A new centre for women facing an unexpected pregnancy is opening in Fergus this month.
The Centre Wellington Pregnancy Centre, will provide free pregnancy tests, resources and a place for women to work through their pregnancy option concerns and issues with highly trained staff and volunteers.
A grand opening on Sept. 7 from 4 to 6pm is at the centre’s new location at 355 St. Andrew Street West in Fergus.
A ribbon cutting ceremony with Centre Wellington Mayor Kelly Linton is set for 4:30pm.
“Finding out you are pregnant can be scary and not everyone has support to deal with that situation,” said centre director Shadia Staebler.
“The Pregnancy Centre is a safe place to come and talk about your options, find support, respect and hope.”
Staebler said her Pregnancy Centre staff and volunteers will provide clients with information on all pregnancy options, including abortion, adoption and parenting. They will also make clients aware of the many related services available in Centre Wellington.
“We also offer other supportive services in the form of counselling and support groups,” said Staebler.
Fergus obstetrician Dr. Dan Reilly says the centre and the services it will offer will enhance pregnancy supports in Centre Wellington.
“Clients will benefit from volunteers that can spend unstructured time with them as needed to talk about their challenges.”
Plans for the new Centre Wellington Pregnancy Centre were initiated by a group of local residents who saw a need for more specific services for women facing an unexpected pregnancy.
“This committed group talked to local physicians, teachers, community services and churches about the needs in our community,” said Staebler.
The new Centre Wellington Pregnancy Centre is a satellite office of the Kitchener-Waterloo Pregnancy Centre located in downtown Kitchener. The Kitchener-Waterloo Pregnancy Centre was established in 1986 (www.pregnancycentre.ca) and has been providing support to hundreds of clients for more than 30 years.
“We are a faith-based organization, which compels us to care deeply about the woman in crisis. We welcome anyone no matter their circumstances, race, gender or religion,” said Staebler.
The Centre Wellington Pregnancy Centre has raised all the start-up costs from within the Centre Wellington community. “We are looking forward to providing meaningful and impactful help to women in need in this community,” said Staebler.
