From the Director:

The biggest milestone of 2025 was celebrating ZoeCare’s five year anniversary! Those five years have marked hundreds of life decisions, thousands of hours of ministering to young families, and the love of Jesus shared with every person along the way.

Even in our short five years of operation, ZoeCare has seen huge changes nationally and locally in the abortion industry. When I was in college, I used to join 40 Days for Life to pray outside the Planned Parenthood in Sioux City. We would see the women pull into the parking lot and pray for them during their appointments. We used to know when and where abortion was taking place. That has changed now. Following the Dobbs decision in June 2022, abortion became illegal in South Dakota. However, this legislative victory did not remove abortion access from our state. Abortion pills are now the most common method women use to terminate their pregnancies. These abortion pills are provided through the mail to women across our state and the nation. If a woman has five minutes and an internet connection, she can order pills that will end the life of her growing baby and have them shipped directly to her home. Abortions are no longer happening at the abortion provider's office; they are happening within homes in our neighborhoods and dorm rooms on the local college campus.

ZoeCare continues to adapt our strategies to remain relevant and competitive in this frequently changing landscape. This includes changing marketing strategies, updating options counseling, providing 24/7 online nurse chat, and exploring telehealth.

As we look to the future, we trust that it is God who orders our steps. In the past, we have set goals, made plans, and then felt the Lord tell us to wait or lead us in another direction. We continue to hold fast to this same spirit of prayer and surrender as we make big plans and dream big dreams for 2026.

Client Story

Nicole arrived to her appointment full of hope. All of our staff greeted her and her son with excitement. We knew her and her family well, as we had walked alongside her during her previous pregnancy. We hadn’t seen them in a while and Nicole was excited to show off her toddler son. Following her ultrasound, she enrolled in the Earn While You Learn program. She was excited about this pregnancy and excited to be coming back to ZoeCare for services. She was in a committed relationship and this was their third child together.

However, about 12-14 weeks into the pregnancy, her boyfriend left her and almost immediately started up a new relationship with someone else. At this point, Nicole was devastated. She had been abandoned and completely alone raising her three children with another one on the way.

It was at this point that she began to consider abortion. She didn’t want to continue the pregnancy if she was going to be on her own. She felt used and abandoned.

However, through some encouraging words she received from family members and the support offered at ZoeCare, she found the courage to choose life. The ZoeCare staff and volunteers had been there for her throughout her past pregnancy. She knew she could trust us to show up and offer the support she needed. She had experienced real relationship and love through our services. Knowing we would be there for her again helped to give her the courage to continue the pregnancy. She is still struggling with the hurt of being abandoned, but she is not alone. She is finding hope in the midst of great hurt.

Oftentimes options education and ultrasound receive the credit for life saves. However, this story demonstrates the importance of ongoing supportive services within the pregnancy center. Through Earn While You Learn, clients are experiencing the love of Jesus, being equipped to reach their goals, growing in their parenting skills, and having their physical needs met. This ongoing support creates a Culture of Life, providing women with the support they need to choose life.

What is the Abortion Pill and How Does it Work?

The Abortion Pill, also called medication abortion, chemical termination, RU-486 or Plan C, is a series of two medications provided by a medical professional. The Abortion Pill is the most common form of abortion and has been made accessible to women through the mail. Even in states, like South Dakota, with restrictions on abortion, women are able to order these pills without providing any proof of pregnancy or having undergone any physical assessment.

The first pill, Mifepristone, is taken first. This drug blocks an important pregnancy hormone called progesterone. Over the course of the next 24 to 48 hours the fetus is denied this life-sustaining substance and slowly begins to die.

The second drug, Misoprostol, is then administered 24-48 hours later. This drug causes the body to begin a labor process where the woman can expect moderate to severe cramping and heavy bleeding as she delivers the baby. Because a healthy, growing pregnancy was abruptly ended, it is possible for her to see identifiable parts of the baby at this time. The whole process could take 8-12 hours after administering the second medication, though many women will continue to experience cramping on and off for several hours after the fetus is passed.

What is Abortion Pill Reversal?

Fortunately, there is an effective process for reversing the effects of the abortion pill, called Abortion Pill Reversal or Progesterone Rescue. It is a practice that has been used as a standard procedure for women who are at risk of miscarrying. This procedure can also be used to rescue a pregnancy where the abortion pill regimen has been started, but not yet completed. If a woman has only taken the first pill and it is within 72 hours, physicians can provide a prescription for progesterone to replace the hormone that has been blocked by Mifepristone in an attempt to rescue the pregnancy. This procedure works more than 65% of the time, with no side effects to the baby or mother.

Many women feel unsure about ending the pregnancy and often make the choice based on panic or fear. Some women are victims of coercion or force. Abortion Pill Reversal offers these women the chance to change their minds, choose life, and rescue the life of their baby. More than 6,500 babies have been born following an Abortion Pill Reversal. ZoeCare offers Abortion Pill Reversal free of charge to clients in our office or on the mobile unit. This service is also available at several other pregnancy centers across the state.