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 Mission - Philosophy - History 
Mission Statement
To offer hope for the hurting, healing facilitation, education and outreach in the post-abortion area
Philosophy
P.A.T.H.S. is an independent, non-political, non-denominational
organisation which is committed to upholding Christians values and
attitudes including respect for the dignity and worth of all persons
from their earliest beginnings.
P.A.T.H.S. is committed to being available to all those who need
assistance after abortion offering help within the parameters of its
service.
P.A.T.H.S. also embraces the dual partnership principle of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Core values of compassion, empathy, integrity, authenticity,
unconditional acceptance, trust apply to those involved in the work of
P.A.T.H.S. and the service being provided.
History
The P.A.T.H.S. Charitable Trust was constituted in December 1997.
The original Trust comprised Carolina Gnad, Jan Brodie and Phil Gnad
who set up the organisation with the assistance of a few other
volunteers. The Frimley Foundation and Springhill Charitable Trust
provided a setting up grant, rooms were sourced and other practical
aspects of birthing a new organisation happened. We adopted and adapted
a 10 step healing programme from Victims of Choice in the United States
and the counselling service began.
It became apparent that the sensitive and contentious nature of the
issue prevented people, churches or even health professionals from
responding or supporting the work. We also realised that the taboo
talking around the issues made it difficult for people to reach out for
help. Our focus shifted then into provision of information, raising
awareness around the reality and experiences of abortion loss and
trauma for those affected, and education and training around post
abortion issues and healing facilitation.
We developed a base of regular donors, but after six years funding was
difficult and we lost our premises. After a crisis meeting more people
stepped up and became involved and for the first time our Trust was
able to operate separately from the Team. In the following eight years
the organisation has grown and changed to what it is today with a range
of services and training, and a wide network of interest and support.
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