Download our Impact Report 2024 here.

Who We Are

Avail is rooted in a belief in the dignity and worth of every person. We help people facing unintended pregnancies or a past abortion experience with compassionate, confidential care that helps them imagine and achieve futures of hope and possibility.

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Our History

  • The Beginning

    Avail began when a group of women had a friend experience an unintended pregnancy in 1996. 


    In the middle of confusion, fear, and an overwhelming amount of conflicting information, they searched for a place that felt calm, trustworthy, and free of judgment. What they found instead were conversations shaped by politics, pressure, and preconceived ideas about what the “right” choice should be. 


    Like many resourceful New Yorkers, they created what they couldn’t find: a safe place without any political agenda for people to turn to when facing the unexpected. A place grounded not in ideology, but in compassion. 

  • Nationwide Support

    What began as a small circle of care has grown into a network of support that reaches far beyond our original community. 


    No matter where you are, compassionate, confidential support is within reach. We serve individuals nationwide through virtual appointments and Better Clarity, our self-guided tool, designed to fit your schedule. 


    Whether you want to explore information independently or speak one-on-one with a Care Expert, meaningful support is just a click away. We are available anywhere in the country and beyond, so no one has to face this journey alone.

Our Care Ethic

Our Christian faith forms the foundation of our care ethic. We are guided by compassion, dignity, and unconditional love in every interaction.

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Our Foundation

Our care is inspired by the way Jesus loved people—meeting them with compassion. He saw people fully, beyond fears, decisions, or circumstances. We exist to be a place people can truly avail themselves of care.

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Our Philosophy

Every person who comes to Avail is met with dignity and respect. We believe each story is complex and personal, and we listen without judgment or pressure. Care begins with seeing the whole person, not a problem to be solved.

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Our Commitment

We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and beliefs and are here to walk alongside anyone facing an unintended pregnancy or processing a past abortion experience with emotional, relational support and practical resources.

0

Clients served since 1996

99%

of clients would refer us to friends and family

0

Services provided since 2020

Left and right quotation marks, black and bold, used to indicate a direct quote.

I finally felt like a person. I felt heard and supported.

—Ananya S., 30


My Care Expert made me feel heard and understood. Avail has given me immense support through everything I have been through and given me the help and support I need to get through. I was so touched by the resources offered.

—Rosalynn J., 27

I found what I was looking for. A listening ear, helping you put your thoughts together. No judgement whatsoever.

—Nevaeh T., 34

Avail has been very informative, kind, and most importantly an affordable source of help.

—Emily S., 19


Avail was a very non-biased and welcoming environment.

—Mei L., 29


I felt heard and encouraged.

—Aaliyah T., 36


Avail has all the support you would essentially need. And they provided support and comfort as anyone would need in their situation.

—Abigail W., 26

I always knew what I wanted, but it wasn’t until I went to Avail that I knew what was possible.

—Minji K., 22


I finally felt like a person. I felt heard and supported.

—Ananya S., 30


My Care Expert made me feel heard and understood. Avail has given me immense support through everything I have been through and given me the help and support I need to get through. I was so touched by the resources offered.

—Rosalynn J., 27

Meet the Leadership Team

Chris Whitford

Chris Whitford

CEO

Chris Whitford is the CEO and Founding Member of Avail, leading its growth from a local initiative into a national organization providing holistic, confidential support that empowers individuals and fosters futures of hope. A published author featured in Comment and Authority Magazine, she was named a 2024 Marquis Who’s Who honoree.

Annette Cutino

Annette Cutino

COO

Annette Cutino has served as Avail’s COO since December 2022. With a background in IT management and leadership coaching, she brings seasoned executive leadership to nonprofit operations, team development, and organizational strategy. Annette is passionate about building healthy, high-performing teams that translate vision into measurable, mission-driven impact.

Meredith Stone

Meredith Stone

Chief Program Officer

Meredith Stone, MS, is Avail’s longest-serving team member, with more than 20 years of experience in Client Care. As Chief Program Officer, she leads client services with both compassion and clinical expertise. Meredith is passionate about ensuring every person feels seen, valued, and supported, and is continually inspired by the courage of those she has the privilege to partner with as they discover hope and confidence.

Hannah Mochizuki

Hannah Mochizuki

Chief Development Officer

Hannah Mochizuki is Chief Development Officer at Avail, leading national fundraising and strategic growth initiatives. A seasoned social impact strategist, she builds partnerships and mobilizes resources to expand access to compassionate, non-judgmental care for those facing unintended pregnancy.

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Our Care Begins With Dignity

Every person deserves a safe space to process their story and explore how to move forward with confidence. Our care is compassionate, confidential, and free of pressure or judgment. We focus on listening deeply, offering clear information, and empowering individuals to make decisions they can trust. We walk alongside each person for as long as they need, because hope grows when no one has to navigate uncertainty alone.

Your Support Starts Here

Frequently Asked

Questions

  • Is Avail a nonprofit?

    We’re a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Any donations to us are tax deductible, and we will always provide you with a year-end tax receipt. We believe in organizational transparency, which has helped us earn the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency (the highest ranking for a nonprofit).

  • Is Avail politically affiliated?

    No, we are strictly apolitical. We focus our efforts, resources, and attention on those who need our care and services which is why we say: We serve people, not political movements or parties.

  • Is Avail religious?

    Our Christian faith forms the foundation of Avail’s care ethic and guides us to approach every interaction with compassion, dignity, and unconditional love. We provide spiritual support for those who desire it, but we do not require people to agree with or adhere to any religious beliefs to access care.

  • Are your services available in every state?

    Yes. Our online care platforms and virtual appointments allow us to assist people and partners in all 50 states and beyond. 

  • Are you a crisis pregnancy center?

    No. Avail does not provide medical services—we refer clients to qualified healthcare professionals for that care. We offer personalized emotional, mental, relational, physical, and spiritual support to help you explore your options in a safe, judgment-free space.

  • Are your Care Experts licensed professionals?

    Our care experts have graduate degrees and/or certifications in various mental health or counseling fields. Avail’s care providers are not operating as licensed therapists, but are trained professionals in relevant fields.

  • Are you a pro-life or pro-choice organization?

    For over 50 years, the conversation surrounding unintended pregnancy has been dominated by the pro-life and pro-choice political movements. Since we opened our doors in 1996, Avail has chosen to remain strictly apolitical and focus our efforts, resources, and attention on those who need our care and services—the real women and men often overlooked or used in political debates. We are here to serve people, not political movements or parties.

Cost-free care makes confident futures possible.

Donors and volunteers play critical roles in supporting women and men facing unintended pregnancies. 

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