Care Net

Care Net is an evangelical Christian crisis pregnancy center organization operating primarily in the United States. As an anti-abortion organization its centers seek to persuade a person not to have an abortion.[1] Headquartered in Northern Virginia, it is one of the nation's two largest networks of pregnancy centers (along with Heartbeat International).

History

According to its literature, Care Net was influenced by the leadership of former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. C. Everett Koop and Christian apologist Dr. Francis Schaeffer. The organization was founded in 1975 as the Christian Action Council by Dr. Harold O. J. Brown, with its primary focus to engage evangelicals in responding to the "abortion crisis". It opened its first crisis pregnancy center in 1983.[2]

In the 1990s, the organization’s mission shifted toward supporting anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers; in 1999, the organization changed its name to Care Net. Today, Care Net has more than 1,100 affiliated pregnancy centers across North America.[3][4] In 2012, Roland C Warren, former president of the National Fatherhood Initiative, joined Care Net as president and CEO.[5]

Activities

In addition to counseling clients against abortion, Care Net affiliated centers may provide clients with services such as temporary shelter, help with jobs, debt and welfare applications, Bible study, and baby supplies such as used clothing, diapers and formula.[6][7] Care Net, like other CPC networks, touts medically disputed or discredited information about the supposed health risks of abortion;[8][9][10] it sometimes locates its centers near Planned Parenthood clinics and uses signs that read "Pregnant? Considering abortion? Free services," or otherwise advertises them as though they were medical clinics.[11][6] Some Care Net affiliated clinics offer ultrasounds.[6] Care Net pregnancy centers have been honored by at least fifteen state legislatures, according to advocacy organization Americans United for Life.[12]

Religious nature

Care Net requires all employees and volunteers of affiliated centers to be Christian and comply with a statement of faith.[13][14]

References
  1. "Care Net Website".
  2. "Passion to Serve 2010, Page 7" (PDF). Family Research Council Website. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  3. "History". Care Net Website. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  4. "Affiliation". Care Net Website. Archived from the original on 29 December 2010. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  5. "Warren Bio". Care Net Website. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  6. Pam Belluck (4 January 2013). "Pregnancy Centers Gain Influence in Anti-Abortion Fight". NYTimes.com. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  7. Gleick, Elizabeth (February 20, 1995). "Where can pregnant teens turn?". Time.
  8. Freking, Kevin (July 18, 2006). "Report: Women Misled on Abortion Risks". The Washington Post. AP.
  9. "Cranston center adds to 'pro-life' arsenal". Providence Journal. January 10, 2008.
  10. Restrepo, Marcos (September 7, 2010). "State-funded pregnancy clinics disseminate questionable science on abortion". Florida Independent.
  11. "Advertising Practices Raise Concerns".
  12. "Defending Life 2013, Page 152". Americans United for Life Website. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  13. "Care Net Standards of Affiliation" (PDF). Care Net. Retrieved 2016-02-11.
  14. "Care Net Statement of Faith" (PDF). Care Net. Retrieved 2016-02-11.
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