Catholic Social Services Recognized As “Service Provider Of The Year” By Real Alternatives For The 10th Consecutive Year

Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CSS) has been named as Pennsylvania’s “Service Provider of the Year” by Real Alternatives, the non-profit, charitable organization in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that administers the Pennsylvania Pregnancy and Parenting Support Services Program.

CSS has now received this recognition for ten consecutive years. It is presented to the provider agency that has served the most pregnant women in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Ms. Amy Stoner, director of CSS’s Community-Based and Housing and Homeless Services Division, was in attendance at Real Alternatives’ recent annual conference in Harrisburg. She was joined by CSS administrators and staff. Ms. Kathleen Bevenour, Assistant Director of CSS’ Community-Based Services division, accepted the award on behalf of CSS.

“This decade of recognition is witness to our continuous efforts to provide life-affirming support services throughout the five-county Philadelphia area to pregnant and parenting women and their families. It is a testament of the dedication and commitment of our staff,” said Amy. “It is a privilege to walk alongside these mothers and their babies. We look forward to continuing this vital work and being a beacon of hope for so many.”

In 2021, 3,905 women across the five-county metropolitan area benefited from free and comprehensive support services through CSS’ Beautiful Beginnings program with CSS serving 1,877 pregnant clients and 2,028 clients who are the parents of newborns, infants, or young children. In addition, approximately 8,400 diapers and baby items were distributed to families in need.

Additional modes of support through CSS include in-person and virtual prenatal and parenting classes; events and support groups; assistance in finding appropriate medical services, referrals for other services for the needs of the women and newborn; and access to baby food, diapers, furniture, and other essentials.

In addition to “Service Provider of the Year,” CSS’ Casa del Carmen Family Service Center, located in the Philadelphia’s Hunting Park section, received its first “Site of the Year” award for serving the most number of pregnant women. In 2021, the site provided services to 758 expecting mothers. For over six decades, Casa Del Carmen Family Service Center has assisted the Latino population of North Philadelphia.

CSS has served as a Real Alternatives service provider for over 25 years providing meaningful life-affirming pregnancy and parenting support services throughout the five-county Philadelphia area. CSS has 21 trained Real Alternative counselors on staff.

About Real Alternatives

Real Alternatives is a government-funded program of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services that provides pregnancy and parenting support services to women facing unplanned, crisis pregnancies which empowers them to choose childbirth over abortion. For more information, please visit https://www.realalternatives.org/.

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Editor’s Note: For more information on Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit https://cssphiladelphia.org/.