Missouri governor renews $6 million in funding for ‘Alternatives to Abortion’ program

Missouri Governor Mike Parson has renewed the $6.46 million in funding for the state’s Alternatives to Abortion program for the fiscal year that began on July 1. The program benefits parents in need who choose life for their preborn children.

Through the Alternatives to Abortion program, women can feel truly free and empowered to choose life for their children without pressure from outside influences, as more than 70% of post-abortive women have admitted they felt pressured to abort. Instead, a woman can choose to raise her child or place her child for adoption with services available to her throughout the pregnancy and for a full year after the child is born. Those services include protection from domestic abuse, drug and alcohol treatment, housing, job training, ultrasounds, medical and mental health care, parenting education, transportation, utilities, adoption assistance, and child care. These and other services are provided at no cost to eligible participants in the program.

READ: Missouri pregnancy centers’ fatherhood program is saving the lives of babies

In order to qualify, pregnant women must be residents of Missouri and live at or below 185% of the poverty level based on income. They must be carrying their child to term rather than having an abortion.

One mother, who received assistance through Ray of Hope pregnancy resource center, said:

When I was in a place I didn’t think I could get out of, Ray of Hope was there to help pick my family and I up! They gave my husband and I hope and strength to be able to take care of our son. I am very grateful for that.

Coalition for Life Missouri’s Samuel Lee shared the good news on social media, stating, “Across Missouri, pregnant moms, unborn babies and families are celebrating the gift of Life!”

Parson signed the bill into law before the July 4th holiday and despite a tough budget this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic decline, he chose to give the Alternatives to Abortion program the same amount of funding as it received last year, benefitting parents and children in some of the communities most affected by economic hardship.

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