Life•Way serves Western Pennsylvania as a source of comfort and hope for young mothers facing uncertainty about pregnancy. Operating in Indiana and Westmoreland counties, the organization helps expectant mothers welcome the challenges of parenthood with both excitement and hope. The organization provides baby essentials like diapers, clothing, and other supplies such as ointments and baby changing stations; in this way, Life•Way eases the financial worries of bringing home a new baby. Beyond material support, the organization also provides new mothers with educational videos on fetal development and helps them understand essential developmental milestones.
While free material aid initially draws clients through the doors, the organization also serves as an important gateway to broader community care. Thus, Life•Way often works alongside and in partnership with churches. Church communities are often the first to interact with families before an impending crisis, such as an eviction, job loss, or custody struggle. Through equipping these churches with referrals and delivering accessible parenting instruction or counseling, Life•Way helps create a non-judgmental place where families can seek help.
Building on that foundation of community support, mentorship helps new parents reframe the perceived crises of pregnancy into a positive experience. And when an unexpected pregnancy interferes with the life plans of a Life•Way client, the organization can present adoption as a positive, realistic pathway for these mothers. Mentors also teach essential life skills like budgeting, time management, and dealing with public assistance hurdles, guiding parents through long-term goal setting by asking forward-looking questions about their five-year plans and family aspirations. This purposeful coaching instills a clear vision for the future, reassuring clients that their educational and career dreams remain entirely achievable on an adjusted timeline.
At Life•Way, the staff members are non-licensed professionals. Therefore, clients facing complex medical needs are referred to qualified social agencies, support groups, or church pastors for support. Alongside external referrals, staff naturally offer spiritual support through relationships built during day-to-day interactions between clients and staff. Faith is integrated organically in the Life•Way organization through prioritizing trust. Clients know from their first experiences with Life•Way that it is a faith-based ministry, but spiritual discussions are not forced. These conversations occur only when clients ask about the source of the free practical supplies or reflect on the miracle of life shown on an ultrasound. This culture of care is sustained by a strong internal prayer infrastructure, where staff hold weekly prayer sessions as part of the organization’s culture.
Operationally, Life•Way relies heavily on donated inventory and purchases car seats out of pocket. The organization has operating expenses, and payroll is its single largest monthly expense. Strictly adhering to hourly schedules keeps the budget balanced, though it naturally limits facility maintenance, advertising, and operational expansion. To keep high standards of care within these limits, staff and direct client advocates undergo extensive internal training, background checks, and spiritual vetting before service.
By providing the community with material support, educational resources, and community care, Life•Way removes the uncertainty of an unexpected pregnancy and turns it into a manageable, exciting life milestone. While operating costs call for careful oversight, the organization’s reliance on partnerships and volunteers makes certain that young mothers in Western Pennsylvania receive pro-life guidance for both their immediate requirements and for their long-term motherhood experience.
Cristal Evans:
With over 26 years of dedicated service at Life•Way Pregnancy Center, Executive Director Cristal Evans brings deep passion, organizational leadership, and extensive fundraising expertise to the pro-life mission. A Geneva College graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, Cristal has spent over two decades ensuring families in Western Pennsylvania receive the vital resources, guidance, and support they need to help their growing families thrive.
