What Is Birthright?

"What is Birthright?" This is a question I get from everyone when I share my wonderful experiences of volunteering and being a board member for this shoreline non-profit service. I can best explain it in Louise Summerhill's own words: *"We give help, no matter in what stage of pregnancy the woman finds herself. We are an emergency pregnancy service, and we help everyone who calls on us about an unplanned pregnancy. The fact is, no matter who is on the other end of the telephone line, if that person is in need, we give help. Our immediate aim, therefore is to understand and make known in our community our basic philosophy, that every girl or woman who becomes pregnant, whether she is married or single, has the right to give birth, and to be given the help to carry the child to term. In order to do this, we must take a personal interest in her well-being and have an appreciation of her specific needs, and make an appropriate use of community resources to help resolve her difficulties. We make ourselves readily available to listen, to talk, to guide the girl or woman, not only to the best of medical care, but to the discussion of the girl's whole problem and the solution to it. We attempt to understand the problem and give prompt individualistic personal care, establishing with the girl a trusting, loving relationship. The essence of our service is love. We should not underestimate the power of love. We in Birthright rely on intuition, and a loving attitude, free from all judgement. Judgement vanishes with love. We do not meddle in morality, and knowing this, girls come to us without fear of being made to feel more guilty than they are. And who among us can say they are not guilty?" Currently Birthright of Clinton, 150 Main Street is in need of volunteers to staff our office. We are open Monday-Friday 10:00am - 1:00pm. If you can make a comittment for one, 3-hour time slot a week, it would be a BIG help. If you are available on a Saturday, that would be appreciated. Training is available. If you are interested in learning more about Birthright, please call our office at 860-669-9466. You will be glad that you did!