Rotary Club hears update on Appalachian Hills center

The Rotary Club of Malvern heard Cheri Miller speak about the new Appalachian Hills Pregnancy and Parenting Center in Carrollton at its March 2 meeting.

Miller said the center was a community effort prompted by the need in the area for a place to obtain prenatal guidance and parenting support for new mothers and parents.

“There are no resources for this specific kind of thing at Carroll County Job and Family Services. Among the problems facing expectant mothers is transportation to places to get the kind of care they need, especially medical care — something which is not currently provided at the center,” she said.

The center’s first effort was to find people and resources to form a steering committee. Securing funding for a site was among the priorities, along with completing paperwork such as writing bylaws, articles of incorporation and obtaining 501(c)(3) nonprofit status for tax-deductible donations.

“They were able to find significant financial assistance to build a building cost-free in Carrollton through a Christian organization in Alliance called Bridges of Hope, an affiliate of Bridges of Hope in Xenia,” Miller said.

Miller said the program has three goals: to provide free samples to help pregnant mothers and new parents, discourage abortion, and teach mothers and parents how to find educational support for caring for their unborn and newborn children through age 2. A seven-member board was formed, mostly from the original steering committee.

Miller also shared several recent statistics about abortions in Carroll County and statewide. She said the center hopes to become a medical site in the future, although ultrasound services are currently available at Aultman Medical Center on the third Wednesday of each month.

“They also strive to direct people to become affiliated with a local church, although that is not a requirement. They also do not have any direct connection with adoption agencies,” Miller said.

Miller said the center expects to operate on a budget of about $25,000 per year, in addition to donations, to provide MommyBucks and DaddyBucks that parents can use to purchase supplies at an in-house store. Churches also will host Baby Cribs to collect donations.

The center has an office at 351 Park Ave. in Carrollton and is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

The Rotary Club accepted donations from members of newborn and baby items, including diapers, wipes, money, shampoo and clothing.