Guest speaker Eric Scheidler, executive director of the Pro-Life Action League. (Photo by Adela Crandell Durkee/for Chronicle Media)

April 8, 2016 marked 1^st Way Life Center’s 4th Annual Pathway to Hope Banquet.

The Banquet, an annual fundraiser, began four years ago to raise funds for the facility’s ultrasound machine.

1^st Way is a not-for-profit organization that serves women and girls who feel that their pregnancy puts them in an impossible situation. The banquet provides a means of sharing the organizations work, challenges and joys. It also provides a chance for supporters to hear about progress and challenges.

Although the banquet is free, it is 1st Way’s largest fundraiser, with many local businesses underwriting a table, and attendees offering personal donations. This year the NPO also gained a grant from Mental Health Resource League for McHenry County, Inc. and had a drawing for a quilt.

Over the past three years, the quilts donated by Carol Hudson raised more than $6,600 for 1st Way. The quilt group, which she belongs to, provides beautiful quilts for new moms and their babies.

Judy Cocks, director of 1st Way Life Center, said that “1st Way has become an institution in the community.” (Photo by Adela Crandell Durkee/for Chronicle Media)

Operated primarily by volunteers, 1^st Way’s clientele increased by 38 percent in 2015, helping 340 women and girls. This year the active clients list is 190. On average, 1^st Way volunteers see 93 individuals each month, many more than once. This translates into 144 encounters each month with clients, or 36 meetings each week. Many of these women and girls are unmarried (62 percent) and unemployed (67 percent).

The organization’s goal is to empower women with knowledge and assistance. They offer pregnancy tests and ultrasounds. They help clients find a doctor, transportation, a job, help with groceries, and at times, even help women find place to live.

It offers coursework in child rearing and health. Attending a class earns “Dollars” for the store.

Turning in homework earns additional “Dollars.” The “Dollars” are used to purchase new or gently used clothing, furniture, parenting books, and supplies for the mothers and their children. The organization offers a moms’ group for clients so they can begin to build a network with other mothers.

The banquet honors the support of individuals and organization for 1^st Way’s 38^th year of serving the community. According to Director, Judy Cocks “1^st Way has become an institution in the community.”

Cocks is quick to point out it takes a matrix of caring people from many organizations to make 1^st Way as effective as it is.

Volunteers get involved in a variety of ways: They help with fundraisers; interface with clients; write thank-yous; help with bookkeeping; launder and sort clothing; empty the trash; or answer the phones.

The organization collaborates with many of the other major agencies in the community such as Home of the Sparrow, PADs, Turning Point, McHenry County Health Department, Prairie Legal Services, McHenry County Workforce and McHenry County College and local high schools.

The growth 1^st Way experienced through the years resulted in at least seven moves. This spring, the organization purchased its own facility. The permanent location is next to the library in Johnsburg: 3714 Fairview Ave. The move became possible through a generous down payment donation and through the money raised at the banquets and drawings.

The banquet attendees represented many local churches, businesses, and individuals who dedicate their time and talent to the success of the organization. Cocks ended the evening with a quote from Mother Theresa:

I can do things you cannot

            You can do things I cannot

            Together we can do great things.