OUR STORY
HOW IT STARTED
IN 2023, THE FAMILY BIRTH CENTER LOCAL COUNCIL IDENTIFIED THAT THERE IS A LARGE POPULATION OF PEOPLE WHO DISCHARGE FROM THE HOSPITAL WITHOUT THE ESSENTIAL ITEMS NEEDED TO CARE FOR A BABY (CLEAN CLOTHES, DIAPERS, BREASTFEEDING SUPPLIES, ETC.) IN ORDER TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN DISCHARGE AND ASSISTANCE OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL, THE LOCAL COUNCIL KNEW WE NEEDED TO FIND A WAY TO SUPPORT OUR FAMILIES. THUS, BACKPACKS FOR BABIES WAS BORN.
OUR FIRST BACKPACKS
THANKS TO JAKE'S NETWORK OF HOPE, THE LOCAL COUNCIL, AND STAFF MEMBERS FROM THE AREA BIRTH CENTERS, WE WERE ABLE TO PACK 100 DIAPER BAGS WITH ITEMS SUCH AS TOYS, CLOTHING, BLANKETS, BOTTLES, NURSING BRAS, AND MORE. EACH BIRTH CENTER CAMPUS (NEENAH, APPLETON, WAUPACA, SHAWNO, AND BERLIN) WAS GIVEN BACKPACKS AND A CLOSET OF CLEAN CLOTHES TO PROVIDE TO THEIR FAMILIES TO AID IN THE PROCESS OF A SAFE AND HEALTHY DISCHARGE. FAMILIES ELIGIBLE FOR BACKPACKS MUST...
1. HAVE NO INSURANCE OR HAVE STATE-PROVIDED INSURANCE
2. HAVE TWO OR MORE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE PATIENTS HEALTHCARE TEAM
WHERE WE ARE NOW
1.5 YEARS LATER, 100 BACKPACKS WERE GIVEN TO FAMILIES IN NEED. THE LOCAL COUNCIL NEW WE NEEDED TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING OUR FAMILIES AFTER DISCHARGE, SO AFTER SOME MORE RESEARCH, WE CAME BACK TOGETHER TO PACK 140+ MORE BACKPACKS. OUR CAMPUS CLOSETS CONTINUE TO GROW WITH BABY AND ADULT CLOTHES, BREAST PUMPS, SIBLING TOYS, AND MORE.
