Fill a baby bottle for the Strathmore Pregnancy Centre

Times Contributor

 

A baby bottle fundraiser to build a pregnancy centre in Strathmore began on Mother’s Day and will wrap up on Father’s Day. Chairman of the Calgary Pregnancy Centre and lead pastor of the Strathmore Alliance Church (SAC), Darrell Young is spearheading the project.

The SAC is a pick up and drop off point for baby bottles, which will be filled with donations. Some other Christian churches in the community are participating as well.

The Strathmore Pregnancy Centre would be a sister organization of the Calgary Pregnancy Centre and provide guidance and support to people expecting a child. The organization, which is run on Christian principles, does not provide medical services for pregnancy and is pro-life, Young said. Non-Christians and those considering abortion will still be encouraged to use the centre, Young said, adding that the purpose of the centre is to assist people with their pregnancy, not discriminate.

“We want to help. Anybody is welcome,” said Darrell Young.

The basis of the centre will be trained volunteer counsellors who will work with men and/or women who need assistance relating to a pregnancy. Counsellors will listen and provide advice, mentorship, and help clients access other pregnancy-related services. 

Young’s daughter Kayla, who saw the need for a centre in Strathmore, suggested the project. 

There are mothers who are travelling to Calgary to use a pregnancy centre, which is part of the need for one in Strathmore, said Young.

A steering committee has been formed for the project and money raised from the fundraiser will go toward costs involved with starting up a new centre in Strathmore.

The steering committee expects the project to take about two years to get up and running. The group hopes to build connections with other organizations in the area that provide services related to pregnancy and is not out to compete with anyone, Young said.

Contact Young at the SAC for more information about the project, to pick up a bottle to collect donations or to simply donate directly.