SHORE Centre upset following anti-abortion flyers distributed
Posted Mar 4, 2022 01:45:00 PM.
Residents within Waterloo Region woke up to flyers left on their doorstep shaming abortion.
The flyers stated that the procedure is linked to suicide, substance abuse, breast cancer, depression and infertility.
TK Pritchard is the Executive Director of SHORE Centre, and said the flyers are simply incorrect.
“None of that is based on any scientific evidence,” they said. “In fact, it has been proven otherwise. It's very impactful for the team when we hear people talking about abortion in ways that really are not true.”
They added the spread of misinformation is really harmful to the clients and community, as well as their staff.
In an effort to combat those flyers and any of its kind, staff from SHORE really focus on putting information out about the realities of abortion.
“We're working really hard to counter those messages through resources on our website, and through our social media, as well as within the actual services that we offer, and in our educational programming,” said Pritchard. “We want to make sure that people know that abortions are incredibly safe and common.”
“Many people access them. And if they want an abortion, we are here for them and will walk alongside them throughout the entire process.”
According to Pritchard, stigmas surrounding abortion are very common, and people often believe things about the procedure that aren't true.
“It creates real fear and anxiety. When people come to see us and use our counselling services, they know that they want to have an abortion, but they've heard pieces of information that are not factual and they are afraid of those pieces,” they said.
Pritchard added they want people to understand the gravity of what these messages do, how they can really impact somebody, and their ability to make a free choice as well.
The SHORE Centre is always looking for monthly members to give the organization stable and ongoing funding to provide services.
“People can become a monthly donor at any level that's comfortable for them,” Pritchard said. “Some people give $5, and others give $300 a month.”
“It's really up to what works best for them, and all of it helps us.”
This year is also the 50th anniversary for the SHORE Centre, and there are some upcoming events people can look forward to.
“Coming up at the end of March, we'll release our first fundraiser, which is a peer to peer fundraiser that will give participants the opportunity to show off their baking and decorating skills,” Pritchard said.
In August, a large outdoor party will also be held.
And then in the fall, they will be hosting a movie screening.
“We have three opportunities for people to engage, all of which we'll start posting to our social medias and channels. If people want to sign up to become a newsletter recipient or a monthly donor, they will also receive updates on the upcoming events,” said Pritchard.
