Carlisle Area Family Life Center

by Lori Peters

The pro-life movement takes on many faces. Many work in the political world to elect pro-life candidates. Some pray in front of an abortion mill. Others make a pilgrimage to Washington, D.C. every year to participate in the March For Life. And some work on the front lines of the war between life and death at crisis pregnancy centers. The Carlisle community is home to one of those centers, the Carlisle Area Family Life Center.

Since 1979, the Carlisle Area Family Life Center, aka CAFLC, has been a nonprofit, nonjudgmental and non-denominational pregnancy and family resource and support center helping anyone in crisis. If a young woman or teenager finds herself pregnant, scared and alone, she can visit the center to find a warm and loving atmosphere in which to discuss her options. The center’s 30+ volunteers from all walks of life work with each person to offer life-affirming encouragement and guidance via lay counseling, pregnancy testing, referrals, education and baby or maternity clothing and supplies. If a client is interested and eligible, CAFLC volunteers also encourage her to participate in the “Learning and Earning for Expecting Moms” (LEEM) program, a video and discussion-based initiative about pregnancy, parenting and life skills. Clients who participate in the LEEM program are eligible to receive a stroller or portable crib. Every client who has just given birth also receives a “Basket for Baby” filled with basic baby clothing and supplies.

While CAFLC touts itself as a crisis pregnancy center, the center does much for families facing crises other than unplanned pregnancies. CAFLC is a family support service offering assistance and referrals to anyone facing joblessness, homelessness, domestic violence, drug abuse, etc. CAFLC offers bimonthly parenting classes for anyone with a concern or problem. CAFLC works with many community agencies as well in support of literacy and anti-hunger endeavors. CAFLC and centers like it display love in action because they provide practical assistance to help people choose and support life. To learn more, visit CAFLC’s website at www.carlislefamilylife.org. The center is located at 155 N. Hanover St. and is open 20 hours a week.

For additional writing from members and associates of the St. Gabriel Respect Life group, see below:

https://angela-smith-08lj.squarespace.com/our-pro-life-views/