SLIPPERY ROCK — The Slippery Rock Pregnancy Center is about more than unplanned pregnancy. It's about making a difference.

A class of five new consultants will graduate soon with this philosophy behind them.

Training classes ran for the last six weeks with several hours of hands-on training still to come.

For Rachael Craig, that will be a little daunting.

"This is challenging and it puts a new spin on everything I've learned," said Craig, a senior social work major at Slippery Rock University.

"It's a little scary too," she said. "This is going to make a difference in someone else's life."

Craig is picking up the skills not only to help the people in Slippery Rock, but to open a teen pregnancy school someday.

The pregnancy center helps not only teen mothers, but anyone with unplanned pregnancies. Those with planned pregnancies who need help are also welcome at the pregnancy center.

There are no income requirements for assistance. Some families may have just lost a job or not have the baby supplies anymore, according to Barb Wiles, director of the center.

At the center, they can find basic baby supplies as well as advice and resources for new and expecting parents. Consultants help those visiting the center find the right materials or agencies to contact for their needs as opposed to counseling the person, said Wiles.

Listening becomes the most important skill, she said.

"They can't learn a certain set of guidelines for every person," she said. "They have to be flexible."

And while the center is a "life affirming" agency, there are times when information about abortion is dispensed as well. It's not recommended, according to Wiles, but many people need information or post-abortion counseling.

The center also offers parenting classes, childbirth classes and a Learn-to-Earn program in which pregnant moms earn points toward purchasing new baby items by studying educational materials.

Donated baby clothing and other items as well as new supplies are also available.

Consultant training is six weeks of classes about how to communicate with clients of the center.

Training is actually 21 hours plus four weeks of hands on.

Now that this round of consultant training is complete, the trainees will have four weeks of hands-on training, including role playing and shadowing another consultant before trying it on their own, said Wiles.

The class of trainees is split between university students and community members, but Wiles enjoys having the university close by.

"I love having students help," she said. "It keeps us in tune to what's happening."

Janelle Risser, a freshman social work major, came to the center to fulfill volunteer hours for a class, but something about it caused her to become more involved. When consultant training came up, she signed on.

"I just really enjoyed it," she said. "I've really enjoyed meeting everyone."

Risser said she's always known she wanted to counsel people in some form of social work. The real-life experience at the center has opened her eyes to many things.

There are other pregnancy referral agencies in the area, but Wiles hopes people see the Slippery Rock center as a welcoming place. One rule is taught to consultants, volunteers and anyone affiliated with the center.

"We try to always respect the person," she said.

The center has been in Slippery Rock since 1986 and it is run by Christian organization Care Net International, which provides funding and training guidelines.

The center serves 40 to 45 women per month, and Wiles estimates it serves about 60 children. The biggest needs are clothing from the Mom's Shop, but the center also gives out about 12 pregnancy test kits per month.

Other than the five trainees, the center has six other consultants, with at least one on site during from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

The address is 115 Franklin Street, Slippery Rock. For more information, call 724-794-3325 or e-mail srpregnancycenter@zoominternet.net.