From Jennifer's Desk

Hundreds of smiles and balloons at Capital Walk for LIFE

2009-05-17T08:15:00.000-07:00

Hundreds gathered on May 16th at the West steps of the state capital
to celebrate our annual Capitol Walk for Life.

Several clients shared their stories of how Alternatives has made a huge difference in
the challenges they faced in pregnancy and parenting. They smiled as they
told the crowd gathered about the kindness and care they receive from the
wonderful staff.

I thanked all of those who gathered to support and raise funds so that our services could continue to be plentiful to meet the needs of women and babies in our community.

A courageous PACE graduate shared her testimony of being forgiven and set free from the pain of her past abortion.

I then led all those who gathered in releasing hundreds of balloons up into the sky in remembrance of all those babies who will never take a step on this earth, but are taking steps in heaven, and we then prayed for the hope that one day all babies will be able to take a step here on earth, because abortion will be no more.

It was a day of Joy, remembrance,balloons laughter, tears, and 1000's of steps for Life.

Thank you to everyone who made this day possible.

Jennifer Zachariou

Happy Mothers Day

2009-05-05T09:03:00.000-07:00

Making a decision to have a child-it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. - Elizabeth Stone

Every week in our center we witness the miracle of women
deciding to embark on the journey of motherhood.( whether by conscious choice, or
unplanned circumstance) Our hope and prayer is that we do all we can to
lighten the load of this journey by joining hands and hearts with these incredible women.

it is said " Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever". - Author Unknown
May each woman who has come into Alternatives look back on her journey and know that
for a short time... someone here held her hand for a short while, so that her heart could
be joined with her child's forever.

Happy Mothers day to all the Heroic women out there
called Mothers.

Jennifer Zachariou
Executive Director

One More Video For Life

2008-04-25T16:45:00.000-07:00

"Can I Live" by popular singer Nick Cannon is a story about his moms journey of choosing life

This story is similar what we witness on a weekly bases at Alternatives

Video For Life

2008-04-25T12:13:00.000-07:00

Please watch this amazing music video
This video is very powerful. It is by FLYPSIDE. I encourage you to watch it and
listen to the heart of this "post-abortive" young man.

This video is just an example of the "Arts' being used to speak a strong message in
support of the Sanctity of Human Life.

Hollywood has put out many films this year with a strong message that says:

"A person is a person not matter how small" (Horton hears a who)

"I am pregnant, and i want to share this life with a family who cannot have a baby of their own" (JUNO)

"It was a one night stand, but this baby is not a mistake" (Knocked-up)

I am praying that Hollywood keeps up these messages, and that hearts are touched with truth while listening in one of the "Sanctuaries of the world"--the movie theater.

One Image at a time.

2008-04-21T16:35:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to report that our ultrasound machine has finally arrived. Many of you have already heard this news, but if you have not, you can now begin to celebrate this wonderful news with us.
Clients of Alternatives are now receiving,free of charge, ultrasound imaging which help them in making informed choices for Life.

An ultrasound image is truly a "window into the womb"
and the high quality of the one we offer here, truly is a service of Excellence to our community. I am so proud of the difference that Alternatives is making, as an organization of hope and help, within Sacramento. Thank you to those of you have given consistently to Alternatives'. Your gift truly makes a difference everyday. One ultrasound image at a time.
Thank you and be blessed.

Jennifer Zachariou

From Jennifer's Desk

2007-11-20T23:13:00.000-08:00

Dear Partners,

Thank you for all that you do to make Alternatives a place of hope and healing to so many hurting men and women in the Sacramento community. Without your generous donations we could not keep our doors open.

I cannot tell you how happy I am that I have a way to communicate with you on a regular basis through this wonderful new web site. Keep checking back and I will be leaving you regular updates and messages about what is happening around the center. Lots of new events and programs are being created, and I will highlight these so that you know what is ahead and how you can participate. I want to continuously update you on how your giving is making a difference in this community, so I will be highlighting center success stories so that you can connect with our clients through their testimonies of Life.

My goal in creating this partner web site is three-fold: connection, communication, and community.

I welcome and value your communication to me. I would love to receive your email at Jennifer@aprc.info with any comments or questions that you may have. My connection to you is also just a phone call away at (916) 880-4040. I will make it a priority to take time to talk with you. You are important to me and to all of us at Alternatives. I look forward to meeting many of you for the first time at our upcoming Legacy Banquet for Life. See you there!

Who knows whom you may someday pass along life’s path that received the opportunity to take their first steps because of your commitment to the sanctity of human life!

On behalf of these little footprints: Thank you.

Jennifer Zachariou
Executive Director

Happy Thanks-living

2007-11-15T10:44:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanks-living is not a spelling error, but an attitude for a healthy life and a truly Happy Thanksgiving.

It is Thanksgiving time, and here at Alternatives we are so thankful for all that we see God doing in the lives of young women who walk into the center everyday needing hope and a listening ear. It is so important to me that the staff and volunteers of Alternatives continuously look around and see what we have to be Thankful for, and to live that attitude boldly throughout the center. When a young girl walks into the center for a pregnancy test, we sometimes wonder if we are really making a difference. It is not easy for staff and volunteers to know that some of the girls they meet with will not choose to see the life within them as a blessing, but instead keep their appointments at an abortion clinic. A powerful reminder to all of us is this fact; even though terminating the life of a baby in the womb is a deep injury to the mother, a missed opportunity for the father, and a loss to the global family, the little babies who may not walk their steps on this EARTH, will walk their steps in HEAVEN. So, we move forward as a team grateful to know that God is and always will be God, and circumstances do not change that fact.
Thanks-living is when we choose to stop what we are doing around the center and walk over and offer a hug, a prayer, and a word of hope to one another. It is reminding each other that we are a part of a mission that is very precious to the heart of God.

Thanks-living is contagious, and my prayer is that it continues to spread throughout our community and change the way we look at what we think is truly important in this life. As partners of the ministry of Alternatives, your prayers and financial contributions are a tremendous encouragement to all of us each and every month. They remind us that you care, and that you value life and what is eternal. I want you to know that any amount makes a great difference. You are keeping our doors open, our lights on, our billboard up, our name bold and present in the phone book, and our resources stocked and ready to give out. We have met with over 1400 clients this year, and this could not happen if you did not choose to give. When you choose to give toward Life, when you acknowledge that God is your resource and that you are blessed to be a blessing, even to those whom you may never meet in this life, you are Thanks-living!

With Thankfulness to you,
Jennifer Zachariou

Alternatives Banquet was a fantastic evening for LIFE!

2007-11-01T13:49:00.001-07:00

Dear partners,

I hope that many of you had the opportunity to come to this years banquet, we had such a wonderful evening together celebrating life. The food was wonderful, the jazz band smooth, and the silent auction so much fun. and all of this to save babies? you bet.

Pam Stenzel, our guest speaker, was absolutely amazing. I came away with a much deeper understanding of what is facing our teens and young adults in the area of Sexually transmitted disease, unplanned pregnancies, and the lies that our society is believing about "safe-sex." Since the banquet we have been talking about the importance of training parents on how to talk with their teens about sexual purity. We are looking to have classes held here in the center in 2008 that will equip parents in teaching about this very important topic. I will be posting upcoming dates on our web site so please be looking for this information if you are interested.

Thank you for giving financially at the banquet, and thank you for helping us as we look to the future in starting new satellite centers to help meet the growing need of young women and their families in the greater Sacramento area. We are dreaming big because we serve a Big GOD!

Be a blessing,
Jennifer Zachariou