Pennsylvania nonprofit is dedicated to helping pregnant women avoid abortion's ‘hopelessness’
Real Alternatives is helping women feel 'empowered for life,' CEO Kevin Bagatta told 'Fox and Friends'
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Though the popular culture may suggest otherwise, women who find themselves unexpectedly pregnant have a lot more options for themselves and their babies than the pro-choice segment of society may suggest they do.
Pennsylvania nonprofit Real Alternatives is offering a program that provides services to new and expectant mothers who are in need of extra support.
Real Alternatives founding CEO Kevin Bagatta joined "Fox & Friends" on Wednesday morning to discuss how — for the past 27 years — the organization has dedicated state funding to adoption agencies, maternity homes, pregnancy centers and Catholic charities.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Bagatta quoted former Pennsylvania Gov. Robert P. Casey, who said at the first Real Alternatives banquet, "Our business is to fight the poison of hopelessness with love."
Real Alternatives founding CEO Kevin Bagatta appeared on "Fox and Friends" on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, to discuss his charitable organization's programs and offerings. (Fox News)
"And that’s really what the program is about," Bagatta said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The CEO said that across all agencies, there are more than 400 counselors available at any given time to provide support to women who are feeling the pressure of maintaining their pregnancy and giving birth to their baby.
"The first and most important thing [the counselors] do is listen," he said. "Listen and meet her where she is — ask her what the stressors are, what her pressures are — and then we help her help herself."
A pregnant woman shown here is close to giving birth to her baby. (iStock)
Bagatta explained that Pennsylvania is serving as an example to the rest of the states that will now be expected to step up amid the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
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The nonprofit currently serves 337,000 women in Pennsylvania.
It has also expanded the efforts in Indiana, where 92,000 women are receiving help.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"We’ve helped 12 other states to start programs, and we need, obviously, to help more and build capacity, so women feel empowered for life," he said.
Pro-life women celebrate following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and send the issue of abortion back to the states, outside the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on Friday, June 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)
As controversial as the abortion debate is, Bagatta takes pride in the way his business provides a positive approach.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"That’s what America’s about," he said.
"We help people. We solve problems. And that’s what this program represents."
His group offers "free, caring and completely confidential pregnancy and parenting support services" at 1-888-LIFE-AID. The website of Real Alternatives (realalternatives.org) also shares other key information.