The Back Porch Ministry

This is an outreach ministry to women and men who are confused or unsure about their decision to have an abortion. We offer support and information in a safe and non-judgmental environment for women and men to consider all the alternatives to abortion. Our Back Porch is located at 10958 124 St. and is directly across from the Woman’s Health Options clinic in Edmonton. No client appointments necessary.

www.thebackporch.org

History of the Back Porch

In late 2002, a group of pro-life people had a brainstorming session to come up with ideas for activities and projects, "if money were no object".  That was the exercise.  Several ideas were floated, one of which was to acquire a property near the newly-relocated Morgentaler Clinic in Edmonton so that we could offer a "last chance" for women to reconsider their decision to have an abortion.

Several days after that meeting, one of the participants learned that a lovely house around the corner from the clinic was for sale.  It was a large, three-storey house, beautifully decorated that housed an upscale restaurant.  We approached various pro-life groups/counselling agencies with the hope of setting up a "Life Centre" out of which we could all work, thereby sharing the costs if we could figure out a way to buy the house.  Most of the agencies were well-established where they were.

We then approached a number of people to see if there would be interest in buying it as an investment property that we could rent for a time.  We pursued this for almost 2 years - and actually did find a prospective buyer but the offer was refused by the seller.  We finally abandoned the project.

Several months after that, in early 2005, we learned that a tiny 90-year-old house across from the clinic was for sale.  The location was perfect.  The back door of this house (the door from the enclosed back porch) was immediately across from the abortion clininc door.  It was small, needed quite a bit of work inside and out, but we again began to talk to a few people about the project.  A wonderful couple from southern Alberta stepped up and bought the house in April 2005 for the express purpose of providing a home for our ministry.

We approached Alberta Pro-Life to see if they would be interested in sharing the space.  They agreed.  We spent the next six months installing floors, painting, repairing, cleaning all with volunteer labour and in October 2005, we moved into the house.  We spent several months getting set up, looking for volunteers and planning how to operate the Back Porch ministry.  In January 2006 we put up our signs and with five volunteers and a part-time staffer, we launched.  None of the volunteers had a clue what to expect.  This was not like the pregnancy counseling centres.  The women who we were targeting had abortion appointments and were on their way to abort their babies.  They would stumble into our porch thinking we were the abortion clininc.  For the first few weeks we did not see a single client.  (We could never decide if we were frustrated of relieved).

We saw our first client on January 31, 2006.  "We had our first visitors to the Back Porch today!  Prior to this we have been praying daily for this project and nothing has been happening in regards to having visits.  On this particular morning, I was particularly discouraged and talked out loud to myself at 7am while I was setting up.  I finally ended my grumbling by just standing in the middle of the kitchen and just said out loud 'God, please just send someone today!'  I don't think I expected such a quick response, but possibly God knew I needed to see something happen.  The first visitor arrived just after 7am; a young gal, maybe 20 with a young man.  The gal asked me if this was the abortion clinic.  I told her we were not, but rather that we have info available for young women who are not sure if they want an abortion...The next visit was approximately a half hour later.  A lady about my age with a young gal (maybe 16) asked if we were the Morgentaler Clinic.  I told her we weren't and offered information.  The young girl seemed scared and didn't say a word.  They took the brochures I offered them...The third visit happened closer to lunch time.  A very pretty gal came up to the Back Porch and she seemed confused.  She said she had been driving around for a half an hour trying to find the clinic.  We offered her information before she left...The fourth visit was a young man asking for a woman by name.  He was picking her up and thought we were the clinic!  Thanks God for answered prayers!"

Volunteers

The Back Porch wouldn’t be what it is today without the dedication and love of our committed volunteers. Anyone who has a heart for this 11th hour ministry and would like to help women and men reconsidering their abortion decision can apply to be a volunteer. There are two shifts a day from Monday to Friday; 8 a.m. to noon and noon to 5p.m. Training is provided. Consider becoming involved in this great ministry that saves lives and changes hearts.  To download a volunteer application form, click here.

Legal Injunction

The Edmonton abortion clinic has a legal injunction that surround it.  To download and view the details pertaining to this, click here.