At Healthy Baby Network, we offer a number of programs to help improve the well-being of current and expecting parents and their children. These are just a few of their success stories.
Would you like to learn more about the programs offered? Check out more on the What We Do page and For Parents page.
“[My wife, Sarah] has taught me how to be a better man and father. I’m glad our children have both father and mother to teach them and support them.”
“Sarah challenges me to be a better husband and father.”
“I had a bad past and I’m a recovering addict. I am very proud of my family and my wife. Sarah has shared a lot of information with me on how to be there for our family. She’s shared about the importance of being a role model for my children, having a positive relationship with my spouse, and that fathers are very important in the lives of their children.”
“[My parents] gave me life, knowledge, wisdom, taught me to be a better man, and to take care of my children and my spouse.”
—Michael
“I found love, support, my inner beauty, and safety through my work with Healthy Moms and Healthy Baby Network. I see these programs as family. They taught me a lot, such as advocating for myself and knowing that my input always matters. I feel confident moving forward and excited for what the future holds.”
“Some of the ways I have overcome my barriers have been through therapy in learning about my triggers and accepting the past and the people in my life for who they are. I am leading my kids by example and showing them the importance of giving back to our community.”
-Candace
“I had just found out I was pregnant and I was sitting at the bus stop – I was homeless, no job, and I did not know how I was going to take care of myself. I had to go to a shelter, pregnant. And all I could do was pray to God and pray to God and pray to God.”
“I was sitting at the bus stop, I saw the ad [for Healthy Baby Network] and I decided to call. It led me to Yolanda [an outreach coordinator]. When I say she did everything and anything to help me succeed in life it’s because she had faith in me. I had no faith.”
“I’m just taking care of little Alijah, and being the best mother I can be. I’m a pre-k assistant teacher at Volunteers of America and I’m going to school. I graduate in December from REOC [Rochester Educational Opportunity Center] with my child development associate credentials to become a lead teacher at the daycare center. After five years, I have two full-time jobs and I am not on any government services and it feels good.”
– Anitra
“There are so many ways that Healthy Moms has made a difference in my life. I think it all started with the Community Action Network. When I first started going to the Community Action Network, it was very informative. I learned a lot about stuff I didn’t know, and it made me want to seek out more to help other moms. Outreach helped a lot, too.”
“My children inspire me to remain resilient; their well-being, making sure they have everything they need. And my sanity! But it’s just the way I am – my kids come first. If there’s something I need, I don’t get it unless they have everything they need first.”
“My vision for the community is to see more people helping each other, volunteering their time. People cleaning up the community, and taking care of the kids as a whole. Not just “mine, mine,” you know? If we can’t have world peace, can we have community peace? You’ve got to start small and build.”
– Tasheka
“My parenting journey started off a little rough. I was just a new dad who wanted to be in my daughter’s life. But as a first-time father I was thrown into a whirlwind, including family court and a lot of systemic barriers to get through…it seemed like I was guilty until proven innocent.
I was just excited – like so many other first time parents. But those barriers…they slowed everything down. I saw a lot of dads who just wanted to be dads, but the system is making that really hard.
My experience with the 24/7 Dad group made a very big difference in my life. Being in the 24/7 Dad group, meeting all the fathers, hearing their stories and getting tips from them was very helpful. I learned a lot and I met a lot of knowledgeable people.
I missed a lot of parenting milestones, and I had to look within myself and find that strength to move forward and be positive. Now I’m here, with my daughter, Kalani. And that’s what it’s all about.”
– Michael
“I am a first time father and my daughter will be a year old next month. For a few months, I was in the process of trying to figure out my next steps with possibly co-parenting. Through support of Healthy Baby Network, I met JaMone. He supported me as a big brother.
I was looking for parenting classes for men. Healthy Baby Network, at the time, did not offer classes but offered to provide clothes, diapers, a car seat, and other essential baby items. Healthy Network also provided me with outside resources and contacts. I was able to network with other support groups and get detailed information.
JaMone attentively listened to my situation and checked up on me regularly. He was real supportive through everything. I have now reconciled with my fiancé. We are back together, raising our daughter.”
– Brandon
