Contact: Kevin I. Bagatta, Esquire, Real Alternatives, Inc., 717-541-1112

HARRISBURG, Penn., Mar. 27 /Christian Newswire/ -- Real Alternatives, Inc., statewide program administrator for Pennsylvania's Alternative to Abortion Services Program, reports that in 2005, 16, 344 women where provided comprehensive counseling, mentoring, and support throughout their nine (9) months of pregnancy and twelve (12) months after the birth of their baby.

"We have seen a steady decrease in annual abortions since the start of the program 12 years ago. Even though we are happy to see the newly released 2005 resident abortions (33,468) as one of the lowest on record, we are striving for the day when no woman in the Commonwealth feels that she must have an abortion – that is what the program is about," said Kevin I. Bagatta, Real Alternatives President & CEO.

In 2005, 128 Real Alternatives-funded centers throughout the Commonwealth provided services to 16,344 women at 61, 572 visits. There is a center within 45 minutes of every woman in Pennsylvania. Since its inception 12 years ago, the Pennsylvania Alternative to Abortion Services Program has served over 123,000 women at over 540,000 office visits and is currently funded at $5.5 million per year (including $1 million of federal TANF funds) by the Commonwealth's Department of Public Welfare.

Bagatta continued: "once there is a crisis pregnancy, this state-funded program is the only program to lower abortions. It continues to work because of the approximately 500 counselors statewide meeting the needs of women in crisis pregnancies. By providing a counselor to be with the woman in need from the moment she finds out she is pregnant to 12 months after the birth of the baby, this program empowers her to overcome her obstacles and crisis. She is not alone. She knows someone is with her to help her. An alternative to abortion is not a pamphlet, it is another person….it is one woman seeing another woman in crisis and loving her and supporting her like she is her own daughter. This program represents the best in America."

Women in Pennsylvania experiencing unplanned pregnancies can find their closest center by calling toll-free at 1-888-LIFE-AID or by visiting www.realalternatives.org.

This program was first started 12 years ago and is currently funded at $5.5 million per year. For more information on this first-in-the- nation government-funded program that provides life-affirming support to women, visit "press kit" in the "about us" section of our website www.realalternatives.org.