Inside the Anti-Abortion Movement’s Crisis Pregnancy Centers
Anti-abortion centers—sometimes known as a “crisis pregnancy center”—are one of approximately 3,000 such facilities across the country. Established by faith-based organizations, anti-abortion centers exist primarily to dissuade people from having abortions. They often attract clients by opening in close proximity to abortion care clinics and by advertising reproductive health services, despite the vast majority operating without medical licensing. For a pregnant person seeking health care, the choice of which one to enter comes with potentially life-changing consequences.
The Conflict in Napa, California
In Napa, it is no accident that an anti-abortion center operates right next to the city’s lone Planned Parenthood, in a state of uneasy tension, on one small city block. Connected by a 6-foot wooden fence, their facades are plain, and notably similar to the casual observer. The Napa Women’s Center was opened by the Christian nonprofit Napa Valley Culture of Life in 2020. No medical professionals work at this facility, but a visitor can take a free pregnancy test, learn about adoption agencies and pick up pamphlets that inaccurately link abortion to breast cancer, infertility, depression and death.
Volunteers with the Christian anti-abortion organization 40 Days for Life perform what they call “sidewalk counseling.” They talk to people approaching or exiting the clinic and give them pamphlets featuring widely debunked claims about the dangers of abortion and birth control. These volunteers often refer people to the facility next door, providing cards for free resources to those who are deciding between the two different worlds.
Services and Operational Methods
Many anti-abortion centers believe each individual has the right to get information from a resource that will not profit from their reproductive health choices. They provide free pregnancy testing and obstetric ultrasounds so visitors can know how far along they are and if the pregnancy is viable. However, it is important to note that these centers do not perform or refer for abortion.
Typical Services Offered:
- Pregnancy Testing and Verification
- Ultrasound Confirmation
- Options Counseling and Consultations
- Abortion Pill Reversal
- Parenting Education and Support
- Adoption Services and Referrals
- STI Testing and Treatment
Historical Roots and National Presence
Anti-abortion centers have existed in some form since the late 1960s, when Catholic activists first sought to counter the growing legalization of abortion in the United States. This occurred even before the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the right to an abortion was protected by the Constitution in its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. Today, these facilities operate across various states, including California, Minnesota, and Tennessee.
Locations and Contact Information for First Care Pregnancy Center
Below is a summary of specific center locations providing these services in the Twin Cities and Rochester area:
| Location | Address | Contact Number |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | 2015 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404 | (612) 286-0076 |
| Richfield | 6517 Nicollet Ave, Richfield, MN 55423 | (612) 866-7643 |
| Rochester | 40 16th St SE, Rochester, MN 55904 | (507) 282-3377 |
| St. Paul | 1706 White Bear Ave N, St Paul, MN 55109 | (651) 730-4342 |
| University | 2900 University Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414 | (612) 623-8378 |
In addition to these, the Pregnancy Centers of Middle Tennessee operate as a free women's health clinic in Columbia and Spring Hill, TN. These centers provide private and professional services at no cost, focusing on resources for women, men, couples, and families.