A Safe Space
to Begin Healing
The Abortion Recovery Centre is a Christian non-profit organization serving anyone struggling from a past abortion. We value each person who comes to us. Your journey is significant.
The Abortion Recovery Centre (ARC) exists to assist women experiencing difficult emotions related to their abortions.
All our trained peer supporters have experienced abortion(s) in their past, have walked the journey of pain, received significant healing, and are now giving back so others have the opportunity for healing. We believe healing is layered and involves body, mind, soul, spirit, and social wellbeing. We believe individuals have the capacity and resiliency to reconcile their abortion experience and pursue healing and wholeness.
Our goal is to provide comfort, healing, and hope.
“There is a sacredness in tears. They are not a mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief… and unspeakable love.”
– WASHINGTON IRVING
The Companioning Model of Grief Care
For as long as the journey takes, we are here to help you deal with your grief.
We fashion our care after the companioning model. We are committed to nurturing your need and being present to your pain. Offering a place where change can take place, we can bring comfort to you by listening to your story. The companioning philosophy focuses on the heart and not the head. It is innately compassionate.
This model of grief care does not try to “treat”, or “fix” people. Instead, it offers “fellow travellers in the journey into grief, a more life-giving, and hope-filled model that incorporates not only the mind and body, but the soul and spirit”. (Dr. Alan D Wolfelt, PH.D. Companioning the Bereaved A Soulful Guide for Caregivers. 2006 Page 6)
Disclaimer: ARC peer supporters do not have academic degrees in counselling, nor are we licensed professionals. Therefore, the group sessions and/or individual sessions are not intended as a substitute for professional counselling. We offer information, emotional & spiritual support, and practical help.
Healing is a process, a movement, a transition toward balance, connectedness, meaning and wholeness. Healing is a movement, not an outcome.
– RICHARD KATZ
Meet Karen, ARC’s Director
Karen is the Director of the Abortion Recovery Centre. She graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Concordia University of Edmonton. In 2012, Karen received her Death & Grief Certification from the Centre for Loss and Life Transition in Colorado.
She has a heart for women, particularly those who have experienced abortion and are anguished by the consequences of their choice. She desires to share her story of healing and freedom, so that others can find comfort, healing & hope. Karen encourages her clients to authentically mourn their abortion losses because to live well and love well requires that we mourn well. She recognizes that empowering women who have experienced abortion will create opportunities for them to change the way they think about themselves. This paves the way for women to become emotionally strong so they can live a life of joy, meaning and purpose.
WORDS OF HOPE
“My recovery from my abortion grief was difficult, emotional and worth every moment. My peer supporter was compassionate and gentle, and the group made me realize I was not alone. Isolation is a terrible feeling – to know that there was another who identified with me and who validated my feelings gave me incredible freedom. I had permission to grieve the loss of my child, the loss of hope, the loss of dreams and the loss of identity. The authority I have today to define myself as an over comer gives me great liberty to embrace all that God has for me. The Abortion Recovery Centre provided the place and the resources. I came with a willingness to redefine myself. And God permeated it all.”
– NAOMI
SUPPORT US
All services of the Abortion Recovery Centre are offered free of charge. We could not operate without the help of many. Please donate today to help us reach those in need.
Your financial gift is tax deductible.