Activism Policy

Conflict between abortion and pro-life forces have always been tense – one side protecting lives, the other protecting their pocketbooks. When crisis pregnancy centers came on the scene, the abortion clinics had serious competition and chose to deal with them in the public arena (i.e. editorials, smear campaigns).

However, when pro-lifers began to picket and counsel on the edge of clinic property, the abortionists’ business really began to suffer. They fought back using the strategy of keeping pro-lifers in the courts. There was one big problem – these pro-lifers were acting as individuals (not sent by a business) and were perfectly within their rights to be there! The steadfastness of these sidewalk counselors was and still is costing the abortionists a tremendous amount of business.

Then rescues began to take place throughout the nation. Although this act was against the law, there was still no organization with a financial backing to carry into court to reimburse the clinics for the lost business. So, the clinics began to look hungrily toward the crisis pregnancy centers. The only way the pregnancy centers can escape the high fees needed to defend against these frivolous lawsuits is to be able to prove that those involved in sidewalk counseling and rescues are not part of their organizations.

God has given WRC the responsibility to witness, counsel, and test the women in our community. For the leaders to put the ministry at risk is foolhardy and poor stewardship. This is the only reason that WRC must ask every volunteer to refrain from these two activities. To breach this request is to legally compromise the ministry. Abuse of this rule will constitute immediate dismissal.

Pro-life activities such as lobbying, campaigning, marching, standing in life-chains and most other legal activities are not only endorsed but encouraged as long as a person does not misrepresent himself/herself as a worker or agent of WRC or as attending on behalf of WRC.

Guiding Principles

1. WRC is a Christian alternative to abortion. It is our desire to be used by God as a tool in spreading the Gospel and to combat, reduce, and eliminate the sin of abortion. Board members, center directors, and volunteers must have individually received Jesus Christ as Savior.
2. WRC is totally committed to providing its clients with accurate and complete information about abortion, prenatal development, and premarital sex.
3. WRC will seek to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of women facing a problem or untimely pregnancy.
4. WRC never discriminates in ministering to the young women in distress because of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, or handicap.
5. WRC will not advise, provide for, or refer for abortion or abortifacients.
6. WRC will not assess any fees for services rendered to its clients and is committed to strict confidentiality.
7. WRC does not engage in contraceptive counseling or in referring clients for contraceptives or contraceptive services. Married women seeking contraceptive advice and/or information shall be urged to seek counsel, together with their husbands, from their minister and/or physician.
8. WRC is committed to demonstrating the love, forgiveness, and compassion of Jesus Christ through counsel, education, action, and creative services.
9. WRC is committed to helping fulfill the Great Commission and will endeavor to introduce its clients to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
10. WRC is committed to professional excellence and encourages all staff and volunteers to perform their duties and responsibilities in a highly professional manner, consistent with obedience to God’s commands.
11. WRC will strive to foster in all staff, volunteers, and clients a primary concern for the spiritual well-being of their own families and recognizes that establishing and maintaining a Christian home is the greatest contribution we will make throughout our lifetime.
12. WRC recognizes the need for presenting adoption as a loving, responsible and mature choice for young women facing an unplanned pregnancy. Single parenting and marriage are equally life-saving alternatives; therefore, WRC is not biased toward adoption. WRC will use a Christian adoption agency licensed in the State of Mississippi. Additionally, WRC neither initiates nor facilitates independent adoptions.

Statement of Faith

We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.

We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.

We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is essential and that the salvation is received through faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and not as a result of good works.

We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by who’s indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life and to perform good works.

We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.

We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Dress Code

WRC seeks to project an image of professionalism and competence to its clients and to the public. Therefore, all employees/volunteers are expected to dress appropriately, with attention to the message their attire communicates. Employees/Volunteers should dress in a manner appropriate for casual professional appearance (not wrinkles, holes or stains in clothing). While it is important not to dress in a manner that would intimidate clients, the attire of employees/volunteers should reflect competence, neatness and a professional demeanor. Shorts and revealing attire (tight or low-cut shirts, spaghetti straps, short skirts) are not appropriate during regular office hours. When wearing open-toed shoes, feet should be well-groomed. Kindly limit the use of scented hygiene items with respect to allergies of clients and volunteers. The ED will be responsible for evaluating the propriety of office dress and appearance.

Statement of Verification and Authorization

I understand that if I am approved to serve and if any statement herein is not true, I may be released immediately. I understand that if approved to serve, I will be required to abide by all WRC policies, standards, and regulations, as they are promulgated from time to time.

I hereby authorize WRC to contact any listed herein references to verify all information provided and to obtain all information related to my character. I further hereby release all references from any liability for information provided in good faith.

I hereby affirm that I have carefully read and agree with the ministry’s Activism Policy, Statement of Faith, Guiding Principles, and Dress Code Policy, copies of which were furnished to me in connection with this application form. I understand that, if at any time subsequent to beginning service I no longer agree with the ministry’s Activism Policy, Statement of Faith, Guiding Principles, and Dress Code Policy, or if I fail to meet the minimum requirements of the position, I may be disqualified from continued service.

I affirm that I have neither been convicted of nor am I the subject of pending charges for, any offense involving actual or attempted child abuse or sexual molestation in any jurisdiction.

I recognize that as a condition of my service I may be required to consent to and furnish WRC a criminal record check from federal, state, and/or local law enforcement agencies, and I consent to do so, realizing the importance of promoting WRC’s ability to protect its workers and those whom it serves.

I understand that this is an application for service and that no contract is being offered.

I hereby affirm and acknowledge, by signing immediately below, that all the information provided and all my answers to the foregoing questions are true and complete, and that any misrepresentation or omission may be grounds for rejection or, if later approved for service, dismissal.

VOLUNTEER CONFIDENTIALITY PLEDGE

Confidential information shall include all client information, personnel data, materials, products, technology, computer programs, specifications, manuals, business plans, software, marketing plans, financial information, and other information disclosed or submitted, orally, in writing, or by any other media, to the Volunteer by the Women’s Resource Center. Confidential information disclosed orally shall be identified as such.

The Volunteer agrees not to disclose its participation in any WRC function or program, the existence or terms and conditions of any Agreement, or the fact that discussions are being held with WRC staff or Board of Directors.

PLEDGE

I hereby pledge that all information, as listed above, will remain confidential. I will not discuss any information with anyone except the Executive Director, Assistant Director, Development Director or Nurse Manager.

I understand that if I break my pledge, I will no longer be permitted to volunteer for Sav-A-Life of the MS Gulf Coast’s Women’s Resource Center.