North Carolina pregnancy center plans to move next to abortion facility

The North Carolina pregnancy resource center A Hand of Hope has announced it is moving its office next to the Raleigh abortion facility A Preferred Women’s Health Center.

“We will be located right beside the abortion clinic, much like McDonald’s is across the street from Burger King,” Hand of Hope executive director Tonya Nelson Baker said. “It makes good business sense to go exactly where the people are that we’re trying to reach.”

Hand of Hope operates the Your Choice Pregnancy Clinic, which offers free pregnancy and sexually-transmitted infection testing, limited ultrasound services, and information on abortion, adoption, and parenting.

Some area residents expressed fear the move would lead to an increase in pro-life protests outside the abortion facility, but Baker assured them that wouldn’t be the case: “Hand of Hope does not protest. It is against our policy and procedure to protest.” She also said they do not post people outside to lure people in.

The West Raleigh Citizens Advisory Council has voted 30-17 in favor of allowing the home Hand of Hope wants to be rezoned for office space. It now has to go before the Planning Commission and City Council.

A Preferred Women’s Health Center did not comment on their new pro-life neighbors.