First-ever Life Launch conference equips pro-life young adults at Mall of America

On April 11, MCCL hosted our first-ever conference for pro-life college students and young adults. The Life Launch conference provided a day full of education, networking, and fun! 

The event took place in a private venue on the fourth floor of the Mall of America, overlooking Nickelodeon Universe. Students shared that they appreciated the chance to learn and to connect with others, and they shouted out the catered lunch. “I love how jam-packed, private, [and] personal it was. And the snacks!" said one attendee afterward. "I just really enjoyed this conference!” said another. “You guys kept me and everyone engaged and involved." 

The busy day gave students the opportunity to hear from a wide variety of expert speakers and to network with pro-life organizations and other students. Topics covered included the fight for Life in Minnesota and nationwide; making a difference after college; the importance of men’s voices; being pro-life in the corporate world; navigating a health care career with pro-life conviction; the threat of assisted suicide; and more. 

My experience at MCCL’s Life Launch was amazing! I left the event with confidence and knowledge about the pro-life cause that I wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else. Sometimes, bringing up the fact that I am pro-life can be tricky, depending on the environment. Usually, I’m not sure what or how to communicate what I believe. I'm very thankful I got to meet so many other people around my age who shared similar views as me and related to my hesitancy. During breaks at Life Launch, to get food or coffee, we had time to converse and network with each other. Not only were the MCCL staff super friendly, I found the speakers and panelists enlightening! I had the chance to meet legislators, health care specialists, and engaging activists who all shared the same passion: life! I learned so much more about Minnesota’s harsh abortion laws, how to answer questions relating to the pro-life issue, and met amazing people representing facilities like pregnancy resource centers and sidewalk ministries. Since there were many speakers and activities for us to do, the day went by fast. I even won a prize playing bingo! My biggest takeaway from Life Launch was leaving feeling more confident in my ability and knowledge behind my beliefs. I feel inspired to get more involved in the fight for life! — Ashley

Our keynote speaker, Monica Snyder of Secular Pro-Life, discussed how to persuasively reach others who aren’t pro-life and who come from different backgrounds. “You don't want people to think that the only way they can oppose abortion is if they convert to Catholicism and register Republican,” she said. We want to reach everyone with the pro-life message, she explained.

One of the student attendees, Adeline, introduced Monica by sharing how Monica’s work had personally influenced her: “Monica's persistence that all human life is valuable, at any stage, with any manner of conception, with any level of mental or physical ability, and despite economic/social standing, stuck with me and eventually I turned from a pro-life sympathizer, to a pro-life activist. ... She encouraged me to be publicly and unapologetically pro-life in my personal life and on a hostile campus. And I carried her advice with me, leaning on it as reassurance in difficult moments.” 

Students also heard from former pro-life club leaders, who shared how their commitment to the pro-life cause has blossomed into opportunities in their professional work. And Caryn Addante shared how her convictions while working in fortune 500 companies led to the implementation of pro-life corporate policies. 

MCCL plans to bring Life Launch back next year—and make it even better!—as we work to equip college-age adults to make Minnesota pro-life once again.