WVFL Programs

Through education, outreach, citizen action, and legislation, West Virginians for Life works to return legal protection to defenseless human beings. WVFL seeks to protect the unborn child from abortion, the disabled newborn from passive or active infanticide, and the medically disabled and the elderly from euthanasia. Following are brief descriptions of some of West Virginians for Life's programs and services.

Life Matters

WVFL produces and mails a bi-monthly pro-life publication, Life Matters, to nearly 15,000 household subscribers. Items of local, state and national interest are covered.

Media Relations

The WVFL state office provides alerts to the media, keeping reporters informed about life issues. WVFL produces radio, TV and print advertisements, and distributes fliers that deliver the pro-life message. WVFL promotes NRLC's Pro-Life Perspective, a daily five minute radio broadcast featuring NRLC President Wanda Franz, Ph.D., a tool used to educate and motivate pro-life Americans to act on behalf of innocent human lives threatened by our culture of death. West Virginia Radio stations currently running Pro-Life Perspective are: WAMN, Bluefield; WOPR, Lost Creek; WOAY, Oak Hill; WWYO, Pineville; and WJYP, Charleston.

State Legislation

WVFL Legislative Coordinator, Melissa Adkins, works with legislators to pass pro-life legislation and to defeat pro-choice legislation. WVFL coordinates a Pro-life Rally and Day at the Legislature in February at the state capitol. WVFL coordinates grassroots lobbying efforts through dissemination of legislative alerts, compilation and distribution of legislative voting records, maintenance of phone trees, and the posting of information on WVFL's web page. Currently, WVFL is working with pro-life legislators to offer Informed Consent, Parental Notification, and Pro-Life License Plate bills.

State Organization Development

WVFL works to develop and assist county chapters throughout the state. Staff and Board officers will help with startup meetings, developing local chapters, training and support. We travel across the state to make presentations in churches and schools, before civic groups or speak on local talk radio, both secular and religious stations. Please contact the state office for assistance in reaching your community with the pro-life message.

Conventions

WVFL holds an annual pro-life convention on a Saturday in the fall. Pro-life West Virginians come together to share information and experiences, to learn, and to renew old friendships. Some workshops cover basic training, while others offer a deeper analysis of pro-life topics and tactics. Three general sessions, three sets of workshops, and a prayer breakfast provide pro-life West Virginians with opportunities to learn, to be motivated and to share a day of comradery with other pro-lifers. Click here for our Calendar of Events to see when the next convention is being held.

Oratory Contest

WVFL sponsors an Oratory Contest, designed to involve high school juniors and seniors. To participate, teens must research, write and present a 5 to 7 minute speech on abortion, infanticide or euthanasia. The first place prize is a paid trip to compete at the National RTL Convention, which is held each summer. To see when the next contest is, click here for our Calendar of Events.

Educational Trust Fund

The Education Trust Fund provides educational materials to individuals and chapters across West Virginia. Billboards have been placed across the state. Pro-life television, radio and newspaper advertisements have been broadcast. The Educational Trust Fund maintains a video and book lending library and hundreds of files on various issues related to life. "Life Touch" Fetal Models are available for use in fairs, booths and in schools. An annual Rose Dinner sponsored by the Educational Trust Fund raises pro-life awareness and income. To see when the next Rose Dinner is being held, click here for our Calendar of Events.

Religious Outreach

WVFL produces Life Letters, a pro-life bulletin insert for use in churches. WVFL also sponsors a church liaison program, to channel information to churches.

Political Action Committee

WVL PAC was formed to support candidates for federal and state office who work to further the goals of the pro-life movement. In every major election since 1980, pro-life candidates have fared better than pro-abortion candidates among voters who base their vote on a candidate's position on abortion.

Web Page, Email

WVFL's web page is located at: http://www.wvforlife.org. The email address is: wvforlife@labs.net.

Teens for Life

Recognizing that nearly one-third of their generation has been aborted, WV Teens for Life was formed in 1986 by a handful of teens dedicated to fight the culture of death passed on to them. Each fall WVTFL sponsors a teen convention with the adult WVFL Convention. The teen convention provides a place for young people to learn and to share ideas and experiences. An annual Pro-Life Teen Rally is held annually at the state capitol. It provides an opportunity for teens to see how state government functions, and gives them an opportunity to meet legislators.