I recently graduated from college, and this was not the plan.

As a recent grad from college I have seen the need first hand for a pregnancy and sexual health resource center. One of the biggest things I noticed while a student, and also post graduation, has been the lack of education when it comes to pregnancy, abortion, and sexual health. I sat through countless health classes that discussed the scary parts of sexual health and pregnancy, but never received real education on what one faces when they are in a situation they never thought they would encounter. It happens; it is not the plan, but it happens and there is so much fear and anxiety that can come along with an unplanned pregnancy.

I am so grateful that I found Gateway.

You know that saying “Don’t believe everything you read on the internet”? Well I have come to have a whole new appreciation for that since being here at Gateway. There are tons of “informational” sites on the web of next steps when you find yourself in this position, but very few places you can come to and talk one on one with someone about the decisions and changes you are facing; someone who has your best interest at heart and is willing to sit down and educate you on every aspect of each decision, so that when you make the call, you know exactly what you are deciding.

This is why my heart is here, wanting to reach out to girls and guys in college who sat in the same classes I did, watched the same power points about sexual health, but never really felt well educated on the actual issues. That is where Gateway comes in – when you can barely put one foot in front of the other – it is a safe place to come to when facing an unplanned pregnancy. Gateway offers education on the decisions one is facing but also allows for a place that you can come and just talk through what you are facing.

So you can imagine how thrilled I was when I saw that Gateway’s information was posted in the dorm building at Meredith College. This is my hope for campuses around Raleigh as I am here as the campus liaison- that information will be presented to students and allow them the access to tangible education.