It was a big day for New Hope Counseling Center, one that was over a decade in the making.

Supporters, volunteers, community leaders, and local clergy gathered at New Hope in Quarryville on March 26 for a ribbon-cutting and building dedication ceremony.

The celebration marked the completion of a successful fundraising campaign to support the purchase and renovation of the center's building at 307 Chestnut St. and the expansion of counseling services. The building was formally dedicated as the Emory D. Wagner Building.

"This is the culmination of several years of thinking and praying about if this is the right location and if we should purchase the building," New Hope executive director Deb Riddell said. "The board was deliberate about thinking this through."

The project was funded through the New Hope for a Healthier Community Capital Campaign. More than 125 donors contributed over $1.1 million toward the effort. A lead donation was given by Dwight E. Wagner in honor of his father, Emory D. Wagner. The building is now the Emory D. Wagner Building.

"A lot of people rallied around to help this project happen," Riddell said. "I am beyond grateful for the community, and I am amazed how God brought this all to fruition. It looked like an impossible task for us. We'd never raised anything near this amount, and yet, the community rallied and helped this to happen."

In 2023, New Hope was presented with the opportunity to purchase the building where its offices have been located since 2004. Riddell said, "The building's convenient, yet private, location is ideal for New Hope clients, and purchasing the building ensured that compassionate, professional, and affordable counseling will remain available to the Solanco community."

New Hope officially purchased the building in January 2024. Riddell said completed renovations have increased capacity and therapeutic options. "Renovations created more and larger offices for counselors so that more than two family members can participate comfortably in a counseling session," she said. "New features include a large room for group counseling as well as art/play therapy. The renovated facility enables New Hope to offer group counseling programs for those dealing with grief, blended families, or parenting or co-parenting issues."

Riddell added that New Hope plans to offer support groups at no cost to participants, and the organization recently expanded its no-fee program at Solanco High School to serve more students.

The counseling center is funded by the New Hope Community Closet Thrift Store, 128 Townsedge Drive, Quarryville.

"About 70% of our clients receive financial assistance," Riddell said. "From the very beginning, the board never wanted to turn anyone away because they could not afford the full rate of counseling."

Emory Wagner was a real estate broker and developer and philanthropist. His company constructed the building that New Hope occupies in 1980 and is also responsible for many buildings in the Quarryville area, as well as Tanglewood Manor Golf Club.

His son, Dwight, was one of the featured speakers at the dedication ceremony, along with Mike Thornton of Clark Associates Charitable Foundation, another one of the capital campaign's main supporters.

"As you age in life, I think you learn that you got where you are because of community, and the success in your business is because of community," Dwight said. "So you need to give back. This is just another step in a journey of givebacks I've been able to contribute."

Dwight was emotional while discussing his father's impact on him and the community. "It's a lot," he said of the ceremony. "He was my mentor. He was a great guider to my career. He planted all the seeds that gave me the skillset to do what I've done in my career. It's fantastic."

For more information about New Hope Counseling Center or the capital campaign, go to http://www.newhopeministry.info or contact Riddell at 717-786-2802, ext. 101, or director@newhopeministry.info.