Profile in Mission: Gail MacLaurin MINISTRY
Family Resource Centre LOCATION
Welland, Ontario PARTNER
Elisha House Pregnancy and Family Support Centre What Need Is God Showing Us?
Like their counterparts across Canada and the U.S., young women and men in the inner-city of Welland, Ontario, need to experience the healing of the gospel through a safe, supportive place that helps them deal with crises related to pregnancies and other family issues. What Is God Telling Us to Do?
Many of these young people receive social assistance; others work at low-paying jobs. Many have experienced trauma or deprivation and have not learned the necessary life and social skills to parent their children. They need hope for a better future; they need to experience the love of God in concrete, practical ways. How Are We Doing What God Is Asking?
The RCA helps support Gail MacLaurin as the director of Elisha House Pregnancy and Family Support Centre in Welland. As the "face" of Elisha House, Gail is determined to tell her storyÑa story that includes sexual promiscuity, abortion, and pain. "The story is one of redemption," she says. "As a youth, I was not taught the beauty of purity or the options to abortion. I want to make sure we do all we can to offer this to as many youth as the Lord allows." As director, Gail builds connections with community organizations that partner with Elisha House in ministry. She also works with Elisha House staff and volunteers and does public relations, counseling, teaching, and coaching. Who Is Our Partner?
Elisha House Pregnancy and Family Support Centre provides free pregnancy tests; counseling and support for pregnant women and mothers; post-abortion counseling; parenting support groups; and mentoring programs for women. Healing groups help people through the pain of abortion and sexual abuse. The Elisha House Marketplace stocks baby clothes, maternity clothes, diapers, formula, baby food, and other baby items--all donated by churches and individuals. Moms and dads are able to make purchases using Marketplace Money--credits they earn by attending a class on life skills, parenting, or baby health care, or by utilizing the Elisha House Resource Library. Up Close and Personal
Gail served on the board of Elisha House before being hired as director in 2007, but she first came to the organization for post-abortion counseling. "I had been suffering the pain of past abortions. The counseling I received helped me to receive God's freedom and forgiveness through Jesus Christ," she says. Gail has 22 years of experience as a public health inspector. She attends Grace Community Church in Thorold, Ontario, and enjoys cooking, gardening, reading, walking her dogs, and having potluck dinners with friends and family.
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