“The BVTMB team is thrilled to do a monthly series on local non-profit organizations in our community. Each month our team we will highlight a different non-profit with the hopes to educate and support all of the fabulous things they do. We encourage you to read, comment, and share what non-profit organizations are close to your hearts and families.”
All jokes about “babies should come with a manual” aside, having a newborn at home can be wonderful but incredibly challenging. The question “what do moms of newborns need?” has many possible answers including emotional support, assistance with everyday tasks, childcare for older children. Many families from all backgrounds are simply not getting necessary support during this critical time. Good Beginnings of Central Vermont is increasing awareness of postpartum and providing essential care one baby and one family at a time.
“The services we provide are not just a ‘nice benefit’ for these families. There’s a real need,” says Alison Lamagna, Executive Director. “We need to switch our thinking about postpartum to recognizing the emotional and physical needs of moms and families.”
Through their family home visiting program, knowledgeable volunteers are paired with families for twelve weeks. Volunteers bring along information and special gifts in a welcome packet and a relationship blossoms from there. Volunteers provide a helping hand and a kind ear to moms of newborns who may not have any other support system. They provide companionship, answer questions and connect the family to other services as needed.
Families supported through this program are from diverse backgrounds with diverse sets of stressors, but Program Director Ana Campanile says, “No matter your situation, whether you are married, single, what your income level is, all moms want the best for their babies, and all moms need postpartum support.”
In addition to the home visit program, Good Beginnings offers events for fathers, educational programming and their space in Montpelier, called The Nest, is host to other support groups and service organizations. Their In Loving Arms program pairs trained volunteers with babies born with opiate dependency to provide cuddling to babies in the hospital after their moms have been discharged or have their own appointments to attend.
In the past year alone, through all of their programming, Good Beginnings has helped 132 families in Central Vermont.
In the future, Good Beginnings hopes to expand their service to the entire state, with volunteers in every city and town. One step towards that dream is launching this year in partnership with Childcare Resource in South Burlington. Good Beginnings is accepting applications for volunteer home visitors in the South Burlington area starting July 1, 2015. After training, volunteers would likely be in homes starting Winter 2015/2016. Click to download the application.
