Supporting New Moms During COVID-19
Donation protected
Thank you in advance for considering donating to this fundraiser to support new moms during COVID-19. I'm hopeful that we can make a difference, through a little cloth and some ink, for a group who is heavily impacted right now: new parents.
OUR NEW GOAL: Provide 100 infant onesies to new moms who are COVID-positive and symptomatic and separated from their babies at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
OUR ORIGINAL GOAL (ACHIEVED!): Provide 300 infant onesies to new moms delivering at Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC) and Mercy Hospital during COVID-19. Each onesie, designed with a message to support new parents, will be accompanied by a postcard with information about perinatal mental health resources available virtually. 100% of all funds raised will go towards printing the onesies (at-cost through Alpha Graphics) which will then be delivered directly, along with resource postcards, to new moms at GBMC and Mercy.
WHY? Having a baby is scary enough without having to do so during a global pandemic. COVID-19 is drastically changing our lives right now and one of the groups most impacted is new parents. About 3 out of 4 new mothers will experience the "baby blues." About 1 in 7 will experience postpartum depression. We can only imagine what an impact this additional uncertainty, intense isolation, and lack of support will have on those existing statistics. In addition to the anxiety of a major medical event during a time when most hospitals are at max capacity, parents will be bringing their new baby home without any of the usual support systems. No one to come stay with them and help them survive that first week. No one to come hold the baby while they take a shower. No one to come coo over those perfect little fingers and toes. No "mommy and me" support group to join. No one to come hold their hand while they cry about how hard this all is.
HOW WILL THESE ONESIES HELP? These onesies are a way to physically remind new parents of how strong and how loved they are. By putting these supportive words right on baby, the message is there when Mom or Dad needs it most—reminding them that they are not alone. In addition to the supportive message, the onesies and accompanying resource postcard will provide education and resources about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and how to find virtual support during this unique time of COVID-19. Perhaps most of all: these onesies will show them they are not forgotten.
OK I'VE DONATED. HOW ELSE CAN I BEST SUPPORT PREGNANT PEOPLE OR NEW PARENTS RIGHT NOW? If you know someone who is pregnant and/or is a new (or struggling) parent, reach out. Ask them how they're feeling. Listen. If you live nearby and feel safe doing so, ask them if you can do a grocery or pharmacy run for them to leave on their doorstep. Send a video message to the new baby and the family about how you can't wait to meet them.
WHAT IF I WANT TO BUY ONE OF THE ONESIES FOR SOMEONE ELSE? The infant onesies we are sending to GBMC are available on our website www.joeyforroo.com.
WILL THESE ONESIES BE AVAILABLE FOR NEW PARENTS AT OTHER HOSPITALS AS WELL? I wish I could just send one of these onesies to every new parent across the country forever, but for lots of reasons, that's not possible. If you'd like to fundraise for onesies to deliver to new moms at a hospital near you, please message me! I can get you started as a team fundraiser and we can make that happen.
OUR NEW GOAL: Provide 100 infant onesies to new moms who are COVID-positive and symptomatic and separated from their babies at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
OUR ORIGINAL GOAL (ACHIEVED!): Provide 300 infant onesies to new moms delivering at Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC) and Mercy Hospital during COVID-19. Each onesie, designed with a message to support new parents, will be accompanied by a postcard with information about perinatal mental health resources available virtually. 100% of all funds raised will go towards printing the onesies (at-cost through Alpha Graphics) which will then be delivered directly, along with resource postcards, to new moms at GBMC and Mercy.
WHY? Having a baby is scary enough without having to do so during a global pandemic. COVID-19 is drastically changing our lives right now and one of the groups most impacted is new parents. About 3 out of 4 new mothers will experience the "baby blues." About 1 in 7 will experience postpartum depression. We can only imagine what an impact this additional uncertainty, intense isolation, and lack of support will have on those existing statistics. In addition to the anxiety of a major medical event during a time when most hospitals are at max capacity, parents will be bringing their new baby home without any of the usual support systems. No one to come stay with them and help them survive that first week. No one to come hold the baby while they take a shower. No one to come coo over those perfect little fingers and toes. No "mommy and me" support group to join. No one to come hold their hand while they cry about how hard this all is.
HOW WILL THESE ONESIES HELP? These onesies are a way to physically remind new parents of how strong and how loved they are. By putting these supportive words right on baby, the message is there when Mom or Dad needs it most—reminding them that they are not alone. In addition to the supportive message, the onesies and accompanying resource postcard will provide education and resources about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and how to find virtual support during this unique time of COVID-19. Perhaps most of all: these onesies will show them they are not forgotten.
OK I'VE DONATED. HOW ELSE CAN I BEST SUPPORT PREGNANT PEOPLE OR NEW PARENTS RIGHT NOW? If you know someone who is pregnant and/or is a new (or struggling) parent, reach out. Ask them how they're feeling. Listen. If you live nearby and feel safe doing so, ask them if you can do a grocery or pharmacy run for them to leave on their doorstep. Send a video message to the new baby and the family about how you can't wait to meet them.
WHAT IF I WANT TO BUY ONE OF THE ONESIES FOR SOMEONE ELSE? The infant onesies we are sending to GBMC are available on our website www.joeyforroo.com.
WILL THESE ONESIES BE AVAILABLE FOR NEW PARENTS AT OTHER HOSPITALS AS WELL? I wish I could just send one of these onesies to every new parent across the country forever, but for lots of reasons, that's not possible. If you'd like to fundraise for onesies to deliver to new moms at a hospital near you, please message me! I can get you started as a team fundraiser and we can make that happen.
Organizer
Allison Coleman
Organizer
Baltimore, MD
