With continual updates and guidelines changing each and every day regarding the coronavirus pandemic, Heartbeat International is continuing in its mission of support for pregnancy help organizations.
Heartbeat is hosting a series of free webinars to assist the pregnancy help community in responding to the coronavirus situation, addressing how services might be affected, how to navigate communications and what the future might hold in light of the pandemic.
The webinars will be digitally interactive and are scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, March 17-19.
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Betty McDowell, Heartbeat's vice president of Ministry Services, said this is an unprecedented time in our world due to COVID-19, stressing that the ministry of helping women who are facing unplanned pregnancy was as crucial as ever.
"Pregnancy help is such a critical mission that each one of us was called into," McDowell said. "We know that while businesses may be closing, women are still in need of the vital resources and care that pregnancy help organizations provide."
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In the wake of pandemic-related developments such as restrictions nationwide on large gatherings and events, school closings, international travel restrictions, and states of emergency declared at the state and federal level, Heartbeat International President Jor-El Godsey reached out to the pregnancy help community this past Saturday, March 14, to inform its members that out of an abundance of caution Heartbeat was postponing its 49th annual Annual Conference scheduled for next month in Seattle. Heartbeat is in the process of refashioning the annual gathering with specifics forthcoming.
"While we are disappointed about the delay, we are excited about the doors God is opening that will allow us to still provide exceptional training to the pregnancy help community," Godsey said.
Demand for the upcoming webinar, titled, Coronavirus and Your Pregnancy Help Organization, was immediately high, with the first day's installment maxing out and moving to a wait-list in less than an hour. Numbers for days two and three were strong out of the gate as well. The sessions will take place at at noon EST each day.
The complimentary webinar series kicks off Tuesday, March 17, with Center Services in These Uncertain Times. The first webinar will be hosted by McDowell, Cindi Boston-Bilotta, Heartbeat's vice president of Mission Advancement and Beth Diemert, Ministry Services Specialist and faculty for Heartbeat' s Academy.
Wednesday, March 18. the webinar will be Messaging to Donors in These Uncertain Times, hosted by Kirk Walden, Advancement Specialist for Heartbeat International, along with Boston.
On Thursday, March 19, the series concludes with Moving Forward from These Uncertain Times, which will be hosted by McDowell and Godsey.
In addition to offering the webinar series at no charge, follow-up documents will be available for affiliates, who can also access the webinars at a later date, whether or not they were able to attend them live.
Specifics are available via the Heartbeat Services homepage.
Godsey and McDowell offered continued encouragement to the pregnancy help community.
"Please know that Heartbeat International is here to help strengthen your foundation, to pray for you, and to serve you," McDowell said.
"The pregnancy help movement is our mission!" said Godsey. "Remember Psalm 91 (“The Lord is my refuge”) and feel the presence of the Lord. We pray His protection over you, your team, your organization, and your family."
Editor's note: Pregnancy Help News is a project of Heartbeat International.
