Birthright is a non profit international organization, whose mission is to help women who are pregnant, and families with young children who are in need of support. Our services are completely confidential and free, as well as non-denominational. They are available to anyone, regardless of their age, sex, race, or socio-economic class. We offer free pregnancy testing, crisis pregnancy counseling, 3 main services: pregnancy decision counseling (we never refer for abortion, but listen & educate in the hopes that a decision will not be made out of sheer fear or impulse,) baby clothing (0-24 months,)maternity clothing, baby items based on donations received (formula, diapers, bedding, etc,) friendship counseling, and referrals to local services (adoption, medical, financial, housing, food, clothing, child care, counseling, parenting classes, child support and custody, legal, etc.) One big difference between Birthright and other organizations like ours, is that we offer a highly personalized service. We address the individuals needs and concerns, and work with them to create a plan of action. In return, we often establish long lasting relationships with our "families," and we continue to strive to offer a warm and inviting atmosphere for them and their children. Birthright is staffed with non-judgmental volunteers of all backgrounds and ages, who all share the common belief that "It is the right of every woman to give birth, and the right of every child to be born."

Description:
Birthright provides caring, non-judgmental support to girls and women who are distressed by an unplanned pregnancy. Using its own resources and those of the community, Birthright offers positive and loving alternatives. Birthright presents many services and refers for many more. We provide friendship and emotional support, free pregnancy testing, and maternity and baby clothes. We also give information, referrals, and if available applications to help clients apply for and meet legal, medical, financial, and housing needs. Birthright treats each woman as an individual who deserves kindness and respect, as well as personal attention to her unique situation. All Birthright services are free, absolutely confidential, and available to any woman regardless of age, race, creed, economic or marital status.

BIRTHRIGHT IS THERE
...for every woman who calls for help. Whether that call is for nothing more than an anonymous pregnancy test or for friendship and support lasting through the delivery and beyond, Birthright is there. Every woman is special and deserves to be treated as an individual.

BIRTHRIGHT CARES
...for every woman and does not pass judgment on the "quality" of life or circumstances of a pregnancy. It does not dwell on the past. Birthright instead asks, "How can we help?" No matter how difficult a situation may seem, Birthright helps each woman plan constructively for her future.

BIRTHRIGHT ALLOWS
...each woman to ask questions and to explore her options without pressure and without passing judgment.

BIRTHRIGHT DOES NOT
...use "scare tactics" or pressure.
...show abortion slides or pictures.
...picket or harass abortion clinics.
...evangelize.
...lobby for legislative changes or engage in the public debate on abortion.

We are here to support each individual and do not believe political activism has any place in our office.

BIRTHRIGHT MAINTAINS
...a 24-hour free hotline: 1-800-550-4900.
...hundreds of local crisis telephone and drop-in chapters.

BIRTHRIGHT EDUCATES
...through one-on-one contact with the woman in need and those around her. Birthright provides personal attention. Birthright also educates the community via an outreach program, that informs a team of speakers who are experts in teen parenting, community resources, child support and custody rights, fetal development and parenting.

BIRTHRIGHT GIVES
...its services free of charge. A tax-exempt, charitable organization, Birthright exists because of the financial support of its donors and volunteers. It is independent, interdenominational, and not affiliated with any religious or political group or public agency.

BIRTHRIGHT WAITS
At Birthright, a friend is waiting, for as long as you need one.

We Offer:
Completely confidential help
Friendship and emotional support
Free pregnancy testing
Medical referrals
Legal referrals
Educational assistance and referrals
Maternity and baby clothes
Housing referrals
Referrals to social agencies
Referrals for professional counseling
Mediating (Teens telling parents about pregnancy)

Information on:
Prenatal development
Adoption
Pregnancy & childbirth
Child care options
Child safety issues
Community Assistance programs and eligibility
Job search/career development

History:
Birthright began in Toronto,Canada, in 1968, when Louise Summerhill, a busy housewife and mother of seven children, felt something should be done to help women through an unplanned pregnancy. The grassroots response to her idea was overwhelming, and the Toronto chapter quickly grew into Birthright International, the world's first international crisis pregnancy service. In 2003, Birthright International celebrated its 35th anniversary with over 400 chapters worldwide, including Canada, the United States, and others in South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, and Colombia.

Birthright is a fully independent organization, not affiliated with any church or public agency. Its name and logo are trademarks.

An estimated 28,000 women make their first visit to a Birthright chapter every month. Birthright also operates a 24-hour North American hotline, at 1-800-550-4900.

Many Birthright volunteers and clients feel a special affection for Louise Summerhill-- an ordinary woman who did something extraordinary to help others. Events in her life helped her understand the feelings pregnant girls might experience, including feelings of loneliness, fear of criticism, tension with parents, and even the shock of finding oneself unexpectedly pregnant.

Birthright began very humbly, with a one-room office and only $300 in the bank. But Louise's steady leadership and powerful vision ensured that the new pregnancy service survived. In later years, Louise was glad the organization did not begin with a lot of money because it caused Birthright to rely on the "good hearts and hard work of volunteers" to provide "lots of love and common sense." Over thirty-five years later, Birthright International remains true to Louise's original vision of personal, one-on-one contact in helping relationships. Louise's Birthright means "approachability and informality" for clients and volunteers, instead of bureaucracy and meetings in highly structured, business-like environments.

Birthright takes a "non-moralistic, non-judgmental" approach toward helping women through their pregnancy dilemmas. Louise regretted the fact that some young unmarried mothers were belittled or ostracized by their relatives: "I can never see anything wrong with any of them." Louise recreated the supportive homelike environment they deserved to have. Moreover, Louise helped formulate a Charter, followed by all Birthright chapters worldwide, to define Birthright's services, to ensure that pregnant women receive the same considerate treatment at every Birthright chapter, and to help volunteers preserve Birthright's good reputation in the future.

Contact person: Deena Foley, Co-Director, (phone), (email)
Main office number: (925) 634-1275
TDD number: (800) 550-4900
Office fax number: (925) 634-1586

Address:

857 Second Street Suite D Brentwood, CA 94513 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.birthright.org

Miscellaneous Information

Besides English, which languages are spoken at your agency?
	Spanish
What is the minimum age for volunteers at your agency?
	18
Is your agency wheelchair accessible?
	Yes
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 10?
	Yes
Does your agency have the capacity to host groups of more than 20?
	No

Overall Experience   
Friendly, Accommodating, & Rewarding Experience

I have really enjoyed volunteering at Birthright. I love the flexibility around my schedule and being able to help each individual based on their needs. I also bring my daughter with me, and she enjoys helping too. She talks to the little kids while I work with their parents. Family friendly environment, and rewarding. True story, a 14 year old came to me pregnant 3 years ago. She has made up her mind, she was going for an abortion. She had made this decision because she didn't want to deal with telling her mom, plus because of her age. We spoke for two hours breaking down her options and discussing her feelings, and she left that day saying "I wish there was a better option, but I just can't have this baby. I am keeping my abortion appointment." Fast forward a year and a half later, I walk into a teenage parenting class for an outreach presentation, and this same girl walks up and puts a precious little boy in my arms. She said to him "this lady is the reason you're here." She had changed her mind in the end, and canceled that appointment. While she continued to use Birthrights support system and resources at first, she and her little boy and boyfriend are doing well and are supporting themselves fully. She is still planing her future and working toward college, and her little boy is a happy healthy child. This is why we do what we do.. posted on August 22, 2007