Sex Trafficking Safety Plan Are You a Victim? Signs Fight Trafficking Training & Action Groups Write Authorities about Human Trafficking in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. Join the Resistance! ​ Write Your Local Authorities! ​ Write your MLA and Provincial Leaders hand written, as well as email letters, one letter a month. Research shows written letters are powerful. Write on one topic per month or write about all 12 topics each month. You don't have to say a lot, just say what you want ... and be encouraging, too, they have a tough job, so thank them for what they are doing ... but be bold and demand change now! Commercial rape must be eradicated from our community! ​ Write them about issues like: 1. Women needing to receive compassionate reception when reporting being trafficked. 2. Women not needing to testify about sex trafficking in person, in front of their pimp, but through video. 3. That all RCMP receive training in human / sex trafficking sensitivity and trauma informed care. 4. That all judges, first-responders and health care workers be trained in sex trafficking sensitivity and trauma informed care. 5. Allow the RCMP to arrest a suspect of sex trafficking just like they can now arrest a suspect of domestic violence. 6. Treat women with kindness and gentleness and special reception when they come forward to report a sex trafficking violation (not in a cold, authority "police" room, but with plain clothes female personnel and in a warm e nvironment). 7. Not to legalize prostitution. 8. Prosecute all buyers of sex with prison, fines and publicizing their names. 9. To put an end to the commercial rape in our province. 10. Mandate elementary school p resentations in grade 5 to explain the dangers of luring online. 11. Demand "John Stings" by the RCMP with tough penalties for those looking to buy sex. 12. Demand the end to commercial rape in Nova Scotia and the sale / export of girls from our community. ​ Find Your Nova Scotia MLA . ​ Office of the Premier - Honourable Tim Houston Phone: (902) 424-6600 Email: PREMIER@novascotia.ca Mailing Address: The Honourable Tim Houston P.O. Box 726 Halifax, NS B3J 2T3 ​ MP Kody Blois Email: Kody.Blois@parl.gc.ca Write Him at His Hill Office (postage-free) Kody Blois, MP House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0A6 ​ Prime Minister, The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau Leader of the Liberal Party Email: justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca ​ Write Him at His Hill Office (postage-free) The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P. Prime Minister of Canada, House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0A6 ​ The Honourable Pierre Poilievre Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada Email: pierre.poilievre@parl.gc.ca Write Him at His Hill Office (postage-free) The Honourable Pierre Poilievre House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0A6 ​ The Honourable Yves-François Blanchet Leader o f the Bloc Québécois Email: Yves-Francois.Blanchet@parl.gc.ca ​ Write Him at His Hill Office (postage-free) The Honourable Yves-François Blanchet House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0A6 ​ The Honourable Jagmeet Singh Leader of the New Democratic Party Email: Jagmeet.Singh@parl.gc.ca ​ Write Him at His Hill Office (postage-free) The Honourable Jagmeet Singh House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0A6 ​ Click HERE to sign up for future conference dates and our follow-up networking events . ​ The graphic used for this conference is meant to depict the heart of the ones we hope to help. Feeling trapped within themselves or in their circumstances, yet inwardly reaching out or hoping for, or open to help.

An Investment for the Future Couple your investment portfolio with your charitable giving. If you have any reasonably appreciated publicly listed securities residing outside of an RSP, donating those assets can bring terrific additional tax savings. All such gifts will result in the elimination of tax on the capital gain. Plus, you still receive a charitable receipt for the full value of the stock. These two forms of tax savings can reduce the cost of a gift substantially. Please contact us if you would like a more specific illustration of how this works. Options include: Public Stock Bonds Mutual Funds It’s easy and efficient. Big Brothers will even provide a step by step guide.

Monthly Giving One Time Gift Planned Giving Donate Stocks

Sex Trafficking Safety Plan Are You a Victim? Signs Fight Trafficking Training & Action Groups Human Trafficking Safety Plan These tips were drawn from the National Human Trafficking Hotline Website Potential Red Flags for Human Trafficking Situations Everyone has the potential to discover a human trafficking situation. While the victims may sometimes be kept behind locked doors, they are often hidden right in front of us at, for example, construction sites, restaurants, elder care centers, nail salons, agricultural fields, and hotels. Traffickers’ use of coercion – such as threats of deportation and harm to the victim or their family members – is so powerful that even if you reach out to victims, they may be too fearful to accept your help. Knowing indicators of human trafficking and some follow up questions will help you act on your gut feeling that something is wrong and report it. Human Trafficking Indicators While not an exhaustive list, these are some key red flags that could alert you to a potential trafficking situation that should be reported: Living with employer Poor living conditions Multiple people in cramped space Inability to speak to individual alone Answers appear to be scripted and rehearsed Employer is holding identity documents Signs of physical abuse Submissive or fearful Unpaid or paid very little Under 18 and in prostitution Questions to Ask Assuming you have the opportunity to speak with a potential victim privately and without jeopardizing the victim’s safety because the trafficker is watching, here are some sample questions to ask to follow up on the red flags you became alert to: Can you leave your job if you want to? Can you come and go as you please? Have you been hurt or threatened if you tried to leave? Has your family been threatened? Do you live with your employer? Where do you sleep and eat? Are you in debt to your employer? Do you have your passport/identification? Who has it? Where to Get Help If you believe you have identified someone still in the trafficking situation, alert law enforcement immediately at the numbers provided below. It may be unsafe to attempt to rescue a trafficking victim. You have no way of knowing how the trafficker may react and retaliate against the victim and you. Call the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-833-900-1010 (information on this point is from https://www.state.gov/j/tip/id/) General Safety Tips Be vigilant and aware of your surroundings. If possible, create safety words with trusted friends/relatives. One word can mean that it is safe to talk and you are alone. A separate word can mean you are not safe. It is also important to communicate what you would like done (cease communication immediately, call 9-1-1, meet somewhere to pick you up, etc.). Contact a long-time trusted friend or family member, co-worker or teacher if you suspect you may be in danger. Your partner/employer should not be in control of your identity documents. They should be safe and secure on your person or in a safe place where you can access them. Memorize the contact information of people you trust in case you are in trouble. Do not share their contact information with people you have only met recently (within the last six months). Do not share lots of personal information or details about your friends or family with people you have met recently (within the last few weeks). Sex traffickers use the information you give them about your friends and family to blackmail you later. If you think you might be in immediate danger or you are experiencing an emergency, contact 9-1-1 first. Online Safety Tips Location-Finders in Apps Know that sex traffickers can use the locaion-finder (active in many social apps today) to find you and track your movements. They can also use it to find where you go regularly and "pretend" to meet you "by chance". So do not add people to your friend list in apps unless you know them for a few months and trust them. Public Computers Public Computers at local public libraries or community centers can be monitored. So be careful when using them. Search History Even if you delete your search history, there are programs that people can use to capture all keystrokes on a computer (they can read everything you write) and all websites you visit. So if you share your computer with anyone, you should know about this. Social Media Privacy Settings Make sure your privacy settings are enabled so you are not sharing your location, personal information or with strangers. Ensure that your photos you take on your cell phone do not include location. Password Safety Change passwords and PINs every six months. Search Yourself Do a search on Google, Bing, and Yahoo for your full name and city or state to screen all publicly available information that someone can find about you on the Internet. Also, be cautious about having photos of you or your children displayed online. Safety Tips & Apps for Smart Phones It is our opinion, and supported by local authorities, that a cell phone today in the hands of a young person is as powerful and dangerous as carrying a gun. Parents and guardians need to know all passwords and all content of their child's cell phone and social media content at all times. There are a variety of apps for smart phones to keep you or your loved ones safe. Learn about and download the apps that you think would work best for you. A list of common apps is below. The National Human Trafficking Hotline is not affiliated with any of these apps. Remember that technology changes rapidly, so this list should not be considered exhaustive. Consider googling "safety apps" to find more suggestions or solutions. Safety Tips for Suspicious Employment Some employment opportunities may raise red flags for sex trafficking. When considering new employment: Do not meet an unknown employer alone. Meet unknown employers in a public place. Verify that the business is legitimate. Do not accept or sign for a position for employment in a different province / state / country without first going to check it out. Do not travel to employment without a trusted adult knowing where you are. Keep all personal information (like travel visas and driver's license, etc.) yourself. Do not give these documents to anyone else. If anyone (including your employer) asks to have these documents, do not give them to them. Report such a person to the authorities. Safety Tips for International Travel Some jobs or relationships may involve travel to a different city, province, or country. When considering a suspicious travel opportunity, take the following additional steps to secure safety: Never give your important documents (visa, driver's license, etc.) to anyone else to hold for you. Request address information for employment and/or housing. Request information about travel arrangements and who is expected to pay for travel and any visa or other entry fees. Make copies of important documents for yourself and give some to a trusted friend or relative. Have a ticket home in your name and keep it in a safe place. Provide a trusted friend or relative with information about your travel arrangements. Arrange a time to contact a trusted friend or relative to let them know you arrived safely. Have access to a bank account and have a way to maintain control of your own funds. Take a map of the city you are traveling to and make sure you know how to get from your residence to the bank, Embassy or Consulate (for international travel), police department, or hospital in case of emergency. Know basic phrases in the local language. Know how to access emergency services in that country. If there is an emergency number (equivalent to 9-1-1 in Canada), memorize this number or keep it in a safe place. Memorize the address and contact information for your Embassy or Consulate in that country. Canadian citizens should visit the Registration of Canadians Abroad web page for information on how to register their travel details with the Registration of Canadians Abroad: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/registration. For additional tips on safe international travel, visit: https://travel.gc.ca/assistance. Safety Tips for Suspicious or Controlling Relationships A safety plan is a personalized, practical plan that includes ways to keep your family safe. The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers the following safety plan suggestions. While in an abusive relationship Consider the following safety plan suggestions. Try to hide guns, ammunition, knives, and any other weapons that are kept in your home, unless hiding the weapons would further jeopardize your safety. If hiding weapons isn’t possible, at least make them inaccessible to children. Identify areas in your home that are easiest to escape from and are free of potential weapons for an abuser. Try to move to those areas during an argument. Avoid going to rooms with possible hazards. This includes the kitchen, which houses knives and other potential weapons, and the bathroom, which has hard surfaces and most likely doesn’t have a second exit. Try to have a phone accessible at all times. Consider hiding a cell phone in a safe place to use in emergencies. Remember that cell phones can contain GPS technology, so you will want to use a cell phone that's prepaid or doesn't have GPS technology in emergencies. Create a code word with friends and family so they can call for help if violence occurs. Trust your judgment when you sense you're in danger. Sometimes it's best to leave; sometimes it's best to placate the abuser. Make a habit of backing your car into the driveway. Try to keep some gas in your tank at all times. Keep the driver’s door unlocked and lock all other doors. Make a copy of your car key and hide it in the car. If you are under attack and leaving is not possible: Try to move into safe areas of your home. Make yourself physically smaller by curling into a ball and covering your head and face with your hands. While preparing to leave an abusive relationship Consider the following safety plan suggestions. Get a new phone if your current phone has GPS technology that can't be switched off. Consider getting a new service plan when you move to a new home. If this applies to your phone, get a new one without those features and a new service plan when you move to a new home. Leave your original phone behind. Try to set aside money, even in small amounts. Start your own savings or checking account. Use the address of a trusted friend or family member when setting up the account. Keep a written list of important phone numbers with you. Have a packed bag ready. Keep it hidden in your home or leave the bag with friends, family, or at work if possible. Take the following items: Birth and marriage certificates Driver’s license or other ID card and Social Security card Keys School and medical records Passports, green cards, work permits Protective orders, divorce papers, custody orders Bank statements and credit cards Medications and medicines Talk to staff members at your local domestic violence agency to learn about help they may be able to offer. In an emergency, call 911 first. After leaving an abusive relationship Consider the following safety plan suggestions. If you have a protective order, always carry a copy with you. Make and keep copies for work, your car, and your home. Call the police and document when the protective order is broken. Consider letting friends, neighbors, and co-workers know about your situation and how they can help you stay safe. Only confide in people you trust — people with your best interests at heart. Try to carry a cell phone with you, and program it to dial 911. (See notes above about GPS technology.) Change your regular travel habits. Try not to frequent the same stores or businesses you did when you were with your abuser. If you are moving: Consider talking to your local shelter program about temporary shelter or other services it could provide. If you need to conceal your new location, consider an address confidentiality program. If you are staying in your home: Consider changing your locks or installing stronger doors. If the exchange of children is necessary, arrange a safe, neutral place to do the exchange. If your abuser comes to your home, you do not have to let that person in. Lock the doors and call the police. Technology safety Follow these general safety tips for using technology. Know that certain cell phone apps (like Snapchat, etc.) can track your location in real time. Cell phones themselves can be tracked for real time location. Know that your computer activity can be monitored or checked by others without your knowledge. It is not possible to delete or clear all of the “footprints” from your computer or online activities. If you are being monitored, it may be dangerous to change your computer behaviors, such as suddenly deleting your entire internet history, if that is not your regular habit. If you think you are being monitored on your home computer, be careful how you use your computer, since an abuser might become suspicious. You may want to keep using your home computer for non-personal activities, such as looking up the weather or reading the news. Use a safer computer (i.e. one located outside of your home) to research an escape plan, look for new jobs or apartments, buy bus tickets, or to ask for help. If you use a cell phone, be aware that even calls that are toll-free will likely show up on your phone bill. If you are on a joint plan or access your phone bill online, others (including your abuser) may have access to it. Consider making calls to shelters, attorneys, or other confidential services from a pay phone or prepaid cell phone. Following these suggestions is not a guarantee of safety, but applying them to your own situation could increase your level of safety in an abusive relationship. You may be able to complete a more detailed, specific safety plan with a local domestic violence advocate. Look in a phone book under domestic violence, women’s shelters, or crisis intervention. (from https://extension.umn.edu/divorce-and-other-family-transitions/safety-planning-and-abusive-relationships) Safety Tips when Leaving a Human Trafficking Situation In some cases, leaving or attempting to leave a trafficking situation may increase the risk of violence. It is important to trust your judgment when taking steps to ensure your safety. If you are unsure of your current location, try to determine any indication of your locality such as street signs outside the residence or place of employment, or newspapers/magazines/mail that may have the address listed. If it is safe to go outside, see if the address is listed anywhere on the building. If there are people nearby and it is safe to speak with them, ask them about your current location. If you are ever in immediate danger, the quickest way to access help is to call 9-1-1. Plan an escape route or exit strategy and rehearse it. Keep any important documents on or near you to be ready for immediate departure. Prepare a bag with any important documents/items and a change of clothes. Keep a written copy of important numbers on you at all times in case your phone is taken or destroyed at any point. Memorize important numbers/hotlines. Think about your next steps after you leave the situation. Contact trusted friends or relatives to notify them or to ask for assistance if you feel comfortable. Contact the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline to obtain local referrals for shelter or other social services and support. The Hotline can also connect you with specialized law enforcement referrals. However, if you are ever in immediate danger, contact 9-1-1 first. During violent or explosive situations avoid dangerous rooms. Examples of Dangerous Rooms: kitchen (knives, sharp utensils, pots), garage (tools, sharp objects), bathroom (hard surfaces, no exits), basement (hard surfaces, no exits), rooms where weapons are kept and rooms without an exit. Examples of Safer Rooms: front room, yard or apartment hallway where a neighbor might see or hear an incident. Develop a special signal (lights flickering on and off, code word, code text message, hand signal, etc.) to use with a trusted neighbor, relative, friend or service provider to notify them that you are in danger. It is important to proactively communicate what action steps you would like taken (call 9-1-1, check-in, pick the children up, etc.). If you have children who are also in the trafficking situation, explain to them that it isn’t their responsibility to protect you, and make sure that they know how to call someone for help, where to hide during a violent incident, and practice your plan of departure with them.

Donate Your Stocks & Securities One Time Gift Monthly Giving Planned Giving Donate stocks! If you transfer stocks to us through our broker, CCCC , you don’t have to report or pay tax on the capital gains and because we are a registered charity, we have no tax liability for the capital gains on stocks donated to us. If you give stocks to a family member or to a non-profit that doesn’t qualify for the charitable tax donation, they still must report the capital gains as if they sold the stock for fair market value. As a result, giving to the Valley Care Pregnancy Centre offers benefits that giving stocks to friends, family, or other types of organizations does not. Provides More Money to the Centre When you transfer stocks to us through our broker, it generates more money given to our mission. For example, if you were to sell stocks for $5,000 that you bought for $2,000, you would need to report $1,500 as a capital gain (CRA requires you to report 50% of capital gains) and you would pay $500 federal income tax on that amount based on a tax rate of 33 percent. Once you subtract the tax bill of $500, you would only have $4,500 to give to the centre. ​ Contact us today to learn how to donate stocks to us directly. Email info@asafeplaceforme.com or Call/Text 902-670-8510 . ​ Double Your Gift Because You Get Half Back! The CRA offers a federal tax credit of 15 percent on the first $200 donated and a 29 percent credit on donations over that amount. In addition to that, Nova Scotia offers a provincial tax credit of 8.79 percent on the first $200 donated and a 21 percent credit on donations over that. For example, for those who are not giving for the purpose of expecting money back, if you give $1,000, you will receive $407.50 back as a tax credit. But if you truly wanted to give the $1,000 without being paid a tax credit, you can give $2,000 and receive a $947.58 tax credit. Spending of funds is confined to board approved programs and projects. Each restricted contribution designated towards a board approved program or project will be used as designated, with the understanding that when the need for such a program or project has been met or cannot be completed for any reason determined by the board, the remaining restricted contributions designated for such programs or projects will be used where needed most.

Video Channel Name Play Video All Videos 2021 Readings Reading Companion

contact us Request an Appointment We offer in-person, video or phone appointments. All Services are Confidential & Free of Charge First Name Email Last Name Cell Phone Date of Birth Type of Appointment Requested: Pregnancy Test Options Consultation Abortion Information Pregnancy or Parenting Support Abortion Recovery Sexual Wholeness Education Other Is there anything else you would like to share before your appointment? I declare that the info I’ve provided is accurate & complete Submit We are a registered Canadian Charity #897478269 RR0001 View our Privacy Policy Call or Text us Now at 902-678-6217 By texting this number you agree to receiving SMS communication from the Valley Care Pregnancy Centre. You can opt out at any time by replying STOP or contacting us. Visit us: 104 Webster St., Kentville, Nova Scotia Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 10-4:30 We are also available evenings and weekends ... text or call any time. Email info@asafeplaceforme.com Mailing Address: PO Box 723, Kentville, NS B4N 3X9 Location: 104 Webster Street, Kentville, Nova Scotia ​ See our brochure here .

Loving Support Call or Text us Now at 902-678-6217 or Set Up an Appointment HERE Visit us: 104 Webster St., Kentville Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 10-4:30 We are also available evenings and weekends ... text or call any time. Pregnant? "The Valley Care Pregnancy Centre offers caring, respectful, loving and open-minded support." - a recent guest ​ An unplanned or challenging pregnancy situation can be difficult to experience. It is important to make an informed decision about your pregnancy and health and find loving support for a difficult pregnancy. Our guest support team is dedicated to help ensure you receive the support you need during this time. We offer free (self-administered) pregnancy tests and decision-making tools and customized personal support to fit your specific needs. Our services are intended for general educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical or counselling advice. Only a healthcare professional can confirm pregnancy. ​ Recent guests described their visits with us as, “Well organized,” “Wonderful,” “Very accommodating,” “Informative and welcoming.” Text or call us now at 902-678-6217 and be our guest or Set Up an Appointment HERE . WE ARE HERE FOR YOU! Text / Call Now at 902-678-6217 ​ We offer ​Free, confidential, personal support for you, your partner and your family (or any combination of those). Loving support from people who understand for as long as you need us Free pregnancy tests Maternity clothes & prenatal vitamin referral Personal, one-on-one pregnancy coaching Your own individualized pregnancy & parenting education Pregnancy, Labour, Birth & Parenting videos sent to your device or a private lounge for viewing & learning with a facilitator Community referrals for tons of resources Help with diapers, formula & breast feeding Quality baby clothes up to age two Help with finding a parenting support group in your area Phone, text & email support after hours Text / Call Now 902-678-6217 or Set Up an Appointment HERE Common Pregnancy Signs & Symptoms The early signs and symptoms of pregnancy many experience are: Missed or Late Period (for those of childbearing years). Tender or Swollen Breasts due to hormonal changes. Feeling Like Throwing Up (with or without vomiting), often called, "morning sickness", which can happen any time of the day or night. Having to Pee More Often Feeling Tired (due to increased hormone called progesterone). However, many of these signs and symptoms can also simply mean that you're coming down with a cold or that your period is about to start. At the same time, you can also be pregnant even if you do not experience many of these conditions. ​ So if you miss a period and notice some of the above signs or symptoms, you can contact us for a free, private and confidential pregnancy test, or see a health care professional. If your pregnancy test is positive, see a health care professional. The sooner your pregnancy is confirmed, the sooner you can begin prenatal care. Abortion Call or Text us Now at 902-678-6217 or Set Up an Appointment HERE You may be considering abortion as an option for your unplanned pregnancy. We offer information on abortion and decision making tools and support to help you make an informed health decision. An unplanned pregnancy is difficult to experience. We are here for you. Women tell us that what they needed most when facing an unplanned pregnancy is loving support and a safe place with someone who will listen. We are here for you. We have information that you may find very helpful. However, if you are only looking for abortion and do not want any other information or support or help with decision making, you may not want to come here because providing or assisting with abortion is outside our scope of services, so that's important for you to know. Our first priority is you, and we look forward to seeing you. Text us now at 902-678-6217 ​ Read More about Abortion Parenting Call or Text us Now at 902-678-6217 or Set Up an Appointment HERE ​ Choosing to continue your pregnancy and to parent can be challenging. We offer support, parenting classes and other resources for parenting. We Are Here for You! ​Free, confidential, personal support for you, your partner and your family (or any combination of those). Loving support from people who understand for as long as you need us Your own individualized parenting education program Parenting videos sent to your device or a private lounge for viewing & learning with a facilitator Community referrals for tons of resources Help with diapers, formula & breast feeding Quality baby clothes up to age two Help with finding a parenting support group in your area Phone, text & email support after hours ​ Text us now at 902-678-6217 ​ Read More about Parenting Adoption Call or Text us Now at 902-678-6217 Navigating pregnancy options in an unplanned pregnancy can be difficult. Our decision making tools will help you evaluate if adoption is a good choice for you. If you are considering the parenting option of adoption, we can refer you to a licensed adoption social worker from Family & Children's Services. If you choose to make an adoption plan we can provide further support (according to your expressed needs) during the pregnancy as well as after birth. Our client support team is dedicated to helping make sure you get the support you need. ​ You may be interested to know that in Nova Scotia, there are many, many families waiting to adopt infants. There are older children in Foster Care who are available for adoption in Nova Scotia. But the fact is that there are very many families in Nova Scotia looking to adopt infants today, but there is a lack of infants available for adoption in this province. As the Department of Community Services' webstite states, "There are fewer infants available for adoption than in the past and there is a lengthy waiting period (to adopt infants)." We are here to help you learn more about adoption and walk with you through this process. Some of our team have adopted in Nova Scotia. We would love to talk with you. ​ Text us now at 902-678-6217 ​ Guys Call or Text us Now at 902-678-6217 There's a lot of talk these days about taking responsibility. We're here for you. We've got guys you can talk to who understand. All this can be messy and difficult to sort out. That's why we're here for you. Fatherhood, too, can be challenging. We offer parenting programs and support designed specifically for men. Not only do all the regular parenting topics apply, but we have a specific 11 week study for new and expecting fathers called, "The Dad Difference". ​ Text us now at 902-678-6217 ​ Help Us Help Us Donate Contact Us: Mailing Address PO Box 723, Kentville, NS B4N3X9 ​ Civic Address 104 Webster Street, Kentville, NS ​ Email info@asafeplaceforme.com ​ Text / Call 902-678-6217 Hours Regular Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 10-4:30 We are also available other days, evenings and weekends, so give us a shout. We are here for you. ​ Spending of funds is confined to Board approved programs and projects. Each restricted contribution designated towards a board approved program or project will be used as designated, with the understanding that when the need for such a program or project has been met or cannot be completed for any reason determined by the board, the remaining restricted contributions designated for such programs or projects will be used where needed most. Donate

Write Authorities about Concerns You Have Today! Be the Change You Want to See! ​ Write Your Local Authorities! ​ Write your national and provincial leaders hand written, as well as email letters, one letter a month. Research shows written letters are powerful. You don't have to say a lot, just say what you mean ... and be encouraging, too, they have a tough job, so thank them for what they are doing, tell them you are praying for them ... but be bold and call for action now! ​ Write them about current issues like the ones listed in the EFC website , evangelicalfellowship.ca . ​ See how other organizations unlike ours is writing authorities to promote their views: https://www.arcc-cdac.ca/action/sample-letter.html ​ Writing to Government Officials (from Peacemakers Trust ) Write short letters: Try to keep your letter to one page. The shorter the better. Be courteous: Be careful to write as though the recipient would be concerned and wish to help. Use the proper form of address and salutation for the official you are writing to. Be accurate: Provide information that can be verified about facts and laws. Make sure your information is up to date. Remain non-partisan: Avoid making partisan political or religious comments. Instead, appeal to domestic constitutions or domestic laws, and principles of international law, and international human rights, emphasizing conventions and treaties signed by the country in question. See Canada's laws and the international treaties it has signed. Be credible: Use formal grammar and punctuation. Type your letter if possible, using the appropriate format for a formal letter. Request a response: Courteously ask for a response to your letter. Sign and date your letter: Date your letter and put your name and address on both the letter and the envelope. Write legibly. Don't send anonymous letters. Send a hard copy: If you send an e-mail, also take the time to send a hard copy by fax and by mail. Use sufficient airmail postage and airmail stickers. Keep a copy: Keep a copy of your letter and any replies you receive. ​ Find Your Nova Scotia MLA . ​ Office of the Premier - Honourable Tim Houston Phone: (902) 424-6600 Email: PREMIER@novascotia.ca Mailing Address: The Honourable Tim Houston P.O. Box 726 Halifax, NS B3J 2T3 ​ MP Kody Blois Email: Kody.Blois@parl.gc.ca Write Him at His Hill Office (postage-free) Kody Blois, MP House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0A6 ​ Prime Minister, The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau Leader of the Liberal Party Email: justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca ​ Write Him at His Hill Office (postage-free) The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P. Prime Minister of Canada, House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0A6 ​ Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada ​ The Honourable Yves-François Blanchet Leader of the Bloc Québécois Email: Yves-Francois.Blanchet@parl.gc.ca ​ Write Him at His Hill Office (postage-free) The Honourable Yves-François Blanchet House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0A6 ​ The Honourable Jagmeet Singh Leader of the New Democratic Party Email: Jagmeet.Singh@parl.gc.ca ​ Write Him at His Hill Office (postage-free) House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0A6 ​ ​

The Abortion Pill (Medical Abortion) [Mifegymiso® (mif-ih-guy-mee-so)] "Having a medical abortion is a major decision with emotional and psychological consequences . If you're considering this procedure, make sure you understand what it entails , side effects , possible risks , complications and alternatives ." (Mayo Clinic ) ​ According to the N ova Scotia Health Authority , the abortion pill is typically used up to 9 weeks gestation - (counting from the first day of your last normal menstrual period) and may take up to three appointments (the first to talk with the doctor and get the prescription, the second for an ultrasound to make sure you are less than 9 weeks and the third, two weeks after taking the medication, to have a blood test to make sure the abortion was successful). Some doctors may not require the ultrasound appointment but we strongly urge you to request it to rule out a tubal pregnancy. The medication is a combination of two pills, mifepristone and misoprostol. The first pill, mifepristone, causes the death of the embryo by blocking the effect of the hormone progesterone (a hormone necessary for nurturing the embryo). The second drug, misoprostol, is 4 pills tucked between the cheek and the gums for 30 minutes or inserted vaginally, and is taken one to two days after the first pill. Sometimes bleeding can occur after taking the mifepristone but before taking the misoprostol. Misoprostol causes the uterus to contract, and very strong cramping and heavy bleeding then occurs as the embryo and placenta are expelled from the uterus. This commonly occurs within 4 hours but in some cases may occur anywhere between 30 minutes and 48 hours after taking the misoprostol tablets. It is recommended to rest for 3 hours after taking the misoprostol tablets. The bleeding may be very heavy, and you may pass clots as small as quarters, or as big as lemons (or the size of your fist). The manufacturer of this medication warns that you should contact your health professional for immediate medical attention if you experience heavy vaginal bleeding (soaking two (or more) thick sanitary pads per hour for two consecutive hours or have large fist-sized clots). The embryo will be expelled within 24 hours 90% of the time. That means that for 10% of the women, this takes longer than 24 hours (or it has failed to work). While all this is going on, these possible side effects can also be experienced: headache, breast tenderness, fainting, fatigue, hot flashes and chills. Misoprostol tablets can also add these symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and dizziness. Patients who are less than 18 years old often get more vomiting and pain. These side effects slow down after Day 3 and are usually gone by Day 14. Although cramping and bleeding are expected as part of ending a pregnancy, rarely, serious and potentially life-threatening bleeding, infections or other problems can occur following a medical abortion. The use of this treatment is not risk free. If you experience problems or are at all concerned about side effects you should contact your health professional, clinic or the Info-Health telephone line (811). You will not know if the abortion was successful until a follow-up appointment 1-2 weeks later. The abortion pill will fail for 1 in every 20 women. This means that the dead or damaged embryo will either remain in the uterus or be only partially delivered and in these cases, surgical abortion would be required. Fever and chills after 24 hours may be a sign of infection. Soaking two (or more) large sanitary pads an hour for more than two hours may indicate hemorrhaging (problem bleeding). These signs of possible infection or hemorrhaging require immediate medical attention by calling 811. ​ AMBIVALENCE Do you know what “ambivalence” is? "Ambivalence" is when you have mixed feelings about something. Abortion is an irreversible process. The Guide for Dispensing Mifegymiso® for Medical Abortion in Canada says (top of page 2) that ambivalence is an "absolute contraindication" for the abortion pill . An "absolute contraindication" means that this medication must not be used. A procedure or medicine that falls under this category is to be avoided. This means that if you are experiencing ambivalence (mixed feelings), that the procedure should be avoided. We specialize in helping people work through their mixed feelings so they can make an informed health decision. Text or call us today at 902-678-6217. When considering your options, it's important to note that the Canadian Guidelines for Sexual Health Education often quotes the World Health Organization which labels abortion as a "negative" condition or outcome , that means it is something to be avoided if possible, and the personal stories from all the women who have shared their abortion experience with us strongly support this idea. After a medical abortion, you'll likely experience a range of emotions — such as relief, loss, sadness and guilt. These feelings are normal. However, if, like many women who have shared their story with us, you find that your negative feelings about your abortion do not go away or get worse or they seem to be causing problems in your relationships, we facilitate after-abortion care which many women have found extremely helpful. Contact us any time to learn more about the help and support we have for you. ​ ABORTION PILL RISKS & CONSIDERATIONS (from Cleopharma Brochure ) A medical termination of pregnancy may not be suitable for you, so you should tell your health professional if any of the following apply to you: you are pregnant and wish to continue with your pregnancy your pregnancy is assessed as being more than 63 days duration you are unable to access emergency medical care within 14 days following the administration of mifepristone you have a known or suspected ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy growing outside the uterus) you have known or suspected bleeding problem you are taking anticoagulants (drugs that prevent or treat blood clots) you suffer from severe disease where it is necessary to take steroids (e.g. asthma uncontrolled by treatment) you are taking corticosteroids (medicines such as prednisolone and cortisone, which reduce the activity of your immune system) you have adrenal failure you have an allergy to either mifepristone and/or misoprostol or prostaglandins you have an IUD in place – this must be removed before the termination of pregnancy process is started If your blood group is Rh negative, the use of Mifegymiso® requires your health professional to take measures to prevent Rhesus factor sensitization. Please ask your health professional if you are not sure about your blood group. Mifegymiso® is not recommended to be taken if you are breastfeeding ​ You may be considering a medical abortion as an option for your unplanned pregnancy. The Valley Care Pregnancy Centre offers information on abortion and decision making tools and support to help you make an informed health decision. An unplanned pregnancy can be difficult to experience. We are here for you. Most women tell us that what they need most when facing an unplanned pregnancy is loving support and a safe place with someone who will listen. We are here for you. We have information that you may find very helpful. However, if you are only looking for abortion and do not want any other information or support or help with decision making, you may not want to visit this centre because providing or assisting with abortion is outside our scope of services, so that's important for you to know. Our first priority is you, and we look forward to seeing you. ​​ The above is a gleaning of information available about this medication. For complete information, you may refer to these references : Nova Scotia Health Medical Abortion Medical Abortion Instructions from NS Health Just the Facts (from the Coast publication) PCC Options Brochure Options Video Link Mifegymiso® Patient Information Booklet Clinical Review Report for mifepreistone and misoprostol ( Mifegymiso® ) , bottom of page 1 says ambivalence is a contraindication (not recommended) for use when ambivalent. Document created by the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH). Canadian Guide for Dispensing Mifegymiso® (Ambivalence as an absolute contraindication) Mayoclinic.org ("Having a medical abortion is a major decision with emotional and psychological consequences.")