Category: Our Programs

This article is shared with us by a staff member at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid). While the story is specific, we receive calls like this every day. And every day, we offer hope.

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It was just after noon when the phone rang. I pick up the phone, and say, “Thank you for calling Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid), how can I help you?”

The anxious voice of a young woman responds, “I think I might be pregnant, and I don’t know what to do. My boyfriend just broke up with me, and I’m afraid to tell my parents for fear that they will kick me out of the house.”

We hear this often, “I think I might be pregnant, and I don’t know what to do. . .” It can be followed by a variety of reasons: “I’m afraid I won’t be able to finish school,” or “I’m afraid of what my friends will think.” We often hear, “I’m afraid to tell my parents – they’ll be so upset,” or “My boyfriend doesn’t want this baby.” Many times, it is simply the words, “This isn’t a good time in my life to be pregnant right now.”

When someone is in this position, she simply needs affirmation that she is capable of overcoming whatever challenging circumstances she currently faces!

In this moment, I have to consider the best way to encourage this young woman.

“I’m so glad you called us today. I want you to know that we are here to help you out during this difficult time. We offer so many different resources to help get you through it. We have things like free pregnancy testing to make sure you are pregnant and peer counseling to help with the tough times. For later on, you can take parenting classes, receive material aid for things that you and the baby will need, get community referrals, and even stay with us for parenting support group programs.

For now, though, just know that you don’t have to be alone.”

I can hear the relief in her voice, as she tells me that she’d like to come in to meet with us. I ask what day and time would work best for her, and then proceed to set an appointment for her at a time that is convenient for her to come in. I give her one last word of encouragement, “When you come, you will get to meet with a trained client advocate. She will spend time with you and help you sort through your pregnancy options if you are still unsure about what you want to do.

For now, though, just know that we are here for you as a support system during this time.

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Additional articles on the services and programs offered at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid):
How We Help With An Unexpected Pregnancy
What Does A Visit To Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) Look Like?

When people think of unplanned pregnancy, they often begin thinking of the emotional journey the woman faces. It is not incorrect to associate unplanned pregnancy with women but too often we fail to recognize the emotional strain an unplanned pregnancy can have on a man. An individual that has worked closely with Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic (formerly Advice & Aid Pregnancy Center) has offered his thoughts on how an unplanned pregnancy affects the man.

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His side of the story
I’ve spent dozens of moments with men – men you probably don’t hear about – asking them how they feel that their girlfriend/wife/one-night-stand is pregnant. Sometimes after I asked “How are you feeling?” the young man would burst out laughing and we would both laugh for what seemed like thirty minutes. Other times the young man would treat me as though I was a cop trying to get him to break his fifth amendment right not to incriminate himself. Recently, I watched the music video of the Eminem song “River” which is about how he pressured a woman to get an abortion after getting her pregnant. The honesty of the video is refreshing and tragically accurate. It highlights the intense emotion of regret and pain that Eminem experienced due to his part in the abortion. It nearly runs the gamut on the different emotions I have seen in our counseling rooms.

Eminem’s story reminds me of other’s stories like it – stories of men who are affected by unplanned pregnancy. One particular client talked on the phone with me for 20 minutes, hysterically sharing his story with me. He had the perfect girl, cheated on her with someone else and got that someone else pregnant. He told me his life was over. He told me abortion was the only way. But the large majority of men I met with were not certain of the decision to abort. In fact, the phrase I heard more than any other in those meetings was “Well, it’s her choice.” I heard the phrase so often I wondered if someone had written a one sentence script, handed it to all young men engaging in sex, and they had dutifully memorized it. Although the statement is true, it falls short of the whole truth and leaves men with nothing else to say. In reality, with a little more prying, I learned (what I already knew) that the men I met with had strong feelings about the decision to parent, place for adoption, or abort.

Given a voice at last
I remember the many men who sat across from me looking down as I encouraged them to have a voice even if it was just in that room. I heard near poetic preaching from young men vowing never to be like their fathers. I remember one seventeen year old in particular who told me that his dad left when he was four and he would not leave this unborn baby now. I think of a man who slowly started slumping over as he told me he did not want an abortion but she did. He cried and shook his head as I encouraged him to tell her how he felt. In all these situations there were no easy words to share with them – every word was going to cost them something but I would sit with them there until we found their words. I am not sure what phrase should replace “It’s her choice,” but relationships are not one-sided and the men I met with were deeply moved by their partner’s pregnancy.

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It is easy to assume that, since the man isn’t the one physically affected by a pregnancy, the man has no say in what actions the woman should take. Here at Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic (formerly Advice & Aid Pregnancy Center), we seek to give voice to male concerns.

We understand that the choice is ultimately the woman’s, but we offer a place where the man can be involved in the decision-making process. If you and your partner are seeking advice, a listening ear, or even a mediator, we can help! Set up an appointment today.

This story was shared with us by a member of our Young Professionals – a new branch of Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) that gives those starting out in their professional life (ages 18-35) who are passionate about the sanctity of human life a way to connect and engage with others who share their passion.

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The Story of the Importance of Accountability – and What it Can Lead To

Two months ago, I bought a desk from IKEA, and have somehow managed to avoid assembling the desk ever since. Thus, instead of enjoying a solid addition to my apartment during this time – i.e. a new workspace, storage capacity, etc. – I have returned home each day to the sight of the desk’s cardboard box packaging propped sturdily against my bedroom wall. Truly home décor at its finest.

All jokes aside, the predicament in which I found myself was an impressive exercise in procrastination. And it was not until I shared with a friend this past weekend the internal disappointment I was feeling toward my avoidance of the desk’s assembly that I suddenly found the motivation to open the box and begin piecing together the parts therein.

In our short conversation, my friend Mike listened to my self-deprecating excuses and instantly became a source of accountability for me. I had — although mostly jokingly — opened up to him about my frustration. And through that opening up, I felt encouraged to attempt the challenging task which I had been avoiding for far too long.

In the hours that followed my conversation with Mike, I assembled the desk (finally!), carefully arranging the provided parts in the order that the instruction booklet prescribed. I was attentive to detail, and admired the way by which the smallest pieces included within the box contributed importantly to the eventual structural integrity of the desk that now stands upright in my apartment.

Our Call to Do Great & Challenging Things

In the simplest of ways, I think that this IKEA-related sequence of events serves as a fitting representation of the beauty of life, the importance of accountability, and our ability to do great and challenging things. Further, I think that together, these values combine to highlight much of what the pro-life cause stands for. And as a new supporter of this organization, I also recognize the ways in which Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) accomplishes its life-affirming mission through the pursuit of similar ideals.

Personally, I am pro-life because I firmly believe in the inherent sanctity and value of all human life, regardless of ability, disability, wanted-ness, or unwanted-ness. I am pro-life because the issue of abortion concerns the greatest social injustice of my generation; and I am pro-life because every life, every family, every mother, and every father is worth fighting for.

Of course, this “fight” that we speak of – and the work in which Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) engages – is inherently difficult. Much like the desk was for me, Two Lines’ (formerly Advice & Aid’s) work can be challenging and stressful; it can require the teamwork of multiple parties, accountability, listening, sharing, and speaking up. At its core, however, our organization’s mission is about community, relationships, family, and recognition of the gift of human life – even in the messiest of circumstances.

Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) Young Professionals . . . The Way to Truly Make a Difference

But as difficult as these pursuits may sound, the more I have come to understand the programs, outreach, and life-centric initiatives which Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) facilitates, the more I have become interested in getting (and staying) involved at the Pregnancy Center. These realizations are what primarily led to my joining the Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) Young Professionals Committee a few months ago, and I could not be more excited to continue connecting with others and supporting families experiencing crisis pregnancies through this organization’s incredibly loving, important, and (thankfully) non-furniture assembly related work.

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Are you passionate about the cause of helping men, women and unborn children getting the help and support they so desperately need for a shot at life?

Are you a young professional, looking for a way to connect with other like-minded people and truly make a difference with your efforts in the lives of others?

You need to check out Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid)’s Young Professionals! In fact, we have an upcoming event that you need to be a part of – Our Young Professionals Chiefs Events, held September 24, at Arrowhead, where we will be hearing from Lamar Hunt. For more information on this event, go to our Chief’s Young Professionals Event page!

The following article is written by the Bridges program coordinator here at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid).

Bridges is a two year parenting support group in which new parents can find practical, emotional, spiritual, social and intellectual help as they enter the parenting journey. The author of this article gets to experience every day the joys and frustrations, ups and downs, wins and losses of the new parents she supports.

But most of all, she walks with them every step of the way – so that they never have to feel alone!

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I just love my job!

 I was hired last July 2018, and have loved being part of the Bridges Team and getting to know our clients as well as our team of wonderful Client Relations Coordinators!

Each week, I am able to observe some pretty special interactions between the clients and our team – it is amazing to see the love, care and concern that Client Coordinators show to our clients as well as each client reaching out to other clients!

Since July, I have come to know quite a few wonderful young moms and dads through our parenting support classes.  As they come to class each week, it is delightful to see each face and each baby and/or toddler in our program.  And, it is even more delightful to watch their children grow and how they each grow as moms and dads.  Wow!  What fun that is to see and hold those babies each week!!!  We are blessed.

Each client brings their own special story.  Some have needs we can meet emotionally, some need confidence, some need assurance, some need material aid each week, and some excel to help other clients in the class – it is fantastic to watch!!!

Watching a Client Absolutely Blossom!

One client in particular struggled immensely at first with a lack of confidence.  She dealt regularly with panic attacks and anxiety.  To watch her grow in her confidence has been amazing.  She even willingly participated in one of our events and did exceptionally well, despite fighting her anxiety. One of our other clients even helped step in and reassure her in that anxiety. It was amazing to watch, and now these two young women have come to depend on each other. Their friendship grows each week as they are experiencing life together.

This same client has had some pretty rough times in her upbringing and is estranged from her biological family.  However, the father-of-the-baby’s family has embraced her completely – they help provide for her needs on a weekly basis and have given this client and her daughter a place to live!  She inherited “grandparents and parents” who love her dearly.  Each week you can see her confidence increase and she knows she is loved!

In addition, this client is going to JCCC, too. Her daughter’s great grandparents bought her a computer for Christmas and a family friend gave her a car, allowing her to get to class each week. What a difference a few months and some tender loving care have made with her!  She participates in our class now and recently, there came a very special day in class in which she seemed to transform in front of us!   One of our support teachers offered a class on Relationships and she was actively engaged in the conversation.  She asked great questions and even got other clients talking. It was a beautiful thing to watch her transform and display her newfound confidence!

Each Person Growing

To say I love my job only hits the tip of the proverbial iceberg! And, to say that this center does amazing things is too small of a description for what happens every day at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid). 

Our clients grow in strength. 
They grow in knowledge. 
They grow in skill. 
They grow in patience. 
They grow in endurance.
They grow in wisdom. 
They grow in compassion for one another.

Every day here, grace abounds.  

And, lives are truly transformed.  It is amazing!!!

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For more information about our Bridges program, please contact us at 913-962-0200. By calling, you are not committing yourself to come – you will be simply speaking to someone who can begin to give you the information you need.

The help you are looking for could be closer than you think!