It's a bit old, but useful knowledge...
QUOTE:
Uninformed decision
Byfield estimated that about 5,000 women a year have abortions at the clinic. "I know there are people in that group who have misgivings. Many of those girls have never heard of an alternative to abortion."
The back porch of the home at 10958-124 St. opened Jan. 30 and in the first week, only six individuals or groups of people headed for the abortion clinic dropped in - none of them for longer than two minutes, she said.
But ALIES takes its hope from Aid to Women, a Toronto pro-life group stationed immediately adjacent to an abortion clinic for more than 10 years. That group has saved hundreds of babies, pictures of whom line the walls of Aid to Women, said Byfield.
"They've been phenomenally successful. It does make a difference if people know there are alternatives."
City bylaws prevent ALIES from providing counselling and a court injunction bars any leafleting or protesting on the sidewalk outside the clinic.
"We don't do counselling," Byfield said. If someone wants counselling, they will be referred to an agency set up for that purpose.
"We're not here to get arrested. We just want to offer these girls an alternative."
Byfield and four other volunteers are manning the house, along with the part-time office manager Theresa McPike.
While they would like more volunteers, they are also wary. "We need people who are not going to be judgmental. These are women who are going for an abortion."
But they do need donations to help pay the $1,000 to $1,200 a month it costs for rent and utilities for the building. They hope Catholic parishes will each sponsor the house for a month.
http://www.wcr.ab.ca/news/2006/0213/abortion021306.shtml
