Represented at the California State Capitol
Thanks to the efforts of the staff at California Family Council, I and other California pregnancy center directors were invited to attend a lobby day and represent Next Step at the State Capitol in Sacramento earlier this year.
Sharing Information
We were honored to be introduced in both the Senate and the Assembly, and recognized for the work we are doing in our communities. Many of us were able to have meetings with our local Senator or Assemblymember in their Sacramento offices. I was fortunate to spend time with the Legislative Director of Senator Glazer’s office. I was able to share with her about the services we are providing and the women we are serving. She was very interested to hear how we are supporting women and families in our community.
Bringing Awareness to What We Really Do
There have been several bills written this year specifically targeting pregnancy centers. Bills stating, we are fake clinics, we don’t have licensed medical professionals on staff, and we use false or misleading advertising. Of course, we know this is not accurate, however many of our legislative officials believe this is who we are. My hope by attending this lobby day was that I could change that narrative for at least one person working in the offices of our elected officials. I ended the day feeling encouraged, that there is now one person in Senator Glazer’s office aware of the REAL work being done by pregnancy centers. Along with California Family Council, and California Alliance of Pregnancy Care, I will continue to represent us at our State Capitol whenever God calls me to do so. California is not an easy state to be in for the work we are doing, however our God is bigger than any law or bill and we put our trust fully in Him. It continues to be my honor to serve in this role, thank you for your faith and trust in me, and our team of incredible staff and volunteers.
Blessings always,
Carrie
