The idea of “peer advocacy” is intimidating to some, and confusing to others. What do we mean when we talk about peer advocates, and what actually happens inside an appointment with clients at the pregnancy center? We dive into this topic on our most recent The Empowered Advocate podcast episode, The Advocate and the Appointment.
Stacy Helt, a long time volunteer, talks about how she got started as an advocate, the fears she faced, and how God has used her time at GPCC to see women choose life.
“When you become pregnant, any choice is difficult,” Stacy says, and she shares some practical tips and strategies for talking with clients in both a truthful and a loving way.
Listen to the episode below, watch on our YouTube Channel, or listen wherever you find podcasts. You can also view the episode timestamps below to jump ahead to whatever topic interests you the most. Happy listening!
Links Mentioned:
Open House – Register to attend the next Open House and take your first step toward becoming a volunteer.
Volunteer Opportunities – Scroll through the current volunteer opportunities to get an idea of GPCC’s needs.
Timestamps:
0:00 – Introducing Stacy Helt, peer advocate at GPCC.
2:10 – What is a Peer Advocate?
3:30 – Stacy describes what an appointment looks like for an advocate
4:55 – What made you want to become a Peer Advocate?
6:53 – What were you most nervous or apprehensive about when you got started?
9:00 – How does someone become a Peer Advocate?
12:50 – What tips or strategies can you give for how to connect with clients in the first moments of an appointment?
15:38 – Why it’s important to us as an organization to share the gospel message
16:30 – How do you naturally transition into talking about the gospel with clients?
21:10 – What has been the most challenging part of being a Peer Advocate?
23:00 – What has been the most rewarding part of being a Peer Advocate? Stacy shares a story of when a client chose life.
24:55 – Stacy shares about the moments when a client chooses abortion, and how we can respond to it as Peer Advocates.
29:20 – The do’s and don’ts of communicating with clients.
33:55 – How can a Peer Advocate provide tactful and gentle constructive feedback when a client expresses a viewpoint that is incorrect?
39:25 – How do advocates go about following up with clients post-appointment?
43:20 – Stacy shares how advocacy has impacted her personally.
45:34 – What advice would you give to someone who is interested in becoming a Peer Advocate?