October 5, 2007, Harrisburg, PA - Real Alternatives, administrator of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare's Alternative to Abortion Program, has once again been awarded the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organization’s (PANO) Seal of Excellence for successfully completing the Standards for Excellence re-certification program.  Real Alternatives was reviewed by a "jury of its peers" who examined Real Alternatives for compliance with PANO's Standards for Excellence: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector.

Standards for Excellence are based on fundamental values such as honesty, integrity, fairness, respect, trust, responsibility, and accountability.  Real Alternatives' programs and services, management, fundraising, and financial practices were examined in depth before the certification was awarded.  Real Alternatives was one of the first four organizations to be certified under the Standards program that began in 2002, and again one of the very first to be re-certified.

Kevin I. Bagatta, Esquire, President & CEO of Real Alternatives comments: "Submitting to the review process required for re-certification under the Standards for Excellence involved a lot of hard work for us, but once again, it was a worthwhile process.  The PANO Seal of Excellence shows that over the years we have continued to take every step to ensure we're serving the community well, and operating in an ethical and upright way.  We're very proud to have earned this re-certification!  Thomas Lang, Esquire, Pennsylvania Program Director for Real Alternatives remarked “our work on behalf of women experiencing a crisis due to unplanned pregnancies exemplifies both our dedication to our cause, and our pledge to meet the highest standards of ethical practice.  As we continue forward, we will continue to strive for excellence." 

According to Joe Geiger, Executive Director of PANO, "Organizations which are successful in the certification program should be commended for their commitment to excellence and integrity."  PANO encourages organizations to participate in the voluntary certification program because the Standards can help improve your organization.  Mr. Geiger added, "With every new organization that meets the Standards, we move one step closer to the day when the public will feel confident that its nonprofit organizations are acting ethically and are accountable in their program operations, governance, human resources, financial management, and fundraising practices."  

PANO is the statewide membership organization serving and advancing the nonprofit sector through leadership, advocacy, education, and services in order to improve the quality of life in Pennsylvania.  For more information about the Standards for Excellence program or to request a copy of the Standards, contact PANO directly at (717) 236-8584 or visit www.pano.org.

 Real Alternatives has served over 130,000 Pennsylvania women and their families through its statewide network of counselors at 121 life-affirming sites since its inception in 1995, and is currently funded at $6.5 million per year. Women experiencing unplanned pregnancies can find their closest site by calling toll-free at 1-888-LIFE AID or by visiting www.realalternatives.org.