September
2022 info@envisagepregnancy.ca
Information Package
Mailing
Address: 5 Sophia Street East Barrie, ON L4M 1Y1 www.envisagepregnancy.ca Formerly Barrie Pregnancy Resource Centre Barrie & Area 5 Sophia Street East 705BARRIE7397280 South Georgian Bay 112 Hurontario COLLINGWOODStreet7052935000 pregnancy services
A listening ear can help to sort through problems and explore possibilities.
We provide support to anyone facing unexpected pregnancy or pregnancy related challenges
We Equip We teach skills to help people do their best
We Listen More than we talk, we know it helps to feel understood
At Envisage, we provide support to imagine how the future could unfold
We are Trauma Informed Trauma has an impact; we serve in a way that is aware
We Value People We treat each person with dignity and respect
OUR MISSION
OUR VISION
We Are Holistic We long for people to thrive in their body, mind, emotions, spirit and relationships
Envisage Pregnancy Services is a non profit, charitable organization, supported by individuals, businesses and churches in our community. Envisage opened in December 2006 as the Barrie Pregnancy Resource Centre (BPRC). In November 2018, we opened a satellite office in Collingwood to serve the South Georgian Bay region and changed our name to Envisage Pregnancy Services.
We Don’t Judge We are a safe place where nobody has to pretend
…
We Hope - Some people might see problems, we see possibilities
When pregnancy is unexpected, it can be hard to imagine how the future might look.
We Empower We celebrate people’s strengths and provide a place for each person to find their voice
… and with hope to expect something good!
ABOUT ENVISAGE
We Love Jesus God’s love is the reason for everything we do
OUR STORY
OUR VALUES
People Valued Families Thriving God’s Love Shining
We Empathize - We respond with compassion, always assuming the best about people
Sometimes it helps to talk.
Strengthening Families Program
There are many community resources that can provide support. Knowing where to get help can make a real difference.
This parenting program includes helpful topics such as attachment, child development and healthy communication.
Adoption Information and Support
WHAT WE DO
Ongoing Support
We provide a holistic program of peer support, childbirth classes and practical help such as gently used clothing.
Information About Community Resources
We provide care, information and support during and after the pregnancy decision making process.
A Safe Place to Explore Pregnancy Options
Pregnancy Tests
We provide a safe place for each person to talk about their situation and feelings. We have decision making tools and accurate information about each option available.
We provide a safe place to process emotions after an abortion.
Preparing for Baby Program
Emotional Support After Abortion
We provide self administered urine based pregnancy tests in a safe, confidential setting.
We provide support and information to help individuals and families prepare for birth and adoption and support after adoption.
“I think I might be pregnant. I’m really freaked out because I’m only 16.”
“My situation is really complicated. I can’t have this baby “Inow.”had an abortion years ago and I have been struggling with it emotionally.”
Young teen girls (as young as 13) terrified about the possibility of Womenpregnancyintheir
Mothers who are often alone and already struggling to care for their other children
“I’ve missed my period for 2 months now. Can I come for a pregnancy test?”
40’s, equally terrified about pregnancy at this stage of Individualslifewho
Since opening in 2006 Envisage has supported over 2120 individuals. Some clients visit only once for a pregnancy test or support considering options. Others journey with us for years, and sometimes for support with more than one pregnancy.
Educated women, working in their chosen profession, experiencing relationship difficulties making pregnancy feel overwhelming for them
We Have Cared For …
“Hi. I’m 23 and I just found out I am pregnant…I need some information.”
have faced abuse, homelessness and mental health issues, who want to have a baby to love but aren’t in the position to parent
College and university students with dreams and debts and rocky relationships and parents whom they want to please
International students and newcomers to Canada, feeling very alone and overwhelmed
WHO WE SERVE
Many of those who face unexpected pregnancy have also experienced abuse.
Unexpected pregnancy can be overwhelming because of poverty or financial challenges, no suitable housing, concern about caring for other children, food insecurity, concern about the impact on other people, conflict with employment or education, lack of supportive relationships and even abuse.
Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down and out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless. (Isaiah 1:17 MSG)
Envisage exists because of what we believe. As a Christian organization, we are absolutely convinced that there is a God … and that people matter to God. Each person is so precious to Him!
“The worker made me feel relaxed and calm.”
O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
WHY WE SERVE
“A welcoming, respectful atmosphere. I didn’t feel rushed or judged.”
What Our Clients Are Saying
In Canada, 1 out of 2 women has experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence since the age of 16. By the age of eighteen, 1 out of 4 girls have been sexually abused. (Statistics Canada)
“Helpful, caring support and information.”
“I was in a tough place when I found out I was pregnant. With all your help, I was able to prepare for the birth of my son and with your continued support, I’m making it!”
In Canada, almost 50% of all pregnancies are unexpected. (sexandu.ca)
You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You discern my thoughts … You knitted me together in my mother’s womb … You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. (Psalm 139: 1,2,4,13b,5 ESV))
“It’s the best place to talk to someone if you feel scared.”
OUR COMMITMENT OF CARE AND COMPETENCE
6. Clients receive accurate information about pregnancy, fetal development, lifestyle choices, and related enquiries.
About Pregnancy Care Canada (PCC)
2. Clients are treated with kindness, compassion, and respect.
12. All staff, board members, and volunteers receive appropriate training to uphold these standards.
Adopted from Pregnancy Care Canada
5. Client information is held in strict confidence. Releases and permissions are obtained appropriately. Client information is only disclosed as required by law and when necessary to protect the client or others against imminent harm.
3. Clients always receive honest and open answers.
1. Clients are served without regard to race, colour, religion, creed, national origin, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, lifestyle, or other arbitrary circumstances.
7. We do not provide or assist in arranging abortions or abortifacients but are committed to offering accurate information about abortion procedures and risks.
10. We are governed by a board of directors and operate in accordance with our articles of incorporation, by laws, and stated purpose and mission.
Pregnancy Care Canada is a best practice, Christian, national affiliating organization that provides expertise, mentoring and equipping to centres across Canada. Envisage is one of 81 PCC affiliated centres.
8. All communication is honest and accurately describes the services we offer.
11. We comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements regarding employment, fundraising, financial management, taxation, and public disclosure, including the filing of all applicable government reports in a timely manner.
4. Client pregnancy tests are administered in accordance with applicable laws.
9. We provide a safe environment by screening all volunteers and staff interacting with clients.
Do you share your faith with your clients?
As with all information that we share, Envisage follows a client lead, permission based approach. We make every effort to be transparent about the faith that motivates us, and to explain that we are always happy to share about that faith. We also make every effort to be clear that we serve people of all faith backgrounds and no faith background. We recognize that some people have been hurt by certain religious practices and we grieve deeply with them. Our love and care for people makes it easy for us to honour each person’s journey and perspective There is never any pressure to talk about spiritual matters. For those who do express interest in knowing more about what we believe, we openly share and have programs available to help answer questions about God and the Bible.
Since you provide ongoing support, why don’t you help clients get an abortion?
Although we provide information about abortion, Envisage does not make arrangements for abortion (we don’t keep a list of abortion providers for referral). We make every effort to ensure that clients understand this limitation of services before visiting or receiving services by posting in on our website and promotional materials, and also in our “Welcome Sheet” which is reviewed and signed by clients before receiving services.
These terms have become highly politicized, polarizing and confusing. At Envisage we believe that every person is valuable and loved by God, at every life stage and in every circumstance, from the time we are conceived and throughout all of our life. In that sense, we are “pro life” and “whole life”.
However, we also realize that facing an unexpected pregnancy can be incredibly difficult, for many reasons. We recognize that abortion is a legal option in Canada. Unfortunately, some women with an unexpected pregnancy feel like they have no other choice but abortion. We don’t believe this is acceptable. Every woman deserves to understand all her options and also have access to alternatives to an unwanted abortion. Many people find it helpful to have a safe, confidential space to talk about their situation and feelings, without fear of being judged or told what to do. Our goal is to provide this safe place along with ongoing support through the provision of emotional support, accurate information and practical help.
Are you Pro-Life or Pro-Choice?
Envisage uses a client lead, permission based approach to sharing information. We have information about each option (abortion, adoption and parenting) available to clients. Any information we share about abortion is from Pregnancy Care Canada’s medically accurate and evidence informed booklet “Abortion Adoption Parenting”. This resource has been reviewed by 45 specialized practitioners, including perinatal nurses, family physicians, obstetricians, gynaecologists, medical ethicists, psychologists, and social workers from across Canada.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If a woman choses abortion, she is welcomed to continue accessing support at Envisage; We offer a safe place to process emotions after abortion. However, Envisage does not make arrangements for abortion or keep a referral list of providers. This is because being part of the abortion process through referral or assistance in accessing abortion would be incongruous with our deeply held belief that every person, at every life stage, is valuable and loved by God. Remaining outside the abortion/referral process also allows us to continue to be a safe place for women to work through any negative emotions they may experience after an abortion If Envisage was part of the abortion process, we may no longer be viewed as that safe place for the healing and recovery journey.
Do you provide women with information about all pregnancy options?
Although we make every effort to be clear about this limitation of services, and our desire is to be transparent about our beliefs, we also recognize that oversharing about our beliefs and limitations could be perceived as judgmental For this reason, we have limited our explanation in promotional materials to only say “Envisage does not provide or make arrangements for abortion”
Envisage Pregnancy Services, embodied in its board, staff and volunteers, is committed to “shining God’s love” by reaching out with love and Christian compassion to anyone facing unexpected pregnancy or a pregnancy related challenge. Qualities that Envisage looks for in its team members are compassion, excellent communication skills, emotional health and capacity to serve. In order to shine God’s love through the care we provide at Envisage, we desire that every team member would first know God’ love in their own lives.
This team is the first point of contact for anyone who calls or visits the centre. This team is so important in making clients feel welcomed and safe! We are looking for warm, smiling and caring people to serve in this role.
The team provides occasional practical help for clients, such as Food Bank or grocery deliveries or being a connection point when a client starts attending community or church programs.
BE PART OF ENVISAGE!
Time Commitment: One day per week, during our operational hours. One year minimum Experience/Training: No experience needed. Two day initial training, ongoing orientation & support
Time Commitment: Flexible availability. One year minimum Experience/Training: No experience needed. Two day initial training, ongoing orientation & support
Envisage has a variety of non client contact roles, including: Prayer Team (regular e newsletter with prayer requests, occasional in person or virtual prayer)
FINANCIAL PARTNERSHIP
PARENTING PROGRAM TEAM
Cleaning Team (two teams clean twice monthly supplies are provided) Board of Directors (Three year term, quarterly meetings, monthly and ad hoc reports or decisions)
OTHER TEAMS
All roles require a minimum one year commitment. For more information or an application contact 705 739 7280 or info@envisagepregnancy.ca
VOLUNTEER ROLES
Occasional Task Help (yard work, envelope stuffing, help at events, church liaison)
OUTREACH TEAM
RECEPTION TEAM (Directors of First Impressions)
This team provides support in running our Strengthening Families parenting group. Time Commitment: One day per week, during program. One year minimum Experience/Training: No experience needed. Two day initial training, ongoing orientation & support
Another way to make the work of Envisage possible is through financial partnership. We are always grateful for each individual, family and business who supports the work we do through one time gifts or ongoing support by cheque, credit card, debit and online giving, as listed on our website, below.
www.envisagepregnancy.ca/donate
Thank you for your interest in Envisage and your care for the families we serve!