A program in the works for quite awhile has finally opened its doors in Stettler.
The grand opening for the Stettler office of the Central Alberta Pregnancy Care Centre was held on May 2.
Several community representatives were on hand for the event, including Mayor Sean Nolls on behalf of the town and Donna Morris from the Stettler Regional Board of Trade.
Lisa Smith, the executive director of the Central Alberta Pregnancy Care Centre, and a couple of the program’s board members were also on hand for the celebration.
An open-house ran in the facility after a ribbon-cutting ceremony until 2:30 p.m.
The Stettler office of the Central Alberta Pregnancy Care Centre is the latest to open, joining offices already open in Red Deer, Olds, Rocky Mountain House, and Drumheller.
While focused on Stettler, the new office is available for anyone in the east-central Alberta region.
Programs provided in the facility include a boutique program providing maternity clothes, baby clothes, diapers and other necessities to a mother-to-be, free pregnancy testing and support, parenting education and support for those going through the adoption or abortion process.
The centre is not a functioning medical clinic, and the programming offered is supportive in nature; the centre does not arrange or assist with arranging medical procedures.
The centre also includes a mentorship program for men which deals with issues ranging from supporting the pregnancy of a teenage daughter, supporting friends, and fathering programs.
Relying almost exclusively on fundraising, the majority of services provided by the Central Alberta Pregnancy Care Centre are provided at no-cost to the user. The only exception are users of the Red Deer maternity home who contribute financially to the program as they are able.
The centre can be reached 24-hours a day at 403-343-1619, their Help Line.
Additionally, the Central Alberta Pregnancy Care Centre can be found online at www.pregnancycare.ca.
