There are many support groups to help people who are going through a divorce. There are many groups that help the recently divorced or the recently widowed.

But after dealing with the initial hurdles, after many months or several years, where do single adults go for help and support? Where do they go for friendship and social activities that are not centered on couples.

They can go to Alpha Single Adults.

The weekly meetings at Peters Creek United Presbyterian Church in Peters are for "adult Christian singles," according to the five founders, who refer to themselves as "core mentors," who started the group in August. The weekly meetings attract 60 to 100 people.

"The name is Alpha because we have everything from A to Z," said Loretta Davis, of Peters. "No matter what level you are at in single life, we have something for you."

And that includes adults who have never married.

"I was divorced six years before I came to these classes," Tom McNary said. "I live in Johnstown and there is nothing like this. You need to learn to be alone. You need to learn to deal with your anger and fear.''

John Mazzola, a Bethel Park psychologist who volunteers his services to the group, said the main goals were to "build self-esteem and self-confidence and to overcome fear and anger.

"If you sincerely think you cannot do something, then you cannot do it," Mazzola said. "We want to increase their chances of being successful" in all facets of their lives. "We focus on personal strengths. Many people are unaware of their personal strengths."

As members deal with different mentors, they talk, they listen and they learn.

"The one thing that has always bothered me is some groups just talk and never get beyond that," Mazzola said. Alpha Singles talk and interact and do role playing.

"Some people have no idea how to interact or how to treat people," Mazzola said. "We help them learn how to do this."

The female-to-male ratio is about 60 women to 40 men. Ages range from the 20s to 80s, but most are in their 40s and 50s.

The group is always open to suggestions from members. The mentors try to come up with what members need or want.

McNary is developing a "fix-it" group to teach people how to fix toilets and do other home repairs.

Davis works with members who were divorced within the past year or two. "You see them progress from week to week," she said.

Doors to the meetings open at 7 p.m. each Tuesday. Classes are about an hour and are followed by a social hour.

Once a month, all of the classes merge because it's helpful for recently widowed or recently divorced people to mix and mingle with those who have been single for longer periods of time.

Though the group has social activities, including a monthly dance, the mentors emphasize that Alpha is not a dating service. Activities organized by core mentor and social chair Jan Weis include dinner and movie nights; outdoor activities, including walks and cross country skiing; and excursions to Pirates and Steelers games.

There is also a Bible study group.

The meetings are free, though donations of $3 are accepted to cover the cost of coffee and snacks.

And there's one more thing that makes this group different. "Once you get married, some groups tell you to hit the bricks," Mazzola said. "We are going to encourage members to stay" if they marry or remarry.

For further information, view the Web site at www.Alphasingleadults.com or call Peters Creek UP Church at 724-941-6210. Davis can be contacted at her e-mail address, davis@msn.com, and Mazzola can be telephoned at 412-600-0518.