Pro-life crisis pregnancy centers are not only saving the lives of babies in the womb. They are also saving the communities they serve millions of dollars each year, according to a study released last week.

In an 80-page report, Charlotte Lozier Institute (CLI) scholars detail how pro-life pregnancy centers across the nation provide free services to two million people annually. Centers also saved local communities $161 million last year. The study found that over 7,500 medical professionals gave a whopping 400,100 hours of free services at 2,752 center locations.

Surveying diverse centers nationwide, the report details what a pro-life local presence means to communities. The centers serve to “protect unborn children as well as assist women and men facing some of the most difficult situations life has to offer,” it states.

Full Range of Pro-Life Services and Education

Pregnancy centers are noted as “one of the greatest volunteer-based movements in history.”

Chuck Donovan

“Nine in 10 people involved at pregnancy centers are volunteers, including an estimated 7,500 medical professionals,” said CLI president Chuck Donovan. He is a longtime advocate for vulnerable lives, dating back to his tenure in the Reagan White House.

Last year, 67,400 people volunteered at pregnancy centers. The pregnancy centers reported having seen around 24,000 clients for after-abortion support. They also saw over one million students attend community-based presentations on sexual risk avoidance.

“Beyond numbers like these is the incalculable value of lives saved, families strengthened, and women and men finding healing from the trauma of abortion,” Donovan added. The study reveals the ways in which centers enhance maternal, women’s and children’s health.

Further, it details the services pregnancy care centers offer to women, youth and men. These include “pregnancy tests, options consultation, sexual risk avoidance education, parenting and prenatal education, ultrasound and medical services, community referrals and material support.” The study also highlights personal stories of those impacted by centers.

Supreme Victory Celebrated

Independent CLI researchers studied data provided by the three leading pregnancy center networks.

These include CareNet, Heartbeat International and the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA). The latter won a major Supreme Court case in June. The high court struck down a California law forcing these centers to advertise abortion services.

After the NIFLA ruling, Liberty Counsel’s case Mountain Right to Life v. Becerra was sent back from the Supreme Court to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. In this case, Liberty Counsel represents three pro-life pregnancy centers in Southern California forced to promote abortion.

One of Liberty Counsel’s clients, the Pregnancy and Family Resource Center in San Bernardino, is funded entirely by donors, churches and businesses. This one center alone has 300 appointments and 125 unique clients each month.

This California law forces pro-life crisis pregnancy centers like this one to display a government notice in 48-point font and in up to 13 languages. Centers must promote this abortion message on their front door, in the waiting room and in every ad they run.

Saving Lives with Truth and Resources

Flanked by two abortion facilities, the Pregnancy and Family Resource Center is helping to save hundreds of babies every month.

When Maria (name changed) came to them, she was set on having an abortion. But, after visiting the center for several months, she had a change of heart. “OK, I’ve decided to not abort,” she said one day. “What do I do?”

Sarah M. Bowen

With the help of the center’s staff, Maria now has a beautiful little girl whose name means “light of hope.” As to the pregnancy center’s legal challenge, Liberty Counsel is now waiting on further action from the appeals court.

The fight for life isn’t over. It’s still being waged in communities across the nation. In late August, a billboard reading “abortion is self-care” went up along a busy freeway in Dallas. One pregnancy center director responded with compassion.

“Let’s help women protect their babies,” stated Sarah Bowen, executive director of the Alpha Omega Center in New Castle, Penn. “Let’s protect women from abortionists.”

“Instead of killing a child and hurting a mother, let’s help them solve the problems they’re facing.”

A version of this story was originally published by Liberty Counsel. Explore The Stream’s complete coverage of policies affecting human life and dignity.