Hello Baby!

Being a parent is hard. Often, it’s messy, overwhelming, and thankless. It can also be the opportunity of a lifetime, offering endless fulfillment and joy. Especially for new parents, caregivers tend to feel everything, everywhere, all at once. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Regardless of culture or national origin, I have found that parents across the globe usually worry about the same things: “Does my child have access to everything they need?”, “Are they healthy?”, “Will they receive a quality education?”, “How are they developing?”, “How can I keep them safe?”, “Will they have a life that is better than mine?”, “Are they happy?”, and “ Am I doing enough for my child?” Parents dig deep every day, making tremendous sacrifices their children often do not see. Selflessly, caregivers offer their sleep, food, bodies, hearts, and minds to the cause. For New American parents, these universal hopes, needs, and stressors are compounded by the experiences and lasting effects of forced migration, trauma, and resettlement.

The New American Healthy Pregnancy program was first implemented in 2023 as a response to the unique needs of refugee and immigrant parents. Generously funded through the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, the program is geared toward improving the health outcomes of pre-and postnatal caregivers and their infants. Program participants have a diverse menu of programming options to choose from, including comprehensive case management services, healthcare navigation, culturally and linguistically appropriate childbirth education classes, peer-based doula support, health education workshops, socialization opportunities, and guided referral to other relevant resources.

One of the most popular and critical components of the New American Healthy Pregnancy program is the “Hello Baby!” newborn welcome kits that are supplied to each new caregiver. These kits provide a comprehensive array of basic needs supplies to refugee and immigrant families that include diapers, wipes, clothing, car seats, safe sleep devices, hygiene items, feeding supports, and postpartum essentials for birthing caregivers. Program services and supplies ensure that refugee and immigrant parents can focus on their health and wellbeing both during and after birth as well as the health of their new babies. Additionally, the program works to empower caregivers, especially mothers, during a process that may be new and confusing. Thus far, the New American Healthy Pregnancy program has supported more than 65 caregivers during their journeys toward family building.

If you are interested in contributing items to our “Hello Baby!” welcome kits, please contact our Community Engagement Manager, Rhonda Butler, at rbutler@ifwcny.org for a list of needed items and more details!

Genevieve Marshall

Director of Health & Integration Services, Center for New Americans