A List of Pro-Choice Resources for Nebraskans
Before reading further, consider who has access to your computer, phone, or other devices, as well as your internet history. Using a private browsing mode can protect you, but only to a certain extent. According to The New York Times, “Private or incognito browsing avoids leaving a history of what you do on your own devices. They’re useful, but mostly limited to removing the threat of someone with physical access to your computer seeing what you’ve been up to. Everything you do during that supposedly private browsing session may still be tracked by companies on the internet.” If you find yourself worried about your privacy, research how to install a Virtual Privacy Network or VPN.
Written and Compiled By: Shayne (Bookseller)
What many of us have feared has come to pass. Recently, the Nebraska legislature passed LB 574, which restricts both reproductive rights and minors’ ability to receive gender-affirming care, effectively limiting the basic healthcare of more than 50 percent of the population. (Around the same time, regulations on the sale and concealed carrying of firearms decreased with the passing of LB77.)
LB 574 cuts down the amount of time that someone is legally allowed to get an abortion from 20 to 12 weeks. And because of an emergency clause, it will go into effect immediately. The part of the bill that cuts gender-affirming care for minors does not go into effect until October 1, 2023.
If you’re afraid, you’re not alone.
If you or someone else still needs services that support your reproductive rights, then you are not alone.
But what do we do now for our loved ones, for ourselves? There are still people that will continue to fight for justice, communities that will stand against fascism, organizations that will support those in need. Here are some resources that we’ve compiled to show that there are still places willing to give every Nebraskan the freedom to exercise their reproductive rights.
Planned Parenthood is an obvious place to look for vital resources. Whether you need information on the eighteen different methods of birth control or how to find an abortion clinic, Planned Parenthood has your back. They have a database that can help you find an abortion center. Click the link to learn: which type(s) of abortion you’re eligible for, what restrictions your state has, and how far away you are from the appropriate clinics.
AbortionFinder is another resource that can help you find a local abortion clinic.
Crisis Pregnancy Centers
If you have decided to get an abortion or even ask your doctor about the possibility of getting one, it is essential that you know where to go to get accurate information. Certain clinics called “crisis pregnancy centers,” “pregnancy resource centers,” or “pro-life pregnancy centers” claim to provide “comprehensive, evidence-based, nonjudgmental reproductive care, but these claims are deliberately inaccurate and misleading, according to the American Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. To avoid these pro-life clinics, you can use The Fake Clinic Database, which provides a list of places to avoid across the United States that can be searched by state. Are you dying for another link that lists fake clinics in Nebraska? Well, look no further, because here’s one from Expose Fake Clinics. And another, from Crisis Pregnancy Center Map. (Note: some links and addresses may be out of date.)
New Pregnancy Crisis Centers are being built all the time, some of them with government funds, so it is vital that everyone is vigilant in order to protect themselves and those they love. For more information on what these vile centers do and how to spot them, read this informative blog by Planned Parenthood.
According to their website, “Whether explicitly or implicitly anti-abortion fake clinics oppose abortion, shame abortion care, or promote alternatives to abortion.”
Why Crisis Pregnancy Centers Are Awful
Most are NOT actual doctors’ offices which means
a. They are not obligated to follow HIPAA laws regarding your privacy, so they can give away your information to anti-abortion organizations, or the government
They discourage effective forms of birth control
They’re hateful towards BIPOC and LGBTQ+ people
They will shame you and pressure you into adoption
They lie
a. about the services they provide, like abortion, free ultrasounds, free pregnancy tests, and STD testing
b. about how far along you are in order to influence your decisions and “to confuse you about how much time you have to get an abortion if you want one”
c. about how dangerous an abortion can be (it’s not)
d. about how a large percentage of women deeply regret their abortions
Nebraska’s crisis pregnancy centers are listed below. They are provided only so that you and others will know to AVOID them.
All links and addresses should be current as of June 17, 2023, but please verify them yourself.
All organizations listed below in red are PRO-LIFE Crisis Pregnancy Centers and are NOT recommended.
Crisis Pregnancy Centers in Lincoln:
Birthright of Lincoln: 4770 Linden St, Lincoln, NE 68516. Affiliated with Birthright International. Website: https://birthright.org/lincolnne
Pregnancy Center: 111 Piazza Terrace, Lincoln, NE 68510. Affiliated with Care Net. Website: https://pregnancycenterlincoln.org/
Women’s Care Center - Lincoln: 5632 South 48th St, Lincoln, NE 68516. Website: https://www.womenscarecenter.org/lincoln
Crisis Pregnancy Centers in Omaha:
Assure Women’s Center - Main Office: 6510 Sorensen Pkwy, Omaha, NE 68152. Affiliated with Heartbeat International/Heartbeat Services. Website: https://assureomaha.com/
Assure Women’s Center - West Omaha: 14225 Dayton Circle, Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68137. Affiliated with Heartbeat International/Heartbeat Services. Website: https://assureomaha.com/
Bethany Christian Services: 7905 L St, Suite 320, Omaha, NE 68127. Affiliated with Heartbeat International/Heartbeat Services. Website: https://bethany.org/locations/us/nebraska/omaha
Essential Pregnancy Services - Maple Village (Medical/Pregnancy Confirmation Services): 3029 N 93rd St, Omaha, NE 68134. Affiliated with Heartbeat International/Heartbeat Services. Website: https://essentialps.org/
EPS Life Services/Boutique - Beginning Essentials (Essential Pregnancy Services): 3161 N 93rd St, Omaha, NE 68134. Affiliated with Heartbeat International/Heartbeat Services.
Admin & Life Services (Essential Pregnancy Services): 3171 N 93rd St, Omaha, NE 68134. Affiliated with Heartbeat International/Heartbeat Services. Website: https://essentialps.org/lifeservices/
Bethlehem House: 2301 S 15th St, Omaha, NE 68108. Website: https://www.bethlehemhouseomaha.org/
The Humble Lily (a clothing boutique that directly funds Bethlehem House): 12100 W Center Rd, Suite 610, Omaha, NE 68144. Website: https://www.bethlehemhouseomaha.org/humble-lily
Crisis Pregnancy Centers in Beatrice:
Willow Center of Beatrice: 2205 North 6th St, Suite #1, Indian Creek Mall, Beatrice, NE 68310. Affiliated with Care Net. Website: https://willowcenter.net/
Crisis Pregnancy Centers in Bellevue:
Essential Pregnancy Services - Bellevue (Medical/Pregnancy Confirmation Services): 908 W Mission Ave, Bellevue, NE 68005. Affiliated with Heartbeat International/Heartbeat Services. Website: https://essentialps.org/
Assure Women’s Center - Bellevue (possible mobile unit): Southroads Mall, 1001 Fort Crook Rd N, Bellevue, NE 68005. Affiliated with Heartbeat International/Heartbeat Services. Website: https://assureomaha.com/
Crisis Pregnancy Centers in Chadron:
Birthright of Chadron: 803 E 3rd St, Chadron, NE 69337. Affiliated with Birthright International.
Crisis Pregnancy Centers in Columbus:
Birthright of Columbus: 1260 27th Ave, Columbus, NE 68601. Affiliated with Birthright International.
The Collage Center will open a clinic in Columbus in 2024.
Crisis Pregnancy Centers in Council Bluffs:
Birthright of Council Bluffs (provides service to Cass, Douglas, Sarpy, Saunders, and Washington Counties): 427 E Kanesville Blvd, Suite 303, Council Bluffs, IA 51503. Affiliated with Birthright International. Website: https://birthright.org/councilbluffs
Crisis Pregnancy Centers in Fremont:
Life Choices: 230 E 22nd St, Suite 2, Fremont, NE 68025. Afilliated with Care Net. Website: https://fremontpregnancy.com/
Assure Women’s Center - Fremont (possible mobile unit): Fremont Mall, 860 E 23rd St, Fremont, NE 68025. Affiliated with Heartbeat International/Heartbeat Services. Website: https://assureomaha.com/
Crisis Pregnancy Centers in Gering:
Options Pregnancy Center: 1308 Ave B, Suite B, Gering, NE 69341. Afilliated with Care Net. Website: https://opcnebraska.org/
Crisis Pregnancy Centers in Grand Island:
Collage Center - Grand Island: 822 Diers Ave, Grand Island, NE 68803. Affiliated with Heartbeat International/Heartbeat Services. Website: https://www.collagecenter.com/
Crisis Pregnancy Centers in Hastings:
Wellspring Pregnancy and Health Center: 223 E 14th St, Ste 202, Hastings, NE 68901. Affiliated with Heartbeat International/Heartbeat Services. Website: https://wellspringhastings.com/
Crisis Pregnancy Centers in Kearney:
Collage Center - Kearney: 3000 2nd Ave, Suite #100, Kearney, NE 68847. Affiliated with Heartbeat International/Heartbeat Services. Website: https://www.collagecenter.com/
Crisis Pregnancy Centers in McCook:
ABC Pregnancy Help Center: 110 W C St, Suite 26, McCook, NE 69001. Affiliated with Heartbeat International/Heartbeat Services.
Crisis Pregnancy Centers in Norfolk:
Birthright of Norfolk: 301 N 4th St, Suite 260, Norfolk, NE 68701. Affiliated with Birthright International. Website: https://birthright.org/norfolkne
Crisis Pregnancy Centers in North Platte:
Women’s Resource Center: 209 McNeel Ln, North Platte, NE 69101. Afilliated with Care Net. Website: https://pregnancynorthplatte.com/
Crisis Pregnancy Centers in Ogallala:
Ogallala Women’s Resource Center: 1008 W 1st St, Suite 1, Ogallala, NE 69153. Website: https://ogallalawrc.com/
Crisis Pregnancy Centers in O’Neill:
Beginnings Pregnancy Resource Center: 415 E John Street, O’Neill, NE 68763. Afilliated with Care Net. Website: https://www.yourbeginningscenter.com/
Crisis Pregnancy Centers in Scotsbluff:
Options Pregnancy Center of Western Nebraska: 1308 Ave B, Suite B, Scottsbluff, NE 69361. Afilliated with Care Net. Website: https://opcnebraska.org/
Crisis Pregnancy Centers in Superior:
Hope Pregnancy Center: 1109 Washington St, Superior, NE 68978. Website: https://www.superiorhope.org/
Crisis Pregnancy Centers in York:
York Pregnacy and Family Resources Center/York Crisis Pregnancy Center: 613 N Grant Ave, Suite #1A, York, NE 68467. Website: https://yorkcpc.com/
All organizations listed above in red are PRO-LIFE crisis pregnancy centers and are NOT recommended.
Even a quick look at the websites associated with these clinics shows what they truly believe. Their focus on “how many lives have been saved,” insistence that so-called post-abortion counseling is necessary because abortion will traumatize those who decide to undergo this procedure, and claims that people who have premarital sex, contract STDs, or become pregnant out of wedlock are “broken and tarnished” show readers how little they really value the lives and mental health of people who choose to have abortions. Some of the websites look like they belong more to an obstetrician, with the pictures of smiling babies.
Those who are underage and find themselves pregnant will face even more obstacles if their parents or guardians don’t believe in their right to choose to have an abortion. There are still some options that may be available in these situations, though. The organization If/When/How has several helpful links that give you information on laws concerning abortion, self-managed abortion, and terminating a pregnancy when you are a minor. They also offer a helpline: contact (844) 868-2812 to speak with an attorney. All services are free.
Judicial Bypass is one potential option for minors that find themselves with an unwanted pregnancy. A judicial bypass is defined as “a court order that allows you to have an abortion without getting permission from a parent or guardian,” according to the ACLU of Nebraska’s page "Young Nebraskans Seeking an Abortion." Keep in mind that this option does not seem to be a simple process and may not work for everyone. Follow the previous link to learn which steps you need to take to exercise your reproductive rights.
People that struggle financially will find it even more difficult to obtain the reproductive healthcare they need. The National Network of Abortion Funds is a group of donors who support people that wish to access abortion services. If you need financial assistance for an abortion and would like to see if The NNAF can help you, click here. Elevated Access is a non-profit organization that uses volunteer pilots to transport people who need abortions or gender-affirming care across the United States at no cost. If you’d like to learn more about their services, click here. If you’d like to support them in any way (this doesn’t necessarily mean donations!), click here.
But what can I do?
Vote!
Emily’s List provides a list of female politicians that are pro-choice that you can support. (But please vote for pro-choice legislators regardless of gender.)
Vote Pro Choice is another good website.
Ugh, how do I figure this stupid bill stuff out?
Volunteer!
The local chapter of the NNAF is called NEAR and is welcoming volunteers.
Hope:
We see you.
We hear you.
We support you.
Image Source: “Interactive Map: US Abortion Policies and Access After Roe” (The Guttmacher Institute)
