On March 21, 2024, CJFHC’s Pregnancy and Parenting Wellness program and Family Connects NJ attended an event hosted by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. at Mercer Street Friends. The Stork's Nest Pampers Giveaway was a celebration of motherhood, care, and community support. This initiative provides essential resources and encouragement for expecting mothers to prioritize prenatal and postpartum care.
Ninety-nine expectant mothers attended the event. Beyond the tangible gifts of diapers, food, clothing, and CJFHC lunch bags, the atmosphere radiated with warmth and solidarity. CJFHC nurses provided vital information about perinatal mood disorders, emotional well-being, and the Family Connects NJ home visitation program.
Prenatal and postpartum care play pivotal roles in ensuring the health and well-being of both mothers and their babies. Yet, for many women, accessing these services can be challenging due to various barriers. The Stork's Nest program, born out of a collective effort between Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., the March of Dimes, and local community agencies like the Central Jersey Family Health Consortium, seeks to address these challenges by incentivizing and supporting women in developing health behaviors during pregnancy and seeking prenatal care.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., known for its commitment to service and sisterhood, first launched the Stork’s Nest in 1971 in Atlanta, Georgia. The program was one of the many educational and service projects of Better Infant Births (BIB), a program sponsored by the Fulton-Dekalb Clayton chapter of the March of Dimes. The Stork’s Nest was so successful that Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. adopted it as it’s national project in 1972. The message of the Stork’s Nest transcends beyond mere charity; it is a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives in uplifting and transforming lives.
By collaborating with local agencies like the Central Jersey Family Health Consortium, the program fosters lasting connections within the community, builds trust, and strengthens the network of support available to mothers in need. The future is bright for this new partnership of CJFHC and Zeta Phi Beta and the mothers of Trenton.
