Do you need help with housing, food, paying bills, pregnancy, abuse, or addictions?

Help is available

Allegheny Valley Association of Churches 

 AVAC

 A Christian agency composed of churches working together to meet the spiritual, social and physical needs of the community. The Association uses as its mandate the saying of Jesus from the gospel of Matthew: "...As you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."

Description:

We are a non-profit, ecumenical social service agency. We help the people of the Allegheny Valley region with social services such as: Food Bank, Hospitality Network for Homeless Families (shelter), Faith-In-Action Program(assistance to the elderly with chores - shopping, transportation, housekeeping, etc.), Emergency Financial Assistance (help with utility bills, rent, clothing, shoes, transportation, etc.),Supportive Services Program (self-sufficiency case management), Energy Assistance, Hospital Chaplaincy, Dial-A-Devotions, Cross-on-the-Hill, Summer Camp Program, Ecumenical Services, scholarship programs and more.

History:

We have been helping the people of this area since 1958 and performed more than 10,000 services last year alone. We have continued to grow over the past 47 years with programs that meet the immediate needs of the people of this valley. We also have formed 2 other corporations including Habitat for Humanity of Allegheny Valley and Pine Ridge Heights Apartment Complex for seniors.

Contact people:

 Karen Snair, Executive Director, (phone this person), (email this person)

Linda Roman, Secretary, (phone this person), (email this person)

Mary Beth Hoover, Case Manager, (phone this person), (email this person)

Office fax number: 724-226-3197

Address:

Natrona Heights, PA 15065

(See a map)

Web Site: http://www.avaoc.org

Directions:  From Route 28N take exit 15 and turn right at end of exit ramp onto

  Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: none

  Nearest Bus Stop:

For maps or information, please see http://www.portauthority.org/ride/ride.html

Miscellaneous InformationAre court referrals welcomed?

 Yes 

Is act 33/34 clearance required of your volunteers?

 No 

Are you pregnant? Think you might be pregnant?  Just looking for some honest answers? Had an abortion and now having problems dealing with it?

Tri-City Life Center, Inc.

A Pregnancy and Family Resource Center located at 2920 Leechburg Road in Lower Burrell, PA 15068

24 HOUR DAY CONTACT 724-339-9399 or  

E-mail: lbtricitylife@yahoo.com (click here)

Services offered to you:

• Pregnancy Testing
• Counseling
• Post-Abortion Help
• Material Assistance/Referrals
• Pre and Postnatal Support
• Support Groups
• Information and Education on Sex, Pregnany, Abstinence & Birth Control
• Mentoring

	Tri-City Life Center, Inc.
	If you have any questions, please click here.

Programs
Title	Description	Category
"Baby Bucks" Program	All of our services are provided at no cost to the client. Through our “Baby Bucks” program, the parent is given an opportunity to earn new gently used items from our “Baby Boutique.” Available items can be earned through viewing relevant videos, volunteering at the Center, attending classes and seminars at our Center or other approved community service agencies or by speaking on the Center's behalf at community and church functions. “Baby Bucks” can be accumulated so that the client can earn larger items such as a crib or car seat.
Client Education Program	Through attendance at parenting classes and viewing videotapes, clients are educated in the aspects of pregnancy and birth, child rearing, relationships, health issues, facts about abortion and the adoption alternative. Clients are also given an opportunity to attend classes and seminars provided by other family service agencies.
Heart-to-Heart Mentoring Program	The isolation and loneliness people are feeling is not so much that the communication between men and women is lacking or distorted, but the communication between women and women and men and men has broken down. Women need other women. Men need other men. Heart-to-Heart provides that contact. This program was developed at Tri-City Life Center to help grow and nourish important and supportive relationships between older and younger individuals (“Seniors” and “Juniors”.) The “Seniors” provide a wise perspective, with their sound knowledge of life experience and a solid track record of upstanding conduct. The experience, empathy, maturity and wisdom these women offer is an enormously powerful reservoir from which the “Juniors” can benefit. A “Junior” and a “Senior” are matched up. There is telephone contact between the two on a weekly basis. They meet together once a month for an activity on which they have both agreed. Additionally, there are periodic special events that are designed to educate, encourage and strengthen the “Junior.”
Parents and Baby Program	Our primary concern is for the needs of the expectant parents and their children under two years of age. All of our services are provided at no cost to the client. Tri-City Life Center provides: - 24-hour hotline - free pregnancy tests - maternity clothes - confidential counseling - food, clothing and furnishings for the baby - "Baby Bucks" program - educational and support groups
Sexual Integrity Program	The prevention of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases is of the utmost concern at Tri-City Life Center. We provide community education programs to our clients, through social services organizations and at speaking engagements at youth groups. We encourage attendance at the “Silver Ring Thing” (www.thesilverringthing.com); One-to-one counseling is available for teens and/or their parents concerning abstinence.
Volunteer Program	Tri-City Life Center could not exist without the many dedicated individuals who volunteer their time and talents in some capacity to the Center and clients. These people are often recruited through community speaking engagements. Many are friends or relatives of current volunteers. Some are clients who are interested in “giving something back” or helping others.

Teen Suicide

100+ teenagers attempt suicide every day.  Suicide is the third leading cause of death among teenagers. Click on the link below to gain some important facts and what to look for:

http://jasonfoundation.com/suicidefacts.html

Understanding and Help with Mental Ilness: Click on the link below.

http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/may

HELP FOR DRUG ADDICTION

Do you have concerns about a loved one who is on drugs? Perhaps you have an addiction to drugs.  Help is just a phone call away.

Teen Challenge

New Hope Academy of N.E. Pa. -Factoryville

P.O. Box 295

Factoryville, PA 18419

Phone: (570) 945-0161

Fax: (570) 945-0163

Email: info@newhopeacademy.org

Web Address: www,newhopeacademytc,org

[program for males ages 13-17]

Teen Challenge Harrisburg

P.O. Box 3143

Harrisburg, PA 17105

Phone: (717) 233-6549

Fax: (717) 233-6540

Email: tchg@hotmail.com

Web Address: www.teenchallenge.com/harrisburg

Program for males ages 18+

Teen Challenge Women's Program - Philadelphia

P.O. Box 4196

Philadelphia, PA 19144

Phone: (215) 843-2887

Fax: (215) 843-3595

Email: rick.dodridge@version.net

Web Address: www.teenchallenge.com/philadelphia

Program for women ages 18+

Residential Program

Many of our centers offer a one-year residential program for adults designed to help men and women learn how to live drug-free lives. During their 1-year stay, they do not hold down outside jobs, as all of their attention is focused on the program. We challenge the residents to embrace the Christian faith. We see that when they do, their lives are transformed and they find true meaning and purpose.

Residents follow strict rules and discipline. All residents adhere to a daily schedule which includes chapel, Bible classes and work assignments on or near the grounds. For information on Teen Challenge's curriculum visit the Teen Challenge Curriculum Page or contact us at tcusa@teenchallengeusa.com or call (417) 862-6969.

While most of our centers are for adults, some do offer residential programs for teenagers. Please contact the Teen Challenge center nearest you to find out what services they offer.

How Do I Get Into The Program

The number one question people ask us is how to get someone into the residential program or to get them involved with the other services Teen Challenge offers.

The procedure for getting in the Teen Challenge program varies from center to center. Some of our centers house teens only, while many of our other centers are for adult men or women only. So the best thing is for you to check our "Directory of Teen Challenge centers page" and contact the center nearest you to find the one that meets your specific needs.

In general, you will first call and setup an interview. The interview serves two purposes. It allows the induction personnel to explain the program to the prospective individual and what is expected of a resident in the program.

For the other services Teen Challenge has to offer such as school presentations, counseling, weekly meetings, check our "Directory of Teen Challenge centers page" and contact the center nearest you to find out the specific services they have to offer.

To get information on a specific Teen Challenge center it is best to contact that center directly.

To Find a Center Near You. Click on a U.S. State or a Region of the world from the drop down menus below.
Inside the United States Select US State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington, D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico	Outside the United States Visit the Global TC Website
See Also............. Step by step instructions on how to get help. Read the amazing success stories of our graduates. Give Today. Learn how you can make a difference in a life.

Do you or someone you know have a gambling problem?  Help is on its way.

Check the article below.

"..pathological gambling is a nonsubstance-related addiction"
Published in the journal Nature Neuroscience

Most people who gamble don't have a problem. Do you ever gamble? How do you know how much is too much?
Share your thoughts.

What do compulsive gamblers and drug addicts have in common? Scientists say their brains look and function in similar fashion.

A new study suggests that the brain's reward center is underactive in compulsive gamblers, which makes it difficult to control or limit the urge. Researchers believe the same area of the brain controls the addictive behavior of habitual drug users.

These findings come with a renewed caution about the allure of popular gambling games like poker, particularly when it comes to teenagers.

Getting Help
If you think you or someone you know has a problem:

• Gamblers Anonymous
• National Council on Problem Gambling
• More Problem Gambling Resources

AA Meeting

Friday 7:00 P.M. regular meeting

8:00 P.M. GUEST SPEAKER

Springdale United Methodist Church

739 Pittsburgh Street

Springdale, PA 15144

Weight Watchers

Wednesday 5:30 - 6:45 P.M.

Springdale United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall

for further information on Weight Watchers click on the link below

http://www.weightwatchers.com/

You Can Make a Difference:  Health Kits Needed

MISSION CENTRAL NEEDS HEALTH KITS FOR THE NEXT SHIPMENT!!
UMCOR has asked that we prepare as many HEALTH KITS as possible for a projected second shipment (which may also include Layette, School, and Sewing Kits as well).  SINCE WE JUST RELEASED ALL HEALTH KITS THAT WERE HERE, PLEASE CONSIDER COLLECTING MATERIALS AND/OR COMPLETE KITS AND GETTING THESE MATERIALS TO MISSION CENTRAL AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE!

HEALTH KIT INGREDIENTS:
Health kits provide basic necessities to people who have been forced to leave their homes because of human conflict or natural disaster. Health kits are also used as learning tools in personal hygiene, literacy, nutrition and cooking classes. When people gain the knowledge and materials to maintain personal hygiene, their overall health improves.

1 hand towel (15" x 25" up to 17" x 27")
1 washcloth
1 comb (large and sturdy, not pocket-sized)
1 nail file or fingernail clippers (no emery boards or toenail clippers)
1 bath-size bar of soap (3 oz. and up)
1 toothbrush (single brushes only in original wrapper)
1 large tube of toothpaste (expiration date must be 6 months or longer in advance of the date of shipment to UMCOR Sager Brown)
6 adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages
Place these items inside a sealed one-gallon plastic bag.    Value: $12 per kit.

THANK YOU!  If you have any questions - please contact Mission Central at 717-766-1533 or missioncentral@cpcumc.org

ANGEL FOOD MINISTRIES ANNOUNCES TWO NEARBY LOCATIONS! STRETCH YOUR FAMILY'S FOOD BUDGET!

Center United Methodist Church              Cheswick Presbyterian Church

Natrona Heights, PA 15065                          Cheswick, PA 15024

Contact: Sharmen Short                              Contact: Bridget Shaginaw

                                              724-226-2300                                                  724-274-6373

  Here's Why I Love Angel Food Ministries

1.      Basically everybody qualifies! There are no applications or forms. You just need to want to save money!

2.      It helps me (and hopefully you) save money predictably every month.

3.      The food is excellent in quality. Restaurant quality only. No "seconds".

4.      There are no monthly fees and no membership fees - it's completely voluntary. Like what you see this month? Order it! Don't like it... well there's always next month's menu.

5.      No extra taxes... they're included in the listed prices.

6.      No delivery costs. They're included in the basic cost each month.

7.      Angel Food Ministries is spreading quickly all over the continental United States

8.      Unlike "shopping" you never touch the food till you take it in your home. Local Angel Food Ministries volunteers pack your products in "Assembly Line" fashion to get your order ready literally in minutes. Your only wait is if there happens to be a line ahead of you when you arrive. I normally take the food to my car myself, but at our local site, the volunteers normally take it directly to your car! This is very handy for the elderly or just folks who need some help lugging stuff around.

9.      The Friendly People at the Host Site! These folks are volunteers serving their community once per month out of the goodness of their heart. They do a great job.

10. Another thing I like about Angel Food Ministries is that it lets people help themselves. Instead of a hand out, it's a way for people to begin the process of bargain hunting, budgeting, and planning. It's a hand up!

11. It Just Makes Me Happy To Tell Folks About How To Save Money! (It's the way network marketing should be, but there's not a company with price values this good and, no, it's not a network marketing company!)