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Who We AreThis is a peer to peer website, created for women and their families, by women. We exist to help women through what may be one of the most important journies in their lifetime. We seek to help women through their journey by providing emotional support, resources and factual information in a nongraphic, unbiased, open and honest manner. Mission Statement-We will educate by providing all relevant information for each option in one website. We will use accurate information presented in a nongraphic, objective, easily understood manner. -We believe that women are competent to make their own healthcare and childbearing decisions and will be able to make the best decision for herself and her pregnancy. -We also affirm that every individual has the right to make their own healthcare and childbearing decisions based upon complete and accurate information. Also we affirm every individual's right to do her own research and soul searching. This research may include, but is not limited to, reading books, online articles, talking to others who have had similar experiences, consulting medical practitioners or practitioners of other healing arts, and most importantly, consulting her higher power or her inner wisdom and intuition each person possesses. -We believe that each woman has the right to make her decision free from pressure, coercion or threat, subtle or clear otherwise. -We show compassion and respect and will not judge any woman for any decision she makes. -We will encourage women to take time with this decision, to find answers to all concerns and questions, to consider the impact each choice will have on her life, and to explore every option with an open mind, a courageous heart, and a determination to do what is right. Staff  Lahela currently works at a small community library as a children's librarian assistant. When she's not working, she likes to read political and medical blogs, books (non-fiction and fiction), swim, and listen to music. But mostly she's dedicated to being a peer counselor for women facing an unplanned pregnancy and/or past abortion(s) and wishes to offer loving, non-judgmental support. Lahela graduated from high school in 2002 and has two years of college study in Administrative Office Technology. She completed a yearlong peer counseling training program imbetween her sophomore and junior years of high school. Also during this time, she completed and received a certificate for 6 contact hours of Infant Adoption Awareness Adoption Liason training (17 May 2003). (Provided by the National Council for Adoption, through a grant from the state of Indiana. Training personnel provided by Bethany Christian Services.) She has been an active volunteer in various community betterment programs over the years including a home restoration/repair project in a poor, rural community in the Appalachian Mountains, preparation and serving food at the local soup kitchen, and stocking/distribution of items at the local food bank. In addition, she also currently co-moderates Pregnant_Teen_Support, an online message board for teens facing an unplanned pregnancy, and is also an accepted member of the following online unplanned pregnancy/abortion recovery support communities: I Might Be Pregnant, IVIllage Abortion Support Board, and the PASS Support Boards. hen her long-time friend, S* became unexpectedly pregnant at the age of 19, she has been there by her side and assisted her through her unplanned pregnancy and parenting. Through experience and knowledge, she hopes to continue to be a source of knowledge and support for others. Contact Information E-mail: lahela@passhugs.com Yahoo! Messanger: lahela_rose AOL Instant Messanger: LahelaRose How to Support the Site Volunteer: Position Junior Women's Advocate Job Description Sisters in Journey offers a message board which can be accessed by women and their loved ones anywhere in the world and at any time of day. Women's advocates are volunteers who are available to discuss pregnancy options with her and continue to support the woman after the decision is made, offer information and provide referrals as needed, and provide listening ear and a supportive shoulder to lean on. Requirements -A deep commitment to the tenents of our mission statement and providing non-judgemental and caring support to women and their loved ones. -Must be willing to set aside your personal and political views, and be completely neutral and non-judgmental in your support when volunteering. -A basic knowledge and interest in the complexities of pregnancy, adoption, abortion and parenting and how they affect women and their loved ones. Personal experience is preferred, but not required. -2 years of experience in peer counseling in a high school or college enviroment (w/ experience in conflict resolution and contemporary issues such as drug/alcohol addiction, domestic violence, sexually transmitted diseases, and sexual assault) or a professional counseling degree. -Participation in approximately 40 hours of initial training, covering all aspects of pregnancy options and general counseling skills. -Knowledge of basic computer skills and internet use. -Highly self-motivated -Effective oral and written communication skills -Involvement on the message board is mandatory. On the days you are available, you must be active on the message board by responding to any new client messages, responding to current clients, and following up with previous clients. Additional Volunteer Opportunities Sisters in Journey has many opportunities for highly motivated volunteers with a commitment to our mission and work. Please e-mail us for more information. Order Business Cards (Coming Soon!) Share This Site With Others! Website Frequently Asked Questions What led you to decide to build this website? Who runs Sisters in Journey? Who are You Affiliated With? We are not affiliated with any religious or political organization, group, or party. We are not endorsed by any organization, nor are we involved in political activism. Are you Pro-choice or Anti-abortion? Our Core Values can be found in our Mission Statement above. In order to maintain a supportive and safe enviroment for women seeking information and support on her pregnancy options and/or her situation, we do not participate in political activism, nor we do allow discussion of prolife or prochoice views or other contraversial issues here. This is not a judgement on the validity of others opinions or thoughts, this is simply what we have to do in order to keep arguments, debate, and non-supportive discussions from taking place. If you are interested in discussing prochoice or prolife views, you can search the web for other sites that offer political discussions. All conversations here should be strictly about support, and not about PC or PL views, news about abortion or abortion's legal status. How are the volunteer Women's Advocates trained? How is Sisters in Journey funded? Our site is completely funded by private donations by individuals. We are not associated with and recieve no money from any outside group. This allows us to keep our neutral stance, and have no strings attached to our support, like their might be if we were funded by an outside group or religious or political organization. The site does not make a profit, we are completely staffed by volunteers, and any money we get goes directly back into paying the the cost of running the site and keeping it online. |
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