ORTL Announces Young Professionals for Life of Central Ohio

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Katherine Franklin

DATE: Monday, May 18, 2015 PHONE: (614) 547-0099 ext. 304

 

New Group to Focus on Peer-to-Peer Support, Education and Advocacy

COLUMBUS, Ohio--Today, Ohio Right to Life announced the creation of Young Professionals for Life of Central Ohio, a new pro-life organization that aims to supplement the work of local pregnancy help centers by providing peer-to-peer support for young women and men facing unplanned pregnancies. Young Professionals for Life is a brand new subgroup for Ohio Right to Life who wants to focus on cultivating Ohio's pro-life leaders for future generations. While the Central Ohio group shares the mission of Ohio Right to Life, its leadership is looking for ways to zero in on and serve the needs of their peers in Central Ohio. Leading the organization as president is Sarah Huffman, a Lima native who now lives in Downtown Columbus, working at the Ohio Statehouse for a pro-life leader. She is a 2013 graduate from Miami University where she was the treasurer of the campus's Students for Life group.

"As young people transition out of school and into the workplace, we think it's critical that we offer them opportunities to remain active pro-life advocates in their communities," said Stephanie Ranade Krider, executive director of Ohio Right to Life. "Young Professionals groups seem to be the perfect bridge between Students for Life and Right to Life chapters. We're really excited by the level of energy and focus that Sarah and others are bringing to this new group. Because they are very goal-oriented and intentional about their efforts, we know that they are going to make a huge impact on Columbus, creating a real support system for their peers and their children--born and unborn."

In 2013, 60.1 percent of abortions were performed on women ages 20-29. In Franklin County, one-third were performed on women ages 20-24, a statistic which is consistent across the state. Young Professionals for Life of Central Ohio is working to assist this demographic in choosing life for their children by working with centers like Women's Care Center and Pregnancy Decision Health Centers in Columbus. Additionally, the group plans to host regular meetings and events featuring pro-life speakers on topics ranging from stem cell research to assisted suicide.

"Young Professionals for Life of Central Ohio was created to bring together a diverse group of recent graduates in the area who would like to continue the advocacy and volunteerism that they participated in through their college pro-life groups," said Sarah Huffman, president of Young Professionals for Life of Central Ohio. "I am excited to see so many enthusiastic people my age coming together to spread the pro-life message, and to be a support system for our peers and their children. We believe that our vision of peer-to-peer outreach is a great way to make a difference in our community."

To learn more about Young Professionals for Life of Central Ohio, email Sarah at yplcentralohio@gmail.com.

Founded in 1967, Ohio Right to Life, with more than 45 chapters and local affiliates, is Ohio's oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. Recognized as the flagship of the pro-life movement in Ohio, ORTL works through legislation and education to promote and defend innocent human life from conception to natural death.