On Jan. 15, 2025, Pathway of Hope director Diana Anderson cuts the ribbon, officially opening the new ultrasound machine at the pregnancy resource center as staff, board members, supporters, and expectant mother MaKenna Whitehouse look on. The machine was purchased by a grant from the Knights of Columbus Council 17606 of Beaver Dam and Morgantown, in conjunction with the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council. COURTESY OF PATHWAY OF HOPE

BY BERNIE HAYES, SPECIAL TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC

Twenty years ago, Pathway of Hope Pregnancy Resource Center first opened its doors in Central City, Muhlenberg County, with the desire to give hope to young pregnant women who found themselves in what seemed like a potentially hopeless situation. They provided support and help with obtaining clothing and food for the newborns, as well as helping to arrange medical assistance where needed.

In the years since that opening, Pathway of Hope has grown in size and services. They are currently in their fourth location, an ADA-compliant building in Greenville near the hospital, and have served nearly 2,000 clients, now providing pregnancy options counseling, peer counseling, pregnancy loss counseling, adoption plan assistance, post-abortion counseling, and many other services. They also provide abstinence until marriage education for clients, public and private schools, churches, as well as groups and organizations. The center is 100% supported through donations and provides all services free of charge.

In their need to continue to support expectant mothers, Pathway of Hope director, Diana Anderson, reached out to the Knights of Columbus to help them begin providing ultrasound services. The Fr. Joseph O’Donnell Council 17606 of Beaver Dam and Morgantown gladly took up this challenge. The local council worked to get approval from the Diocese of Owensboro and from the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus to begin fundraising efforts to provide a new ultrasound machine.

Expectant mother MaKenna Whitehouse watches the ultrasound image of her unborn baby on the monitor above as Pathway of Hope volunteer Tricia Bearns, RN, performs her ultrasound. COURTESY OF PATHWAY OF HOPE

When the need became evident to other Knights of Columbus councils across western Kentucky, checks began pouring in. Seven other Knights of Columbus councils and one Fourth Degree assembly sent donations to assist in purchasing the ultrasound equipment needed. Donations also came in from several individuals and from the Pickin’ Life Project, which raises funds to support four pregnancy resource centers in western Kentucky.

On Oct. 8, 2024, the ultrasound equipment was delivered; on Oct. 14, the staff at Pathway of Hope began training on the use of the new machine; and on Jan. 15, 2025, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for the ultrasound machine at the Pathway of Hope facility. Representatives from the Muhlenberg County Chamber of Commerce, Knights of Columbus Council 17606, state representative Rebecca Raymer, judge executive Mack McGehee, Pathway of Hope staff and board members as well as many community supporters witnessed the ribbon-cutting and an actual ultrasound of an expectant mother and baby. Dcn. Don Adams of St. Joseph Parish in Central City was on hand to bless the new machine, as well as the expectant mother.

Many thanks to all who worked fundraising efforts, to Councils and individuals who donated, and to the Supreme Council for providing resources in such a needed and worthy program.

Originally printed in the February 2025 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.