Getting Involved

Interested in helping Birthright in its mission? There are several ways you can help:

Hold a Red Rose Day Fundraiser in Your Place of Worship

One of the ways to help pregnant mothers and their unborn support Birthright is through an annual Red Rose Day collection. Volunteers collect money following services at their place of worship for Birthright, give donors a red paper rose (the symbol of pro-life), and then send Birthright a check. Collections may be held on a date of your choice such as October - Respect Life month, Christmas, January anniversary of Rose v. Wade, Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, or Father's Day. Free supplies will be mailed to you. Call 412-621-1988 for more information.

Host a Baby Shower or Event to Collect Infant Clothing

Get your school or organization to host a shower, party, or event to collect clothing. One of the ways Birthright of Pittsburgh provides practical assistance to clients upon the arrival of a new baby is by giving a layette. Our center has preemie to 12 month size clothing that is new or gently worn. Some of the items we supply are receiving blankets, undershirts, sleepers, outfits, dresses, snowsuits, socks and diapers. Often we receive beautiful knitted or crocheted blankets, sweaters, dresses, mittens, hats and booties.

Donations

You can donate to Birthright by sending a check or money order to Birthright of Pittsburgh or by donating at United Way's site using contributor number 224.

You can also help by donating the following items:

Desktop computer with Ethernet card or laptop with wireless card
Office supplies (paper clips, staples, paper, inkjet cartridges, pens, envelopes, stamps, white out, scissors, etc)
Diapers (newborn through size 5)
Infant clothing (sizes preemie-12 months)
Receiving blankets
Infant fleece/snowsuits
Baby items including wipes, diaper cream, shampoo, soap, etc.
Breastfeeding supplies
Bottle warmers
Knit/crochet baby sweater sets, blankets, booties, hats

Buy Cookbooks

Birthright is taking orders for cookbooks, Red Rose Recipes. Red Rose Recipes has over 750 traditional and ethnic treasured recipes, including:

Appetizers and beverages
Soups and salads
Vegetables and side dishes
Main dishes
Breads and rolls
Desserts
Cookies and candy
This and that
Chef's specialties

Below is a sample recipe from the Birthright cookbook:

White Chocolate Cheesecake

1 (8 oz.) softened cream cheese
2 pkgs. each (4 serving size Jello, white chocolate flavor instant pudding mix)
2 cups cold milk
1 (8 oz.) Cool Whip topping, thawed.
1 (6 oz.) graham cracker crumb prepared pie crust
1 white chocolate bar

Beat cream cheese and 1/2 cup milk in large bowl with wire whisk until smooth. Add remaining 1 1/2 cups milk and pudding mixes. Beat with wire whisk 1 minute. Stir in whipped topping until smooth and well-blended. Spoon into crust. Refrigerate 4 hrs. or until set. Garnish with white chocolate curls made with Baker's chocolate. Store leftover pie in refrigerator. Makes 8 servings.

Cookbooks cost $12. Call the office at 412-621-1988 or send a $15 check/money order to:

Birthright of Pittsburgh
Omega Building, Suite 200
160 N. Craig Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

(the additional $3 is for postage).

Volunteer

We can always use new volunteers! Volunteers are needed for:

Client interaction and providing pregnancy tests
Enhancing Birthright newsletter (layout, graphics, content, articles)
Newsletter and brochure distribution
Updating the website
Creating and updating contact database
Speaking at schools, parishes, and community organizations about Birthright
Helping with Red Rose Day
Fundraising event assistance
Coordinating a diaper or clothing drive
Organizing infant clothing room

We have the best group of volunteers that share your commitment to help pregnant moms and babies.

Volunteers attend two three-hour sessions in the Birthright office. The hours for volunteering are flexible and there is free parking. We have volunteers of all ages from students to retired and in between! Volunteer training is held in February and October. Registration is necessary. However, for other times in the year, special arrangements can be made by calling the director for individual training. Call 412-621-1988 or email hope@birthrightpittsburgh.org for more information.

Words from Birthright Volunteers on Why They Joined Birthright

Regina: "To be completely honest, I first inquired about a position at Birthright because I thought I had a lot to give: my time, my youthful conviction, and my fresh talent. What I didn’t realize, however is just how much I would be given."
Mary Anne: "A 19-year-old friend was pregnant and the first person she confided in was a Birthright volunteer. The volunteer was extremely kind and supportive to her, providing exactly the type of help she needed at the time." Mary Anne was so impressed with the quality of care and concern her friend received from a Birthright volunteer, she decided to offer her own services.
Cathy: Cathy learned about a 26-year-old pregnant woman who had been told her baby had a birth defect and "would never be right." When the young woman decided to terminate the pregnancy, Cathy said she felt horrified. In response, she resolved "to work at Birthright so that this situation would not happen to anyone that I might reach."

What Do I Do At Birthright?

Henny Adorante

Many times friends and neighbors have asked me, "What do you do at Birthright?" Simply stated, we deal with human emotions during decisive moments and we try to help each individual accordingly. Most of all, we help them cope with an unexpected pregnancy following a positive test.

Who do we serve? The women who call us or come to our office are from every walk of life and age group. We hear or see the mature businesswoman, a married mother whose last child is a teenager, the young couple new in town, a young lady who is pursuing an education and the very young and innocent teen.

What do we see and hear in those moments? We encounter an outpouring of emotions from expressions of joy to tears and sobs of despair. What do we do in these crucial moments? First and foremost, we listen, share feelings, and we offer tissues and wipe tears, including our own. With a nonjudgmental and positive attitude, we try to calm, console and pray in silence to overcome the painful feelings of helplessness.

What do we say in the face of despair? Warm words, kind words, caring, loving, and encouraging words, always in the best interest of the small individual to be. Our last words? We believe that every human being that is conceived has the right to be born.

Birthright of Pittsburgh, Inc.