St. Bernard Parish at 500 Route 22 East, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 US - New Moms, New Expectations
|
New Moms, New Expectations |
New Moms, New Expectations, is a non profit, non-secretarian program which provides free, licensed child care, so that single mothers in need may continue their educations. It also provides the opportunity for moms to attend on-site training classes. Counseling, ranging from baby care to stress management, is also provided. This facility is located on our parish grounds, and is operated by Catholic Charities, under contract with New Moms, New Expectations, Inc. New Moms receives its funding through fund-raising events organized by the parish based, "Friends of New Moms" group, as well as through a share in the monthly Social Concerns Collection at St. Bernard. It also receives funds through corporate payroll deduction programs to the United Way (id#022005), corporate donations, personal contributions, and grants from foundations. A Brief History In 1994 a committee, to investigate the possibility of establishing a child care facility in the "white house" on the grounds of our parish, was formed. By 1995 there were five committees, with over fifty people working to make this child care center a reality.Their work included needs assesment, visits to different child care centers in New Jersey, investigation of building requirements for the renovation of the "white house", enlistment of volunteers, fundraising and much more. In 1996, New Moms was incorporated in the State of New Jersey. After much hard work and prayer, the doors of New Moms were opened in September of 2000. Starting with just two infants, enrollment was up to nine babies within the year. At a given time there are up to twelve single moms and their babies in the program. The success of the program has been phenomenal, with some moms pursuing the completion of their high school educations, others receiving their degrees at Raritan Valley Community College, and/or technical/vocational schools such as Katherine Gibbs. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission Statement Through the combined efforts of professional and volunteer programming, the mission of New Moms, New Expectations is to provide an opportunity for single parents in need to obtain the education necessary to support themselves and their babies.Our goal is to avoid or break the cycle of poverty. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please call the parish office for more information on this parish outreach program! (Return to News)