Finding Healing and Support in a Post-Abortion Support Group

Avail NYC exists to be a safe haven for women and men facing an unexpected pregnancy or seeking support after an abortion. We are not a medical provider.

No two people experience an abortion in the same way. Some move forward quickly, while others find themselves carrying emotions or questions they didn’t expect—days, months, or even years later. 

You may be navigating emotions that feel confusing or unexpected. Or you might be trying to make sense of how this experience is sitting with you now.

Wherever you are, you are not alone.

When you're ready to reflect on your experience, you deserve a space that feels safe and supportive. Hope Meetups at Avail are small, confidential groups where you can explore your thoughts, connect with others, and take steps toward clarity and peace in your own time and in your own way.

What is a Hope Meetup?

A Hope Meetup is a small, facilitated support group for women and men who have experienced abortion. There are separate groups for women and for men, so each person can reflect and connect in a space that feels comfortable and relevant to their experience.

Each group is led by a trained personal advocate who offers calm, compassionate guidance. They are there to listen, not to judge. Their role is to create a safe and supportive space where your story and your questions are welcome.

Hope Meetups are designed to help you:

• Take time to reflect on your experience
• Explore your thoughts and emotions without pressure
• Connect with others who may relate to what you are feeling
• Begin to identify what healing or growth might look like for you

Some people attend one Meetup and find it helpful, while others return for multiple sessions over time. There is no set timeline for processing, and there is never any pressure to share. You are free to speak, listen, or simply take it in. 

Everything shared in a Hope Meetup is confidential. The group is designed to be a space where you feel safe, respected, and supported in whatever stage of your journey you are in. Hope Meetups are available whenever you need support, and you are welcome just as you are.

Support for Women and Men

Abortion experiences can affect both women and men in personal and sometimes unexpected ways. Whether you were navigating it alone, felt left out of the decision, made the decision with your partner, or are simply trying to understand what this experience means to you, your emotions are real and worth exploring.

Avail offers Hope Meetups for both women and men. These groups are held separately so that each space can feel personal, safe, and supportive for each unique experience.

Our men's group creates space for honest conversation, emotional reflection, and thoughtful guidance. It is a place where men can ask questions, talk openly, and consider how they want to move forward—whether they are processing their own emotions or looking for ways to support a partner. Some come feeling differently than their partner or unsure of what they feel at all, but want space to understand their role. Wherever you are coming from and whatever you are feeling, you are welcome here.

No matter what your story looks like, both the women’s and men’s groups offer the same foundation: a place to reflect, connect, and take the next step in your own time.

The Benefits of a Post-Abortion Support Group

A Safe Space to Reflect

Talking about an abortion experience can feel difficult. Maybe you have kept your feelings private, or maybe you have shared with someone but still feel alone in what you are carrying. A Hope Meetup offers space where you do not have to hold those thoughts by yourself.

In this group, there is no expectation to explain or justify your experience. You are free to share as much or as little as you want. Every story is unique, and every response is valid. Some people find comfort in speaking. Others prefer to listen and reflect. 

However you choose to participate, you will be met with kindness, respect, and understanding.

Tools for Emotional Well-Being

Some emotions are easy to name, while others may feel tangled, distant, or hard to describe. In a support group, you have space to recognize and name what is coming up for you and explore it in a way that feels manageable.

Through guided conversations and reflection, you may begin to:

• Name emotions that feel difficult to express
• Learn self-care practices that support your well-being
• Work through thoughts that may feel confusing or heavy
• Gain perspective on how to move forward with greater peace

These tools are meant to meet you where you are. There is no rush and no pressure. You are free to move at your own pace.

Connecting with Others Who Understand

One of the most powerful parts of a support group is realizing that you are not alone. Many people feel isolated in their emotions until they hear someone else speak words that reflect their own experience.

Whether you choose to share your thoughts or simply listen, there is comfort in being with others who understand. A Hope Meetup offers the chance to feel seen, supported, and encouraged by people who are walking a similar path.

Steps Toward Growth and Restoration

Healing is a process of reflection, growth, and care. It often begins by creating space to explore your experience and what it means to you now. Over time, that space can help you move forward with greater peace, strength, and clarity.

In our Hope Meetups, conversations are shaped around themes that support emotional well-being and personal growth. Some of the topics include:

• Understanding and processing grief
• Recognizing and challenging negative self-talk
• Learning healthy ways to cope with emotions
• Exploring self-worth and identity
• Processing relationship changes after an abortion

These conversations are meant to offer clarity and encouragement. Wherever you are in your journey, you are free to take the next step when you are ready.

How to Join a Hope Meetup

Hope Meetups are free and take place online through Zoom, so you can join from wherever you feel most comfortable.

To get started, visit AvailNYC.org to explore upcoming sessions. If you would like one-on-one support before joining a group, you are welcome to schedule a private appointment with a personal advocate. We are here to support you in whatever way feels right for you.

You Are Not Alone

If you are struggling with emotions after an abortion experience, support is available. You do not have to figure it all out on your own.



A post-abortion support group can provide encouragement, clarity, and a path toward healing. Whether you are looking for a place to share or simply want to listen, Hope Meetups at Avail offer a space where you can begin moving forward with confidence and peace.

Hope Meetups at Avail provide a space where you can explore healing at your own pace. Whether you are ready to share your story or prefer to listen, you will be welcomed and supported every step of the way.

Avail NYC exists to be a safe haven for women and men facing an unexpected pregnancy or seeking support after an abortion. We are not a medical provider.

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