Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the mission for the TryLife Center in Lower Burrell has changed from primarily encouraging young pregnant women to give birth to assisting more single dads and working with co-parenting arrangements.

The nonprofit offers educational services, covering pregnancy, abortion, adoption and parenting.

“We get abortion-determined women and women who are not sure,” said Amber Blair, TryLife’s executive director. “But the majority of clients have made a decision.”

The center counsels everyone no matter their decision, Blair said. However, they don’t refer clients to abortion services.

It offers baby essentials such as cribs, car seats, diapers and the seemingly endless need for baby shoes. The nonprofit services are available for residents with no income limits throughout the Alle- Kiski Valley.

“At first, we were serving young mothers. Now, we are teaching women in their 40s about parenting as well as more single fathers,” Blair said. Families are eligible for TryLife’s service until a child reaches 3 years old.

Co-parenting with grandparents and in-laws has become another growing group of clients, she added. The nonprofit offers seminars on pregnancy, child development, healthy living, parenting and other classes for the biological parents and legal guardians of a child.

The number of clients served by TryLife has skyrocketed more than fourfold, from 31 clients in 2004 to more than 174 clients from January through November. The Lower Burrell center welcomed more than 1,422 on-site client visits so far this year.

The center’s educational offerings — classes, videos and more — is most popular with clients, said Maddie Crytzer, director of client services.

Popular videos and classes cover child development, what to expect during pregnancy, life skills, cooking and more.

The educational sessions, whether in a class or one-on-one, generate points for clients to redeem baby items.

“Some clients say, ‘I’m going to get my diapers and go home,’ ” Crytzer said. “Then they watch a video, and they like it and want to learn more.”

Some baby supplies such as car seats require a parent to watch a video on car safety with children before they get the seat.

The center teaches and reinforces parenting concepts such as positive discipline.

“Some people come from abusive homes and have to learn that,” Blair said. “We want to continue to reduce barriers for people to be successful.”

Their classes and offerings will continue to evolve to meet the needs of clients as the nonprofit charts its course, Blair said.

TryLife recently opened a satellite office in New Kensington at 255 Third St. to be closer to residents. Westmoreland County has limited bus service, Blair added.

The nonprofit has 11 employees with only Blair and Crytzer working full time. A cadre of 20 volunteers help with the workload.

New clients can make an appointment by calling 724-339-9399 or visiting TryLife’s website at trylife.center.

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