chicago this June. Such engagements reinforce our dedication to broadening our reach and sharing experiences on an international platform. This year marked several significant events in our calendar. The Mass for Birthright on May 20th served as a poignant moment of reflection and solidarity within our community.

Additionally, our fundraiser, the Birthright Walk on June 3rd, was a success, showcasing the unwavering support of our volunteers and contributors.

The “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” event as a volunteer appreciation gathering was instrumental in acknowledging and celebrating the invaluable contributions of our volunteers. Looking ahead, we aspire to expand our volunteer base and optimize our office’s operational capacity by ensuring full-time coverage from Monday to Friday.

In conclusion, we express our sincere appreciation to all who’ve supported Birthright Vancouver, be it through donations, volunteering, or spreading awareness. Together, we’ve made remarkable strides in positively impacting lives and upholding Birthright’s noble mission. We eagerly anticipate further growth, increased volunteer involvement, and continued success in our endeavors.

Thank you for your support.

~ Julie Summers, Director of Birthright Vancouver.

Story from a volunteer

It was one of those quiet days at the office and my shift was about to end. As I was getting ready to leave, the phone rang and a voice on the other side of the line asked if we were open and that she would like to come to talk about her pregnancy. She had a sad, soft voice and it was clear to me that she had a heavy heart. I told her I could wait and I added more time to my parking. Later, a beautiful woman named “Gloria” walked into the office. She was one month pregnant with no family support of any kind and did not know what to do. To her, abortion appeared to be her best option. We talked for an hour and half. Gloria told me that when she was a teen, she’d gotten pregnant and gave her baby away for adoption. However, it had been a very traumatic experience for her and she had become very depressed after.

I mostly listened to her concerns and asked questions. It took a lot of courage from this young mom to make a decision. She needed a helping hand – someone to listen to and care about her situations and accompany her on this journey. We met many times to share progress, ups and downs, prayers, patience and love. There were many things that Gloria had to figure out after she decided to keep her baby. One thing at a time, Divine providence was at work.

Eight months later, a beautiful baby girl was born and Gloria and her daughter are very happy to be together. We keep in touch and Birthright continues to accompany Gloria and her baby girl to bring unconditional love and material support as needed. I am very grateful to all the donors and sponsors of Birthright who make our service possible.

~ Ada, Birthright Vancouver volunteer of eight years

I really believe in the work Birthright does. Especially in a city like Vancouver, an unexpected pregnancy can be a huge challenge. The mission of Birthright, as well as the personal care that all the volunteers show for the women they work with, is very inspiring. The work that Birthright has done, and the happy families that have resulted, keep me involved!”

~ Chris, Birthright Vancouver volunteer of 13 years

Meet Mark: the man behind the helpline

Mark with two Birthright Vancouver volunteers at the International Birthright Convention

Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, help, support, and love are available to women facing unplanned pregnancy, thanks to the Birthright Helpline. Mark started as a Helpline operatorvolunteer in 2001, due to his mother’s encouragement who was also a volunteer. Twenty-  three years later, Mark is now the full-time Operations Manager, in charge of making sure the Helpline is staffed, calls are being answered, and operators are well trained. Helpline operators can be a valuable first contact in our clients’ pregnancy journeys. Mark often says the Helpline is good for the first 15 minutes, and the Birthright offices are good for the rest of the nine months.

Although it can be challenging at times, Mark finds his work at the Helpline rewarding. One of his favourite stories to share is from his early days as an operator, when a woman called who wanted an abortion. She refused to give her name, and was hostile to any questions. Discouraged, Mark told her, “if you change your mind, please call us back. We want to help.” Two weeks later, she called back. She said she wanted to let the nice man she talked to earlier know that because of his kind words, she had decided to keep her baby. Stories like this give Mark hope. It’s a reminder that although operators may get discouraging calls, you will never know how many women you helped through your kind words of encouragements who never call back to let you know of the final result.

                                          CONTACT INFORMATION

Mailing address: 1107 – 207 West Hastings St,

Vancouver BC V6B 1H7

Phone: 604-687-7223 | Text: 778-228-4771 |

24-hour helpline: 1-800-550-4900

Email: birthrightvancouver@gmail.com Website: www.birthright.org/vancouver

Business No: 118810530RR0001