Roe v. Wade – What is EVOLVE’s Stance?

The long-awaited decision has arrived regarding abortion rights in the United States. In short, an individual’s right to choose has been stripped away on the federal level and is now up to the states to decide. We have and will continue to discuss this decision and the devastating impacts throughout this blog series. In this blog, we will discuss EVOLVE’s stance, as it relates to the overturing of Roe v. Wade.

EVOLVE Family Services is a nonprofit organization, serving youth and families who are involved in the child welfare system or other related systems. EVOLVE has a variety of programs, including, but not limited to, foster care, adoption, pregnancy services, education, UMOJA and youth services. The Supreme Court’s decision on Roe v. Wade touches all of EVOVE’S programs, as EVOLVE cares deeply about the individuals and families that we serve, including their right to self-advocacy. Therefore, EVOLVE stands with the movement to restore an individual’s right to choose and make decisions regarding their pregnancy, as EVOLVE believes that this decision is a fundamental right.

As an adoption agency, EVOLVE does not seek to reinforce the idea that the restrictions, and in some states, the outright bans on an individual’s right to choose will result in increasing adoption rates and/or more children available for adoptive families. EVOLVE has often observed that in cases where an expectant parent is considering termination, they are not also considering adoption. Instead, when an expectant parent is considering termination, they are also considering parenting.

EVOLVE seeks to achieve family preservation, and this belief will continue to be at the forefront of the organization’s work, programming, and services. EVOLVE, furthermore, continues on its journey as an anti-racist and anti-oppression organization, guided by our Standards of Antiracism and Anti-Oppression. In order to be committed to anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice, EVOLVE believes that it must also work to uphold an individual’s right to choose. Thus, EVOLVE will continue to provide all-options counseling through our Pregnancy Services Program, including termination, parenting, and adoption planning. It is EVOLVE’s goal to counsel, support, and affirm an individual in their decision-making process related to their pregnancy.

In short, EVOLVE stands in protest regarding the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and will continue to practice in a way that supports and affirms an individual’s right to choose their own destiny, path, and journey, specifically as it relates to their body, their well-being and their family.

Here is what EVOLVE Staff have to say about the Supreme Court decision to overturn an individual’s right to choose:

• Overturning Roe v. Wade increases inequity.
• Overturning Roe v. Wade is dangerous to society.
• Overturning Roe v. Wade is a betrayal to the rights of people who can become pregnant.
• Overturning Roe v. Wade is devastating.
• Overturning Roe v. Wade is wrong.