Service organization opens doors locally
The Gabriel Project of West Virginia is announcing the opening of a local outlet to serve needy families. They will open their doors on Tuesday, March 27 at 48 Mercer Street in Berkeley Springs.
The Gabriel Project provides immediate and practical support to pregnant women and families with infants and young children under the age of two years.
The project will offer diapers, formula, clothes, baby wipes and other infant necessities at no or low cost to the client based on item availability.
As funding can be obtained, cribs and car seats will be distributed to needy clients.
The project will also provide emotional support, answer questions about baby care, and make referrals to other organizations and government agencies.
The Project will be staffed entirely by local volunteers.
“There is a great and growing need among families in our area for our services,” said Dawn Roper, lead volunteer for Morgan County Gabriel Project. “As we open our doors on March 27, we encourage mothers and families to call us for help. We also encourage and welcome donations, both monetary and baby items. Because of federal consumer product safety standards, we cannot accept donation of used cribs or used car seats. However, we welcome and need donations of other baby items such as diapers, unopened formula, clothing in good condition for infants, toddlers and expectant mothers, and other infant necessities.”
The Gabriel Project of West Virginia is a non-denominational nonprofit organization serving West Virginia families in 28 counties throughout the state. Unlike other women and children service organizations, Gabriel Project does not impose financial restrictions or eligibility criteria on clients.
Services are also provided without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability or national origin.
They serve homeless women, families without jobs or low income jobs, women and children who are victims of domestic violence and countless others.
Although Gabriel Project primarily serves mothers and mothers-to-be, they also assist fathers and grandparents caring for their child or grandchild.
The Gabriel Project helps parents give their child a healthy and safe start in life. It does not offer pregnancy testing, crisis pregnancy services, counseling, housing or utility assistance, but can refer clients to other community resources for help with those needs.
“While the local office is just beginning to serve clients, we anticipate the need for our services to grow dramatically,” said Roper. “Our services are not limited to Morgan County residents. In fact, we welcome mothers and families in need from Hancock and surrounding areas.”
They will be open Tuesdays and Fridays 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and the last Saturday of each month from 9 a.m.-noon. Client appointments can be made outside these hours by calling 304-258-LOVE (5683).
Donations and volunteers are needed. To help, call 304-258-5683.
