April 29, 2026

Executive director of Clearway Clinic headlines at annual Pro-Life Breakfast

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath

Jill Jorgensen, the executive director of Clearway Clinics, was the keynote speaker at the annual Pro-Life of Pioneer Valley Breakfast was held Saturday, April 25 at the Castle of Knights in Chicopee.

CHICOPEE – Close to 200 people gathered at the Castle of Knights in Chicopee for the 11^th annual Pro-Life of Pioneer Valley Breakfast, Saturday, April 25. Jill Jorgensen, the executive director of Clearway Clinics, was the featured speaker. The pro-life medical clinics, located in Springfield and Worcester, offer pregnancy confirmation, free ultrasounds and the abortion pill reversal.

“In the pro-life ministry and in the Springfield area, we think of Clearway as being part of this triangle to meet the needs of the women. When they face an unplanned pregnancy, they come to our clinic. They receive help through an ultrasound to see how far along they are. We are the medical clinic in this triangle I talk about. Then Bethlehem House gives the resources to the women and then Springfield Pregnancy Care Center, they advocate for the women and support them as well with physical materials,” Jorgensen said.

The clinics are completely supported by Christian churches. They also receive funding from the Annual Catholic Appeal. Through the years, they have helped welcome more than 3000 babies into the world.

“We come alongside them with the ultrasound and we hope and pray that that is the piece that shows them how real this baby is and they will change their mind and keep their babies,” Jorgensen said. “They see the life, the heartbeat and they can’t deny this is a baby, but then they realize this is my baby,” she said.

Students from area schools including Pope Francis Preparatory School in Springfield were in attendance. Pro-Life of Pioneer Valley also gave out awards to high school students for the annual essay contest. Linnea Bugnacki won first prize and Nadia Rose Conrad won second prize.

“We look at it as our premier educational opportunity each year to inform the people about either the national or local scene supporting life,” said James Brunault, a longtime board member of Pro-Life of Pioneer Valley.

“We are all big fans of Clearway Clinic in Springfield as well in Worcester and the variety of services they offer. And in today’s environment, where so much abortion has moved from in person procedure to chemical abortion, Clearway is very active in the reversal of chemical abortion and saving lives of babies,” he said.

Father Daniel Pacholec, the director of Pro-Life Activities for the Diocese of Springfield did the opening prayer. Pastor Jesus Rodriguez, the lead pastor of Fyre House Church in South Hadley, led the closing prayer.

A video version of this story will be featured on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel,” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. on WWLP-22NEWS.