New Path Pregnancy Resource Centers’ Walk for Life brings families, churches and communities together each year to celebrate the beauty of the sanctity of human life.  

The 16^th annual fundraising walk returns Saturday, May 2, beginning promptly at 10 a.m., at 169 Grove Street, Marysville. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.  

Geared toward family fun, the event supports the ministry of New Path Pregnancy Resource Centers of Bellefontaine and Marysville.  

This is a rain or shine activity, so taking an umbrella is encouraged. Walkers can park at Edgewood Elementary. 

Church families and small groups are encouraged to attend. Those who have registered in early April will receive a T-shirt; however, some shirts may still be available for Saturday morning registrants.  

There are no dogs allowed, but participants are encouraged to take sunscreen, lawn chairs and blankets for the family-friendly event, where face painting, balloon animals, food and games will be offered. 

A goal of raising $100,000 has been set to support New Path PRC, and 46 percent of that goal already attained. For more information and to support this event visit: https://secure.fundeasy.com/ministrysync/event/website/home/?e=31885. 

New Path Pregnancy Resource Center, located at 709 N. Main St., Bellefontaine, offers services to its surrounding community.  

Additionally, Marysville New Path PNC is situated at 169 Grove St., Suite 3, in Marysville. Both serve beyond the cities they reside in. The executive director of New Path PRC is Kathleen Shanks; Cara Miller serves as the director of the Marysville Center and Emily Berry is the director of the Bellefontaine location.  

“New Path Pregnancy Resource Centers have a dedicated team of volunteers and staff committed to sharing God’s love, providing accurate information and supporting young women and men in their decisions regarding pregnancy, sexual integrity, parenting and post-abortion care,” Berry said.  

“At New Path, we believe that every person who walks through our doors is an image-bearer of God, deserving of respect and dignity, and whose life has inherent value and purpose.” 

Guidance and support are offered to individuals during some of the hardest times of their lives, whether they are facing unplanned pregnancies, struggling with parenting challenges or needing post-abortion care. In this place, you can find someone who understands the sorrow and tears you may experience while grieving the loss of a miscarriage or abortion. 

Their educational programs cover various topics, including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, infant care, and parenting. Additionally, they foster support through mentoring and relationship-building, ensuring that their clients feel valued and understood. 

“At New Path, we will walk with you as long as you need us, reaffirming that you are not alone,” Berry said.  

All services are free and confidential. They also offer material resources, including diapers, wipes, car seats, baby clothing and much more. Most importantly, they are there to provide support, compassion, love and hope.  

Sycamore House  

In March, many area families, pastors, and church members were present at a gala that was held for the support of the Sycamore House - a pregnancy and life center located at 647 Bodey Circle, Urbana.  

The gala took place at Graham Middle School March 27. Martha Weisenberger, a Cable area resident, was a table host for the event and was encouraged by the amount of support.  

“It not only reaches pregnant women, but it supports families. They provide parenting classes with support for both mothers and fathers. Abortion recovery classes start April 9, 2026. Parents can earn bucks for the free store that has supplies including clothes for children up to 6T. Grandparent support is even considered for those raising grandkids.” 

Sarah Holland, executive director of the Sycamore House of Urbana, shared the many programs, classes and services that are available.  

Many different classes and services are offered, such as pregnancy testing, STI Testing, abortion information, abortion grief counseling and ultrasound referrals can be requested at Sycamore.  

Notably, an outreach is also available for men at the Sycamore House, as well as at New Path. Traditionally, all focus has been on the mother in an unexpected pregnancy, when fathers also need support. The benefits of encouraging fathers to support the mother of their child and their baby can greatly improve the child’s future.  

Children whose fathers remain involved in their lives are 80 percent less likely to be incarcerated and are half as likely to experience depression symptoms. 

Two local pastors currently serve in the mentoring program for fathers at the Sycamore House. Future plans include a full-time staff position created especially for male mentoring. 

“If a leader for this position is found, more men could be reached and this would be a paid position,” Holland explained. 

Next up for both centers is a time-honored campaign that runs from Mother’s Day to Father’s Day. Both the Sycamore House and New Path will conduct their Blessing in a Bottle campaigns. Baby bottles are dispersed throughout the community churches and various businesses for supporters to fill with their change between the two parental holidays.  

This yearly fundraiser is one of the biggest ways that the two organizations gather funds.  

You can visit the New Path PRC website at: https://www.newpathprc.com or call New Path of Marysville at 937-642-5683, and New Path of Bellefontaine at 937-592-7734.  

The Sycamore House’s website is: https://sycamorehouseprc.org, and their phone number is (937) 653-3737.