Last month, Jill, Terri, and Mike hosted a Zoom meeting with representatives from 15 local pregnancy centers to share the success and rapid growth of our men’s program, Courageous Dads. AWC has seen firsthand that when men are actively involved in appointments and decision-making, the women who walk through our purple doors are significantly more likely to choose life.
This mission to engage and support fathers didn’t happen overnight. It began with a vision, and a leader who saw a critical gap and felt called to fill it. Several years ago, Mike Yowler joined A Woman’s Concern with a passion to help. While our female clients receive love, encouragement, and support, Mike recognized that the men standing beside them need additional support to be the best fathers possible. They needed someone to look them in the eye and say, “I’m proud of you.”
Mike began creating a new approach to involve men more intentionally in the appointment process. When men are engaged in these critical moments, women are 82% more likely to choose life. As the program took shape, Mike recognized the importance of continuing to walk alongside these men beyond their initial visit. That realization led to the creation of our very specialized Courageous Dads program.
When men are engaged in these critical moments, women are 82% more likely to choose life.
The program started small. It was just a few men showing up consistently, but momentum grew. More men began attending, supporting not just the women in their lives, but each other. Today, every Thursday night, Mike gathers with a group of fathers to talk about what it means to be a loving father, a supportive husband, and a positive influence in their communities. And in June, we offered our first Courageous Dads class in Spanish!
Following this Zoom meeting for local pregnancy centers, we received encouraging feedback and thoughtful questions about funding, our messaging, and the vital role men play in this ministry. The enthusiasm was clear. Many in the meeting expressed a strong interest in starting or reinvigorating similar programs in their own communities.
We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to share the success of our Men’s Program with other pregnancy centers and for the strong partnerships we’ve built with local clinics. It’s our hope that this meeting will serve as a catalyst—sparking the development of men’s programs in centers across the region. When men are empowered to lead with courage and compassion, more lives are saved, and families are strengthened.
If you’re inspired by this vision, we invite you to partner with us as well.
Join us through prayer, support, or by helping raise awareness about the impact of men in the life decision. Together, we can build a community where families are strong, and life is cherished.
