Prince of Peace opens new program

By MICHAEL ROKNICK

Herald Business Editor

FARRELL – The Prince of Peace has given birth to a new program.

A $75,000 grant from the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Erie allows the Farrell center to offer the Walking With Moms in Need program.

“We’re so grateful to be able to launch this through Prince of Peace Center, as we recognize the lack of resources and supplies for area women – both pregnant and parenting – in Mercer County,” said Sarah Worthington, Prince of Peace’s CEO.

Created in 2020 by the U.S. Conference of Bishops, the program helps churches and diocesan organizations to “walk in the shoes’’ of pregnant and parenting women.

Prince of Peace is a local nonprofit organization that’s an affiliate of Catholic Charities through the Diocese of Erie.

On Thursday, the Prince of Peace invited representatives of other local nonprofit groups to its center to explain the program.

“We’re excited on what this funding can do,’’ Worthington said.

Help under the program includes:

• Financial assistance for secure and stable housing.

• Transportation assistance.

• Educational classes.

• Referrals to other community resources.

• Monthly babe care items and essentials.

• Hygiene products.

• Breast pumps and supplies.

Items available for infants include diapers, clothing and car seats. The center already has a stockpile of baby goods and feminine hygiene products.

“We can even help a pregnant or new mom for the first month’s rent or a security deposit,’’ Worthington said.

This isn’t a one-stop shop for other available help, Worthington said. But it can be the first stop.

“We can direct mothers to other resources,’’ she said.

Ann Hinkson-Hermann, a representative from Meals on Wheels Shenango Valley, attended the event and said the organization can be of help.

“People think Meals on Wheels only serves the elderly,’’ Hinkson- Hermann said. “It’s for everybody.’’

Bob Piccirilli, a Prince of Peace board member, said he attended to show support for the program.

“There’s a great need for this in the communi-ty,’’ Piccirilli said.

Sarah Worthington, Prince of Peace’s CEO, pops a sample “reveal balloon’’ at the organization’s Farrell center on Thursday to promote the Walking With Moms in Need program for newborns and moms or moms to be. These balloons are popular at reveal parties to disclose a baby’s gender. This balloon had pink confetti for a girl.

MICHAEL ROKNICK | Herald

Bob Piccirilli, a Prince of Peace board member, looks at infant’s clothing available at the Farrell center. Piccirilli said he was on hand to show his support for its Walking With Moms in Need program.

MICHAEL ROKNICK | Herald

Representatives from a number of local nonprofit organizations attended a gathering at the Prince of Peace in Farrell on Thursday. The event was held to showcase the Walking With Mom in Need program that helps moms and infants.

MICHAEL ROKNICK | Herald