Southwest Coalition for Life announces plans for new pro-life pregnancy center

Roe may have been overturned, but the fight to protect moms and babies at the state level has just begun. The people of Las Cruces, New Mexico, are gearing up for that fight.

At an outdoor rally emceed by David Bereit—former CEO of 40 Days for Life—on Tuesday, July 19, pro-life advocates braved the intense heat to listen to speakers and to hear a special announcement from Mark Cavaliere, founder of the Southwest Coalition for Life.

Cavaliere is no stranger to pro-abortion opposition. He and his staff have worked and prayed for years and have seen four abortion facilities closed down.

As Bereit said repeatedly throughout the rally, “Nothing is impossible for God.”

And that is the motivation that keeps these pro-lifers working every day.

The people of New Mexico have an uphill battle ahead of them, but they are undaunted. With a governor who wants to make the state an abortion destination and with state laws that allow abortion for any reason up until birth—including for minors without parental consent—New Mexico will soon be a place women flock to for abortions.

One of the facilities these vulnerable women will soon be able to choose from is the Whole Women’s Health Center, an abortion business owned by Diane Derzis that is relocating from Mississippi to Las Cruces. Right across the street from this building is where the pro-lifers rallied, offering concrete ways to help women and save babies.

Dominique Davis, executive director of Project Defending Life, spoke about the ways in which her organization helps moms and babies, saying it has been offering financial assistance, help with bills, counseling, baby supplies, cars, shelter, and much more for years—to the tune of two and a half million dollars’ worth every year. But the need is even greater now.

She stated that, as of today, pro-life pregnancy centers in New Mexico outnumber abortion clinics 3:1. But with more abortion clinics moving into the state, it is estimated that it won’t be long before it’s 2:1. She urged all pro-lifers to help in some way and suggested a three-prong approach, beginning with loving our families and treating them well, forgiving transgressions, and teaching the culture of life. She then urged us to love our neighbors by volunteering or helping others. And finally, she asked for financial support from the people who can offer it, acknowledging that pro-life pregnancy centers can only give free supplies to moms and babies if they have the support of the community.

Leah Jacobson, founder and CEO of the National Guiding Star Project, stressed that we must listen to women. In her work, she has found that women are scared and feel trapped. It is our job as pro-lifers to help women see that there is hope, that they are loved, and that they are strong enough to continue with the pregnancy.

With many liberals unable to define what a woman is, we must stand up and proclaim the inherent beauty of women. She talked about the need for a different feminism, where women are revered for what they can do—for their ability to become pregnant, give birth, and lactate. She articulated the need for changes in healthcare and in the attitude of employers, for no woman should feel that she cannot be both a mom and successful.

Further, instead of offering free trips or compensation to states where abortion is legal, she suggested that companies offer better maternity and paternity leave, on-site daycare facilities, and more work-from-home options.

Finally, Cavaliere spoke of the growing need for more resources throughout the state, more people to help spread the word about the evil of abortion, and the embracing of womanhood. And he got a huge round of applause when he announced that the Southwest Coalition for Life has signed a lease to open a pro-life pregnancy center right next door to Whole Women’s Health!

His staff will be right there on the front lines giving authentic help to women and saving babies. What an amazing blessing for these women and their children!

But signing the lease is just the first step. They need staff, volunteers, and medical professionals to help, and they need help with finances. But God is good, and they have faith that He will provide, for nothing is impossible for God.

Mark Cavaliere and the Southwest Coalition for Life are a force to be reckoned with. They will not stop until the clinic shuts down because women deserve care that values them and that respects the new baby growing inside of them. Women deserve better than abortion.