Stepping off the Sidelines: Volunteering with TPN

Listen to Episode 7: Stepping off the Sideline: Volunteering with TPN 

On the podcast, Allison shares what it means to be volunteer-led and staff-supported: “Our peer advocates, class facilitators, and admin volunteers actually do the ministry that we offer to women…To use a sports analogy, let’s just say that the role of the staff is similar to that of coaches on a football team, with the volunteers executing as the players and assistants.” Allison explained that while the coaches prepare the players and are ultimately responsible for the team’s success, the players carry out the mission. Assistants prep the field, and support the team with water, towels, and supplies.

In this episode, Allison shares how three volunteer groups — organizational and administrative, health and client services, and development  — work together to empower women facing unplanned pregnancies. 

Organizational and Administrative Teams

Our organizational and administrative volunteer teams ensure our space is welcoming, clean and organized. Allison said these teams “underpin a lot of the things we are able to execute.” Continuing the sports team analogy, she noted “they are really the people that are preparing the field and bringing the water and supporting, because it allows us to continue to serve clients and women in such a difficult season of their life… to remove those barriers when they get to our offices.” This group of volunteer teams also includes the Encouragement team, Hospitality team, and Prayer Team. 

Health and Client Services

The next group of volunteer teams directly support women we serve; this group includes peer advocates, class facilitators, sidewalk advocates and mentors. Allison shared that the Peer Advocate volunteer team is “ideal for someone who is empathetic and a good listener but can also have hard emotional conversations.” She noted that extensive training goes into preparation for this position. Volunteers who serve as a class facilitators equip and encourage women attending our Pregnancy 101, Parenting 101 and Abortion Recovery classes. The Sidewalk Advocate team has a prayerful, peaceful presence outside of the abortion facility, and offers resources and information to women considering abortions. Lastly, the Connect Mentorship program pairs women with a trained mentor. Allison noted this program “is as unique as all of the women as we serve,” and gives volunteers the opportunity to be a support system and walk alongside women facing unplanned pregnancies.

Development Team

Allison shared that Development Teams foster partnerships with local churches and local organizations. This includes our Church Engagement Team, Fundraising Teams and Event Planning Teams. These volunteers not only have an important role during major events, such as the Walk for Life, but also facilitate planning baby showers and gathering resources. 

Listen to the episode here to find out more about the unique ways you can serve. 

When you serve as a volunteer with The Pregnancy Network, you become a part of something bigger than yourself. No matter where you serve, every person makes an impact on the life of another. You have a vital role to play in this mission.

Ready to step off the sidelines?

Next Steps to Becoming a Volunteer