Caroline’s Story: Help with Twins

I first heard about Waterleaf in 2019 when I searched on Google to confirm my pregnancy. At that time, I did not have insurance, and Waterleaf stepped in to guide me through my pregnancy with my second son. They supported me from the very beginning, helping me understand my options and navigate the process with care. When I became pregnant with twins in 2023, I knew exactly where to go—I returned to Waterleaf to confirm the viability of the pregnancy, trusting the support I had already experienced. What made me choose Waterleaf, and continue to choose them, is the way they truly listen. I never felt judged—by my background, my color, or my circumstances. Instead, I felt seen, respected, and supported. They offered emotional encouragement, practical resources, and spiritual support whenever it was needed, creating a safe and welcoming space.

Today, Waterleaf means a place where any woman can go during pregnancy and be guided with compassion and clarity. They don’t just provide services; they walk alongside women during an important and vulnerable season of life.

Waterleaf helped me in many concrete ways. They guided me through obtaining insurance, followed up with me regularly after my pregnancy confirmation, and continued to check in on me and my family. Their prayers for my children and my family meant more to me than words can express.

I also benefited greatly from the classes I completed through Waterleaf, especially the twin pregnancy classes. They were very informative and helped me understand how a twin pregnancy differs from a singleton pregnancy, which made me feel more prepared and confident. Through the Earn While You Learn program, I received gift cards for completing the classes, which helped me support myself and my family nutritionally during pregnancy. Overall, Waterleaf has been a consistent source of guidance, care, and encouragement in my journey. Thank you for doing this.

Jaclyn’s Story: Same Day Appointment

I first heard about Waterleaf when I found out I was pregnant with my first child in 2019. I was so nervous but everyone at Waterleaf was so wonderfully caring and helpful. I was able to quickly make an appointment to confirm my pregnancy and even got an ultrasound the same day! I was given helpful advice and support as well. Throughout my pregnancy, and after, I also met with the staff at Aspire who gave me useful resources and access to learning videos which I could complete to earn gift cards. These resources were very helpful to me as a new and single mom both for the education I gained as well as the additional monetary support from the gift cards. The gift cards provided significant assistance for me to purchase groceries and formula. I have continued my relationship with Waterleaf/Aspire through all 3 of my pregnancies and I am so grateful for their continued support.

Hailey’s Story: Overcoming Hardship

I heard about Waterleaf through a support group on Facebook. I went to Waterleaf because I was in a financially and emotionally hard area in my life and did not think I would be able to provide for my child the way I needed too. But Waterleaf provided me the resources to help me get out of the financial and emotional situation I was in . If it wasn’t for Waterleaf I would have not been able to be provide necessities for my child the way I am able to right now . Thank you Waterleaf ! I am so grateful for you guys !

Sejla’s Story: Meaningful Ultrasound

I first learned about Waterleaf about three years ago through a pamphlet given to me by a protestor, never imagining that one day I would need their services. Three years later, I found myself in a difficult situation and remembered Waterleaf, which led me to reach out for help. When I called, they took me in within 30 minutes, and I truly believe that immediate response made a significant difference in my situation. From the moment I arrived, the staff was compassionate, supportive, and incredibly educational, taking the time to walk me through all of my options and clearly explain the pros and cons of keeping my baby when I felt overwhelmed and distressed. They provided helpful educational videos about what to expect during pregnancy and showed me how my community could support me as I prepared for a baby. The ultrasounds were especially meaningful, as seeing my baby and hearing the heartbeat helped me feel deeply connected and reassured. Waterleaf also connected me with a spiritual director who helped me see that there was more to life and supported me beyond just my immediate needs. Even during a period when I was not responding because I was not receiving their text messages, the team went out of their way to contact me through email, and without their persistence, I would not have received the help I needed. Today, I feel more prepared than ever before, and I am truly grateful for the compassion, education, and support Waterleaf provided during one of the most challenging times in my life.

Maria’s Journey: From Fear to First Steps

This is a story of how God guides and blesses our work. It was a Thursday morning when the front door chimed alerting the Waterleaf Team of someone entering the reception area. We were not expecting another patient for at least an hour. But here stood a young couple who spoke no English accompanied by a sidewalk counselor. By God’s design, we have a Spanish speaking volunteer on Thursdays.

We learned the couple is from Guatemala. She is 18, he is 25. They have a 6-month- old daughter, and he is unemployed. We also learned she is pregnant, abortion determined, and was on her way to Planned Parenthood for a scheduled abortion when intercepted by the sidewalk counselor and encouraged to come to Waterleaf instead. Our medical team conducted a pregnancy test with a positive result, provided options counseling, and performed an ultrasound.

It is always challenging to serve patients when there is a language barrier and when patients, who are migrants, are leery of their surroundings. However, in this case the ultrasound image transcends all languages and all fears. Here was a 17-week-old baby with a strong heartbeat praying for its life!

After seeing the ultrasound image, the father shared he had a dream just the night before where he saw himself with his daughter and another child. God was showing this father there was a way! When the couple returned two weeks later, we learned there was more to their story which they agreed to share with you, our faithful supporters.

“I called Planned Parenthood and made an appointment for an abortion. I was going to go, but my husband had to travel, and he wanted to go with me, so I cancelled the appointment. Planned Parenthood then told me that the next appointment would be in 20 days, so I said that was fine. After 20 days, I went to Planned Parenthood and was told that they needed to give me anesthesia but not that day. I would have to return in a week. I accepted. After a week, I went back, but I was late. They told me that they couldn’t take care of me because I was late. They said I needed to come back the next day. I got there the next day and was told that I would have to get some shots and to come back the next day because the doctor was not in. I said it was fine. When I got there the next day, the sidewalk counselors were on the street and told me that I could get an ultrasound at Waterleaf. I thought we should go to Waterleaf to see how the baby is doing. After the ultrasound, we started thinking that aborting the baby is a sin, so I shouldn’t have an abortion. I came back to Waterleaf and thanks to your help I feel happy. We are sooo happy, we are going to have the baby. Thank you.”

In a recent follow-up call, the patient is happy, receiving pre-natal care, and revealed it’s a boy!

At Waterleaf, our skilled advocates, nurses, sonographers, and resource specialists see so much, yet this image captured all our hearts with awe for our almighty God. Surely the sonographer’s hand was guided by God for such a perfect image to be revealed to his parents at such a critical time. One can only imagine his prayer at that moment. “Thank you Lord for sending my parents to Waterleaf, so that I may have Life! Thank you for Sheila, the sonographer, who captured me in prayer so my mama and papa can see that I already exist safe in my mama’s womb. Thank you for Jeannine and Fran, the advocate and resource specialist, who translated the words of my mama so everyone would know my story. Thank you Roxanne and Peggy, the nurses, who reassured my mama and papa step by step during our visits. Thank you Lord for the sidewalk counselor who guided my mama and papa to Waterleaf. And thank you Lord for Waterleaf. They showed my parents such compassion and did not judge them but offered them options. Without them, my mama would have ended up at Planned Parenthood and for sure I would not be here safe in my mama’s womb saying this prayer. Amen.

THIS is why we show up every day! THIS is the impact of your faithful support! THIS is God asking us to keep serving in faith! This little guy already knows the power of prayer. As so do we – KEEP PRAYING!