By Maria V. Gallagher, Legislative Director, Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation
In the heart of the City of Brotherly Love lies an oasis of hope.
The late Rev. Herbert Lusk II, the football player-turned-pastor, founded 13 years ago in Philadelphia, the abortion capital of Pennsylvania.
The legacy of the HOPE Center rests in lives saved and hearts changed. In the year 2021 alone, it is estimated that this pregnancy resource center has saved 113 precious lives. In addition, nearly 400 women have been served by counseling and with material goods.
As former Director Marlene Downing states, “Someday we will know the true impact that came from giving, loving, and standing in the gap for these babies…”
And as the center’s fundraising banquet program notes, “By offering pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, counseling, education, and other practical helps at no cost to the client, an opportunity is created for an abortion-minded person to see life, a future, and a HOPE.”
The scope of HOPE’s counseling is holistic, covering not only unexpected pregnancy, but also areas including abuse, finances, employment, and housing.
The resources HOPE provides are sorely needed in this corner of the world. After all, Philadelphia is where convicted abortionist Kermit Gosnell once plied his grisly trade. Gosnell was ultimately convicted of murdering three newborn babies and involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of an immigrant patient, Karnamaya Mongar. He is now serving consecutive life terms in prison for his shocking crimes.
The HOPE Center has reached out to this shell-shocked community and offered a hope for a better tomorrow. It is a shining example of the miracles that can be accomplished by ordinary people doing extraordinary work.
To find out more about the HOPE Center, please click here.