AHG founder: ‘More than ever before, it is vital to defend the right to life. We as Christians are called to be light in the darkness’
January 24, 2022
CINCINNATI, Ohio — With the March for Life gathering thousands of pro-life advocates to Washington D.C. to make a stand for the unborn, American Heritage Girls (AHG, www.americanheritagegirls.org)—one of the largest Christian, scout-type organizations in the world—continues to celebrate their dedication to empowering girls to fight for the right to life. Dedicated to raising godly girls, AHG is proud to encourage girls to see life—all life—as a precious gift.
Says AHG Founder and Executive Director Patti Garibay, “AHG believes that each stage of life is valued in the eyes of God and that advocating for life recognizes the dignity of all humankind. That’s why our Troops earn the Respect Life Patch or Pin when they participate in any event that brings attention to respecting life, or by providing service to an organization whose mission or purpose demonstrates a desire to respect life, such as pregnancy centers, pro-life groups and hospices.”
Garibay continued, “We live in a day and age where life, in all of its ages and stages, is taken for granted. More than ever before, it is vital to defend the right to life. We as Christians are called to be light in the darkness.”
Garibay challenged parents and guardians: “While you do your part to stand firmly for life, what are you doing to instill these same values in your daughter? Just think: how many times has your daughter been part of a conversation about life issues? Is she hearing a consistent and convicting pro-life message? It is crucial that your family confront this issue at home.
“Start the conversation reminiscing on the precious time she was being knit in the womb. If you can, share ultrasound photographs or memories of hearing her heartbeat for the very first time. If your family celebrates an adoption story, share how God’s hand orchestrated it all. Visit the elderly together. Care for the sick in your community. Showing her the value of humankind, while having conversations about how precious all life is, will get the ball rolling.”
American Heritage Girls was founded in 1995 by a group of parents who wanted this faith-based, scout-type character development program for their daughters. At AHG, girls ages five to 18 meet together as a single Troop at the same time and then break out into Units by Levels. This gives AHG girls the important social experience of interacting with friends and godly mentors of various ages; members also learn leadership skills within a group setting. AHG Troops are located in local communities across the nation. If none exists in a given area, families can bring the AHG Program to their own area. An American Heritage Girls Troop Development Coach is available to provide resources to potential Charter Organizations and other families to form a new Troop. To hear more about the purpose, mission, and vision of AHG from Founder and Executive Director Patti Garibay, click here.
Today, there are Troops in all 50 states and girls being served in 15 countries around the globe. Girls can join a Troop at any time; if a Troop is not available nearby, they can become a Trailblazer and enjoy the AHG program alongside their parent. A variety of Christian denominations are also represented as Charter Organizations for Troops. Thousands of volunteer members across the country are helping girls grow in their faith, cultivate a heart for service, enjoy the great outdoors, and have more fun than they can imagine.
The “Raising Godly Girls” radio feature and Raising Godly Girls blog shares guidance and biblically based advice on many key topics affecting girls today—including the prevalence of bullying and cyberbullying. It gives parents, educators, and faith community leaders a set of tools, resources, and Scripture-based advice to assist in raising girls after God’s own heart. The “Raising Godly Girls Minute” with Patti Garibay airs on 900+ Christian radio stations across the country.
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