BELLEVILLE, July 25, 2026 — The Belleville Chamber of Commerce joined the Belleville Pregnancy and Family Care Centre (BPFCC) for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:30 a.m. on July 25, 2026, officially opening the Centre’s new home at 180 Front Street. The Centre’s Grand Opening and Supporter Appreciation Tour was attended by City of Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis, Board Chair Elizabeth Palmer, and the many tradespeople, volunteers and community partners who helped bring the new space to life.
The morning’s program opened with a welcome from Board Chair Elizabeth Palmer, followed by remarks from Executive Director Heather Tapp thanking all those who have helped in the project. Mayor Neil Ellis, representatives from the Belleville Downtown District, and the Belleville Chamber of Commerce, also addressed the crowd before the ribbon was officially cut by Mayor Ellis, Councillor Garnet Thompson, Elizabeth Palmer, Michelle Stephens (owner, Bel-Con), Matt Visser (Project Manager), Graham Quick, Greg Meeks, Heather Tapp, Danielle Hanoman (DBIA Executive Director), and Ashley Foley (Belleville Chamber of Commerce).
Since being established in 1989, the Centre has served more than 5,500 individuals and families in Belleville and the surrounding area. In 2024, after two years of continued growth and a 30% increase in client visits, the Centre’s Board of Directors made what they describe as a bold and visionary decision: to form a steering committee and begin searching for a larger space. That search led them to 180 Front Street, a property offering greater visibility and accessibility for the community they serve.
That search led to the launch of the A New Home for Hope Capital Campaign to expand the Centre’s facilities and enhance its programs. The Centre began seeking lead support for the $1.7-million campaign in June 2025 before launching it more broadly in the fall and winter of 2025. More than 35 tradespeople, contractors, and volunteers have since donated their time and expertise to make the Centre’s new home a reality.
The John M. and Bernice Parrott Foundation provided a lead gift that helped propel the campaign forward, and the wider community has continued to rally behind the project ever since. To date, $1,350,000 has been raised toward the $1.7-million goal, leaving the Centre just $350,000 away from reaching it in full.
The ribbon and scissors used for the ceremony carried special meaning for the Centre. Both were gifted at the very start of the capital campaign by supporters, prayerfully encouraging the team to push forward with its ambitious fundraising goal.
“A wonderful couple came in with the scissors and ribbon and said they were praying for us and knew the goal would be met,” said Heather Tapp, Executive Director of the Centre. “In one year, over $1,350,000 has been raised towards our $1.7-million goal, to date.”
“After years of planning, fundraising, and support from this community, we are so grateful to open the doors of our new home and welcome the people we serve into a space built with them in mind,” said Liz Palmer, Board Chair of the Belleville Pregnancy and Family Care Centre.
“This new space allows us to offer more privacy, more programming, and more room to care for the individuals and families who come through our doors,” added Heather Tapp, Executive Director of the Centre. “We can’t wait to show the community what’s possible here.”
The heart of why this new space matters so much are rooted in families and individuals throughout the community. Stories like Lisa’s: who was pregnant with two young children at home, and facing an empty pantry and mounting bills. Lisa turned to the Centre during a difficult moment. There, she found compassionate care, practical support and the resources she needed to care for her family and begin to move forward; the kind of support the Centre hopes to offer even more families now that it has a larger, permanent home.
“The sign on our reception wall reads, ‘Hope Has A Home Here. Welcome to our Village.’ These words reflect the heart of who we are,” said Heather Tapp. “Many of our client friends have shared that the Centre has become their village. A place where they feel welcomed, supported, and genuinely cared for. Already, we are seeing the impact of our new location. People have stopped in simply because they saw our sign. Some have come seeking help, while others have come because they want to be part of what is happening here.”
Guests had the opportunity to tour the new facility, meet staff and volunteers, and enjoy light refreshments throughout the open house, which ran from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Centre used the occasion to thank the donors, contractors and community partners whose generosity made the project possible.
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About the Belleville Pregnancy and Family Care Centre
The Belleville Pregnancy and Family Care Centre is a Christian charitable organization registered with the CRA that has served Belleville and area since 1989, supporting more than 5,500 individuals and families over the past 37 years. The Centre offers support, education and resources, including post-abortion care, to anyone facing an unexpected pregnancy or challenges related to pregnancy. Every client receives accurate, compassionate information about their options.
Media Contact:
Heather Tapp, Executive Director
Belleville Pregnancy and Family Care Centre
director@bpfcc.ca | 613-969-7866
180 Front Street, Belleville, ON K8N 2Y7
bpfcc.ca
