In 2022, pregnancy centers across the United States held over 16 million client sessions and provided $358 million worth of goods and services while displaying incredible resiliency and generosity in the wake of the historic Dobbs Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade.
Such are the findings of a recently released report, Hope for a New Generation, a collaboration of national survey data provided by the Charlotte Lozier Institute, Care Net, Heartbeat International, and National Institute of Family and Life Advocates.
“This data underscores the transformational influence that pregnancy centers have on communities nationwide,” said Roland C. Warren, President and CEO of Care Net.
Hope for a New Generation includes data from 2,750 pregnancy centers in the United States. Of the over 16 million client sessions (in person and virtual) that took place, 97 percent self-reported a positive experience. The centers provided service to almost 975,000 new clients, responding to increased demand following the Dobbs decision; A report from the IZA Institute of Labor Economics estimates that 32,000 more babies were born in 2022.
Another key finding in the report included the overall impact of $358 million worth of material support and health care contributions. In 2022, the surveyed pregnancy centers provided vital services to women, men, and children, including: pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, parenting education programs, baby diapers, wipes, formula, outfits, and more.
“In the Dobbs era, the demands upon pregnancy help centers have increased daily,” said Chuck Donovan, president of the Charlotte Lozier Institute (CLI), the research arm of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. “Many states are responding with new funds and new policies to support the centers’ work. At the same time, new attacks are launched daily by violent radicals and by politicians who should know better. Some would find these challenges daunting, but as our report shows, pregnancy help center leaders see in this situation new opportunities to serve generously with love and compassion for those in need.”
Hope for a New Generation was prepared by CLI Senior Associate Scholar Michael J. New and CLI Associate Scholar Moira Gaul. New, an assistant professor of practice at the Busch School of Business at the Catholic University of America, said the report provides powerful evidence that pregnancy help centers succeeded in responding to the various challenges that have emerged since Dobbs.
“[This is] excellent news as pro-lifers continue our efforts to build a culture of life,” he said.
Roland Warren, the leader of Care Net’s Pro Abundant Life movement, also celebrated the findings. Care Net is an umbrella organization, representing approximately over 1,200 pregnancy centers in the United States and Canada.
“These remarkable organizations serve as beacons of hope and support, tirelessly assisting hundreds of thousands of women and men each year,” he said. “Through their efforts, they not only save the lives of precious unborn babies, but also foster the formation of strong families and bring about positive change in countless lives.”