This story comes from Steve Macias, our West Coast Field Agent who is based out of California, Nevada and Arizona. He has working on campuses in the region and has started 12 pro-life student groups this semester.
One of the techniques Students for life of Amercia (SFLA) teaches students and Field Agents is clipboarding. Clipboarding is an easy way to find pro-life students on campus by polling students, asking simple questions, and gathering information. We use this opportunity to either introduce the pro-life message or recruit students to lead a new pro-life group on campus.
Steve’s first day on campus in August was a little intimidating. It was a beautiful summer day and students were beginning their semester at Sacramento City College. He started his first day on campus clipboarding and had a remarkable experience. This is what happened in his words:
“As you know, a large part of the Field Agent’s job is rather unglorious. We spend a lot of time getting a feel for the campus and meet hundreds on students in a matter of hours. But some interactions truly stand out and show the real need for Students for Life on these campuses. One such interaction happened while I was clip boarding at Sacramento City College students.
While I was clip boarding, I approached a young woman who was walking between classes on her first day of college. I asked her if I could talk with her for a moment, she eagerly said yes. I then asked, ‘What do you think about abortion?’ She immediately began to tear up and asked, ‘How did you know?’ I assured her I didn’t know anything about her and apologized for upsetting her.
For the next few minutes, she began to pour her heart out to me. She told me that she was pregnant and her boyfriend wants her to abort their child. She told me, ‘I know it’s not right but I just don’t know what to do, I don’t have anyone to go to.’
I sat down with her and showed her some literature about child development and what her baby probably looks like right now. I prayed with her and then gave her the information for the local pro-life Pregnancy Resource Center. When we parted ways she thanked me and promised to visit the center.
It is short moments like this that make all of our work worthwhile.”
When Steve called us with this news, our office was full of cheers as we realized that this young woman was set on the path to giving her child life! We are so excited that Steve was able to be at Sacramento City College that day to speak with that young woman.