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About Bella

Two years ago, Jason Jones President of HERO and Co-executive producer of the award winning film Bella had a vision to start a non-profit organization that would raise money to provide Bella DVDs to women in unplanned pregnancies. This vision was birthed through the response that Bella received when it was in the theatres. Metanoia Films who produced Bella received many letters and emails from women in unplanned pregnancies whose lives were changed after seeing Bella. Many of these women chose life and said it was largely due to the influence of the movie.

In the fall of 2008, Jason Jones launched the Bella HERO program. The program began with a handful of centers that were recommended by executives of Heartbeat and Care-Net. Bella HERO sent the centers introductory boxes of Bella DVDs and before long the center directors began reporting that this movie was instrumental in saving babies lives. Within a few months, Bella HERO had 60 participating centers and 22 Bella HERO babies. Bella can be used as a tool in pregnancy care centers in the following ways:

First, Bella DVDs can be given to women who are undecided and/or considering abortion (at counselors discretion) some centers have developed “movie night in a bag” concept which includes: DVD, popcorn, candy, and other creative items. The counselor may say “We know that this has been a really tough day but if you will commit to watching this movie, here is a “movie night in a bag” on us.

Next, the DVD can be played in the centers waiting room where it will impact those who are waiting for the client in the counseling room, for example, the boyfriend, parents, etc. Finally, Bella can be used as an educational tool when center staff give presentations on high school or college campuses. Movie in a Bag

About Jason Jones

Film Producer. Jones began his film production career with documentaries promoting human rights around the world. 2006 saw the release of the Toronto International Film Festival People’s Choice Award winner, “Bella.” (Previous winners include “Chariots of Fire,” “American Beauty,” and “Life is Beautiful”.) Metanoia Films, where Jones is a producer, has several films in production. Humanitarian. Jones’ extensive humanitarian work is directed to the human person as a whole regardless of race, creed, or ability. He is the founder of HERO (Human-Rights Education and Relief Organization), a non-profit that promotes human dignity in all stages of life through international education and relief programs; the Great Campaign which has pulled together a network of organizations with diverse mission statements to promote the intrinsic dignity of the human person as the foundation for all philanthropic and charitable works; and Bella HERO and Bella On Campus, programs aimed at promoting beauty and truth in culture by featuring free screenings of the feature film Bella for college students. Jones’ most recent work has taken him to Darfur with the Persecution Project in an effort to not only raise awareness of the situation in Darfur but to aid refugees by drilling wells in the region, distributing medicine, and other relief efforts. Grassroots Activist. Jones has worked, since the age of 17, in various capacities and positions as an on the ground promoter of human rights. He began his activism by going door to door and since then has appeared on numerous radio and television talk shows; he has delivered hundreds of speeches from coffee shops to stadiums; and has worked on campaigns from the state house to the White House. A few highlights from Jones’ 20 year career in community service include working as field director for PIRG (Public Interest Research Group) in Hawaii, as Chief-of-Staff for Hawaii State Representative Mark Moses, and as the national grassroots director for Brownback for President 2008.

Endorsements

Our heartfelt thanks to Peggy Hartshorn and Virginia Kline of Heartbeat International and Kristin Hansen of Care Net for their belief in our mission and for recommending our initial pilot pregnancy centers.

“Many women feeling pressured to abort an untimely pregnancy need someone to say that it is okay to have a baby. Bella is a lesson in compassion, self-sacrifice and the unconditional love of family. Like the main character Jose, Heartbeat pregnancy centers met the needs of each woman and give her hope to see the beauty of a child’s life. For Heartbeat centers to share a Bella dvd with each woman considering abortion could mean the difference between life and death. Thank you for everything you are doing to share your passion for life and compassion for people through Bella’s positive message.” - Peggy Hartshorn, President of Heartbeat International.

“Pregnancy centers have fallen in love with Bella. They love how it captures the heart of their ministry. In the character Nina’s face, they see every client who walks in the doors of pregnancy centers – often scared, alone, and convinced that abortion is their only option. The story of Bella has the ability to reach these women with hope and positive alternatives. To be able to provide copies of Bella to every Care Net pregnancy center for the sake of reaching abortion-minded clients would be a dream come true.” -Kristin Hansen, Vice President of Communication Care Net

“I encourage Pregnancy Care Centers to use Bella. It has been received with enthusiasm at my center, and we already have 5 mothers who chose life after watching the movie.” Cindy Collins, Director of Crisis Pregnancy Center, Slidell, Slidell Louisiana

“Through the distribution of Bella to our clients, several babies’ lives have been saved and women spared the heartache of abortion. This legacy of life is impacting families and our community both now and for generations to come.” Becky Reimers, Director of A Women’s Friend in Marysville California.