Alone Yet Courageous
Betty was about 4 months pregnant and in a very difficult situation. She really wanted to keep her baby, but was being pressured by her boyfriend and his family to abort the baby. Betty was confused about what to do, because her culture strongly believes that an unwed mother brings shame and disgrace to the family name — and the pressure to abort her pregnancy is very intense.

Betty's boyfriend took her to a doctor for an abortion, but the doctor would not perform abortions. The doctor told her that she did not have to have an abortion if she didn't want one, and referred her to the Los Angeles Pregnancy Services.

When Betty came to our center she explained that she was alone in this country with no family, friends or money. Her boyfriend abandoned her, and she had to move out of the apartment. She was pregnant with no place to go, no job or money. We assured her that we would find a maternity home where she could stay with other pregnant women during her pregnancy. Betty had to face many obstacles and pressures along the way, but together with her faith in God, we helped her overcome the difficulties that in her journey.

Betty has been blessed in many ways. She gave birth to a beautiful baby boy; she now as a permanent home, new friends, and is very happy sharing her love with her precious son, who is the joy of her life.

A Valentine Gift
Martha was in a desperate situation. She was barely making ends meet working minimum wage and trying to support her 3 young daughters. It is not easy being a single mother and with all the financial pressures, it can seem difficult to imagine a good future for all of them, much less having another child to support.

Martha was very desperate and alone when she discovered that she was pregnant for the fourth time. The father was not going to support her in any way. She was feeling so helpless that she could see no way out of this dilema. Then she saw a commercial on TV in Spanish announcing support for unwanted pregnancies, and she got their phone number. She called because she thought this appeared to be the best way out of her crisis.When she called she was referred to an abortion clinic on 6th and Westmoreland.

Martha went there to have an abortion, but one of the side-walk counselors praying in front of the abortion clinic asked her gently if she was going there to have an abortion. She started crying and was moved by the words of wisdom that came from this man. It touched her heart that someone who she did not know was concerned about her. He told her that she did not have to go through with the abortion, and that she could come to LAPS to talk, and to get the help and support that she needed.

After several months now -- solutions to difficult problems are never easy nor quick-- Martha is happy to have her newborn and her daughters. She still struggles financially, but knows that there is help out there. She is learning about other resources, and has grown stronger for herself and her children to give them a better life.