Dear John,
Did you know that April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month? It is a meaningful month for us at CMCA, especially in our Head Start and Early Head Start Programs that serve children age 5 and under. We're committed to ensuring all of these kids remain safe from abuse and neglect.
In fact, it was this very thought that started our Women and Infant Relief Fund (WIRF). When CMCA Health Administrator Jackie Rivera was meeting with new moms in their homes while working for Early Head Start, she noticed how many of them were lacking the basic necessities for them and their babies. Some moms were trying to stretch formula, others were worried about how they were going to afford a car seat, and some had babies with diaper rash because they needed to ration diapers. Jackie knew these choices were not only unsafe for a baby, they also led to cranky babies and stressed out parents. These are the types of conditions that can lead to child abuse.
Jackie started thinking of solutions and created CMCA’s WIRF. WIRF is entirely funded by donations from individuals and businesses and events like the upcoming Bingo for Babies. Through WIRF, expecting mothers can attend virtual baby showers each month of their pregnancy through which they learn important parenting information and receive an item they need for their babies first few months. WIRF also maintains a closet for mothers who come to us in crisis, needing items such as diapers, wipes, car seats, clothing, formula, and more.
As their children grow, mothers who participate in WIRF can also get connected with other CMCA services, such as our financial opportunity center and Early Head Start, to further work on improving their economic situation and leading to less stress and more fulfilling parenting. If you'd like to learn more about our efforts to prevent child abuse or even join us as a volunteer, let me know by replying to this email or using our form here.
