 Mission - Philosophy - History 
Mission Statement
To offer hope for the hurting, healing facilitation, education
and outreach in the post-abortion area
Philosophy
P.A.T.H.S. is an independent, non-political,
non-denominational organisation which is committed to upholding
Christian values and attitudes including respect for the dignity and
worth of all persons from their earliest beginnings, and all those
involved in an abortion scenario.
P.A.T.H.S. is committed to being available to all those who
need assistance after abortion offering help within the parameters of
its service.
Core values of compassion, empathy, integrity, authenticity,
unconditional acceptance, non-judgement, trust apply to those involved
in the work of P.A.T.H.S. and the service being provided. P.A.T.H.S. also embraces the dual partnership principle of Te
Tiriti o Waitangi.
History
The P.A.T.H.S. Charitable Trust was constituted in December
1997. The original Trust comprised Carolina Gnad, Jan Brodie and Phil
Gnad who set up the organisation with the assistance of a few other
volunteers. The Frimley Foundation and Springhill Charitable Trust
provided a setting up grant, rooms were sourced and other practical
aspects of birthing a new organisation happened. We adopted and adapted
a 10 step healing programme from Victims of Choice in the United States
and the counselling service began.
It became apparent that the sensitive and contentious nature of the
issue prevented people, churches or even health professionals from
responding or supporting the work. We also realised that the taboo
talking around the issues made it difficult for people to reach out for
help. Our focus shifted then into provision of information, raising
awareness around the reality and experiences of abortion loss and
trauma for those affected, and education and training around post
abortion issues and healing facilitation.
We developed a base of regular donors, but after six years funding was
difficult and we lost our premises. After a crisis meeting more people
stepped up and became involved and for the first time our Trust was
able to operate separately from the Team. In the following eight years
the organisation has grown and changed to what it is today with a range
of services and training, and a wide network of interest and support.
Purposes
The purposes of P.A.T.H.S. are to provide an effective community
service for post-abortion healing (for recent or past abortion / termination
experiences), information on post-abortion / termination issues and networking
with relevant interest groups and allied health professionals.
Aims & Goals:
(i)
COUNSELLING & SUPPORT –
local & national
§
Provide an 0800 free call
service for access to P.A.T.H.S.
§ Co-ordinate trained specialised face to face counselling. Note: in
addition to post abortion/termination trauma and loss counselling, counsellors
are able to provide counselling for
other pregnancy-baby losses such as miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death,
adoption loss.
§
Facilitate development of
post-abortion/termination Support and Connect Groups
§
Provide online support – email
and Facebook
§
Offer support for those working
in the post-abortion/termination area
§
Refer where appropriate to
other counsellors / health professionals for assistance with other issues
(ii) OUTREACH & EDUCATION
§
Offer talks about P.A.T.H.S. and its services
§
Raise awareness on the possible physical &
psycho-spiritual impacts of abortion / termination
§ Facilitate seminars or
training opportunities for those in health, counselling and pastoral roles on
post abortion / termination issues and
healing
§ Disseminate news & information on post-abortion issues: website,
bi-annual newsletter, information booklet
§ Promote P.A.T.H.S. services using pamphlets, flyers and bookmarks
§ Network with others working in the same or related areas nationally
and internationally
(iii) SPIRITUAL SUPPORT
§ Provide a Remembrance Service, upon request
§ Offer prayer/karakia within counselling situations, meetings and gatherings where appropriate
§ Maintain email network of prayer people who pray for the intentions of the organisation
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