Bringing Light and Life to Lake Charles

by Taylor Trahan Henry

ABC Pregnancy Resource Center has been a pillar of hope and compassion for over 32 years. Founded with a mission to share the love of Jesus Christ while offering alternatives to abortion, ABC has become an integral part of the community’s fabric, helping families thrive and flourish.

Becky Girola, the dedicated Executive Director of ABC, passionately emphasizes the importance of not only bringing babies into the world but ensuring they thrive alongside their mothers. “We don’t just need living babies, but thriving babies to see a stronger community for SWLA. Thriving babies come from thriving mothers,” says Girola. “ABC’s comprehensive life-affirming approach focuses on loving women first and then empowering them to make choices not only for their babies but for themselves.”

ABC is a solid resource for those facing unplanned pregnancies in Southwest Lousiana. Through practical pregnancy support, ongoing training, and spiritual guidance, the center has played a vital role in the lives of countless women and families. The parenting and discipleship classes provided by ABC have grown in numbers, strengthening family units and equipping mothers with the resources they need for a better life.

The success and growth of ABC can be attributed to the passion of Southwest Louisiana’s pro-love volunteers and supporters. This fervor has led ABC to outgrow its current location on, prompting an exciting and strategic renovation project. The new ABC Pregnancy Resource Center, situated prominently on I-10, aims to reach and serve even more women, bringing the light of life to Lake Charles.

“This prime location will allow us to reach and serve even more women,” Girola says. “Currently, approximately 1,000 women take a free pregnancy test from ABC each year, with 25% considering abortion. With counseling and ultrasound services, there is a remarkable 95% chance these moms will choose life.”

The expansion, aptly named Project Life, addresses several critical needs. The current lack of parking space, limited class capacity, storage challenges, shared office space, and constrained testing areas will be alleviated with the new building. Project Life will feature a spacious parking lot, a large meeting room for parenting classes, dedicated storage areas, private office spaces, and improved testing and counseling facilities.

Highlighting the significance of the expansion, Girola notes, “The new building will allow for extra offices and meeting spaces for special programs, a donation drop-off area, and a baby boutique where mothers can shop for needed items in a more comfortable space.”

Beyond the practical improvements, the new location in forgotten areas of North Lake Charles aligns with ABC’s mission to restore life, both physically and spiritually, in underserved communities. The target demographic, single mothers in their 20s, will find the new location more accessible, ensuring they receive the valuable services ABC provides.

Since 1991, ABC Pregnancy Resource Center has witnessed over 2,098 women choosing to follow Jesus, and more than 2,729 babies have been saved from abortion. As the community eagerly anticipates the completion of Project Life, the impact of ABC’s expansion promises to be a testament to the transformative power of love, compassion, and the unwavering commitment to the thriving lives of families in Southwest Louisiana.