In January of 1973, abortion on demand became legal in the United States, and the death of millions of pre-born children followed. Many found this appalling and realized that now more than ever, support must be made available for women facing difficult and unexpected pregnancies.
One who acted decisively was Thomas W. Bresler, a recently ordained Deacon at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Deerfield, Illinois. He accepted this challenge as his mission and in 1977, he attracted a small group who met in his living room, a group eager to join in an effort to do “something” to defend the lives of these children and support the women considering abortion. On October 6, 1978, the group opened Aid for Women, a pregnancy counseling center in suburban Deerfield, Illinois, to serve the needs of women in the area and offer alternatives to abortion.
In July 1981, a second office was opened at 8 South Michigan Avenue to counteract the number of abortion facilities opening throughout the city. With an increase of clients and a desire to provide optimal services, Aid for Women hired its first full-time employee in 1991. By September 2003, the organization had three full-time and one part-time staff members supporting the work of over twenty-five volunteer counselors and mentors, a working board of twelve members and the auxiliary of approximately forty Friends of Aid for Women.
Ultrasound technology became a valuable tool for client education and a critical component for effective counseling. Aid for Women had the opportunity to send clients to an ultrasound technician down the street at no charge to our clients. In 2009, the technician retired, gifting Aid for Women with her ultrasound machine, examination table and other necessary equipment. A few months later, a nurse manager was hired and Aid for Women has since been providing free on-site ultrasounds to abortion-minded women.
In March 2010, Aid for Women and WomanCare Services, another pregnancy resource center in Berwyn, Illinois, united so as to better serve women in the Chicago area. Both centers provide free pregnancy testing, counseling, mentoring and opportunities for clients to earn material items. Also in 2010, Aid for Women launched a Junior Board to reach out to the young-adult community in Chicago, providing an opportunity for them to get involved in a more grassroots-style pro-life group.
Certain that God was calling Aid for Women to do more to help pregnant women, Heather’s House, named in honor of Heather Bresler, wife of founder Deacon Thomas Bresler, was established in the Spring of 2011. Heather’s House provides pregnant women and their babies a safe place to live for up to two years. More than just a shelter, Heather’s House offers mothers the opportunity to develop the life skills, education and job skills necessary to become independent and loving mothers.
Of course, this history would not be complete without noting the many volunteers who have unselfishly offered their time, talents and treasures these thirty-three years – pregnancy counselors, mentors, clerical and other behind-the-scenes volunteers, board members, Friends of Aid for Women and the thousands of individuals who have given the financial support needed to sustain this mission.
