A Brave Beginning

One summer day in 2023, the Sanctuary Outreach 24/7 helpline rang. On the line was a young couple who had just discovered they were pregnant. They were terrified. She was working full-time to support them, while he was enrolled in a post-secondary program. Her income was their lifeline and barely enough to get by. Without it, the fragile blueprint they'd built for their future would collapse. Abortion seemed like the only option. They had no family to turn to, no close friends and no community network strong enough to offer the kind of support they'd need to raise a child while staying on track with their plans. The thought of adding a baby and losing an income made life feel utterly unmanageable. Over the following week, the couple and the team at Sanctuary Outreach chatted about how a baby would change their lives and types of support available. Then, during one pivotal moment after much discussion, the couple made their decision: their preborn baby would live.

As the baby grew, so did the connection between this couple and the Sanctuary Outreach team. Staff stood by their side, attending appointments, navigating complex application systems, talking openly about finances, plugging into community resources, and gathering newborn essentials.

In 2024, their beautiful baby girl was born. Her tiny coos and sleepy snuggles filled this young couple's heart in ways they hadn’t imagined possible. Sanctuary Outreach remained a steady presence throughout the year that followed, walking with them through the ongoing, very real challenges of  life. Yet what initially seemed like the hardest path for them turned out to be the start of something extraordinary. As they leaned into the struggle, they uncovered a journey rich with cherished memories, new milestones, and a love deeper than words could ever capture.