HISTORY

                           PROJECT RACHEL HISTORY

Project Rachel was founded in Milwaukee in 1984 by Vicki Thorn.  Since then, the Project Rachel Post Abortion Ministry has grown throughout the United States and around the world.

This ministry is composed of a network of specially trained clergy, spiritual directors and therapists who provide compassionate one-on-one care to those who are struggling with the aftermath of abortion.  Project Rachel is designed to provide confidential and skilled help to each individual who comes to the ministry.

As an outreach program, Project Rachel is open to anyone who is struggling after an abortion loss.  Today, we continue to help women and men; parents, grandparents, siblings, friends and others whose lives have been impacted by an abortion loss.

OUR FOUNDER
Vicki Thorn

Vicki Thorn founded Project Rachel in 1984 after being driven by a desire to help a friend of hers who suffered from post abortion trauma.  Since then, Vicki has spoken on, written about, and worked with men and women struggling with the aftermath of abortion.  In doing so, she learned that abortion touches the lives of all involved, the mothers AND fathers of the babies, the grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, and friends.

Her degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota and certificate in Spiritual Direction is just the tip of the iceberg in her training.  She is a bereavement facilitator trained by the American Academy of Bereavement and a prenatal loss facilitator certified by Resolve Through Sharing Prenatal Loss.  Vicki is also certified in Trauma Counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and is a long-time member of the Association of Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Health.

As an author, Vicki has written “The Priests Manual of Post-Abortion Ministry” in addition to a variety of articles.  Her articles deal with the role of stress in making abortion decisions, ways to help women in crisis pregnancy, and the sociological changes in society since 1960, with particular emphasis on the resulting spiritual and psychological wounds carried by the Generation X and Generation Y. 
Vicki’s work has led her to recent research on the Biochemistry of Sex, a topic which she presents to groups ranging from high school through adult.

With all of her work and credentials, Vicki’s greatest testimony is in her husband, Professor William Thorn and their 6 children.