Volunteer Spotlight: Temple University Students

Over the past year, we have been blessed to develop a closer relationship with a couple of pro-life student groups on the campus of Temple University: Voices for the Vulnerable and Temple Students for Life. Recently they invited us to join them on campus where they held a bake sale in honor of the AlphaCare moms and babies!

Here’s what Mariah Volk and Haley Wissler had to say about their heart for the unborn and their decision to support AlphaCare.

AC: What personally motivates your interest in the pro-life cause and the work that AlphaCare is doing?

Mariah: I am first and foremost motivated by my Christian faith. It guides me in everything that I do…. I support AlphaCare’s work because it is centered on the pro-life model. The women I have met who volunteer and work there are very passionate about the women, as well as the babies, and strive to empower women throughout, and even after, their pregnancies.

AC: Why do you think the work of your student group and the work of AlphaCare is important?

Haley: Our work with AlphaCare is important because it allows us to better support pregnant and parenting students on Temple’s campus. By having a connection with AlphaCare, we are able to become more knowledgeable about the resources available to women and also provide tangible options for women facing difficult decisions.

AC: What’s your sense of the culture on campus regarding the pro-life conversation?

Mariah: Temple is a pretty liberal campus in general, so the pro-life conservation is a difficult one to have. I am at the law school, which seems to be an even more liberal environment than the undergrad, and we have not even been able to host a debate of the legal arguments for and against abortion without people getting upset and protesting. It is a very emotional topic for people, and it is very challenging to have dialogue when people do not want to even listen.

AC: How has your group/work been perceived on campus or received by other students?

Haley: As a student organization, we have had some push back by other students. We have had difficulties getting our posters put up in residence halls that had a pregnancy hotline number on them, as well as complaints filed against us. However, these reactions mean that we are starting to have a larger presence on campus. As we continue to grow and hold events, we will unfortunately continue to get negative feedback, but it is worth it if we can help give even one pregnant student the support to chose life.

Thank you, Mariah and Haley (and many other Temple students), for joining us on the front lines of loving women and babies for the sake of Christ. We are privileged to walk this road with you.

If you would like more information about the Temple University groups or volunteering at AlphaCare, please email us.