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The Stork's Nest is a national program that was started by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and March of Dimes in 1972. Since 2003, the community-based program has been promoting healthy behaviors during pregnancy and infancy by providing both education and incentives in Boone County.
"It's to help mothers, new mothers or families to understand how important it is to start healthy behaviors when they're pregnant or when their children are young," said Stork's Nest Coordinator Teisea Kostner. "It creates building blocks to instill good behaviors throughout life."
The Stork's Nest program, which is intended for pregnant women or families with children up to 18 months of age, holds educational classes on the first Tuesday of each month from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the First Evangelical Free Church, located at 1407 Kate Shelley Dr.
During the educational sessions, discussion topics range from sudden infant death syndrome and shaken baby syndrome to maternal depression. Kostner said the requirements for program participants are quite simple.
"It's a free program and it is not income limited," Kostner said. "It doesn't matter how much you make, it just matters that you are either pregnant or have a child under 18 months and reside in Boone County."
Funded by the Boone County Empowerment Board, and grants from Boone County Foundation Offering Recreation and Community Enrichment, as well as donations from local retailers, charities, the Kiwanis Action Club and the Rotary Club the program enables participants to earn points when they exhibit healthy behaviors, such as prenatal care appointments, prenatal education classes, immunizations, local health and safety education classes and counseling services.
In exchange for earned points, participants can shop at the Stork's Nest store located at the First Evangelical Free Church for necessities for pregnant women or healthy children, including strollers, high chairs, cribs and mattresses, diapers, formula and baby monitors.
Kostner said most healthy behaviors are rewarded with 10 points. However, more points are offered for certification in infant or child cardiopulmonary resuscitation or receiving a General Educational Development degree. Healthy choices like quitting smoking are worth 100 points.
During pregnancy or young family life, Kostner said it is important for mothers to prevent themselves from isolation and understand that others have been through similar situations.
"It's a big thing knowing if you need help or if you have questions that there's more than likely other mothers who have experienced it too," Kostner said.
Community CARES, a program funded by the Boone County Empowerment Board, began three years ago in Boone County with the intent to provide a support environment for anyone who is coping with the everyday challenges of life.
"It's a chance to inspire and encourage people to succeed," said Community CARES Coordinator Karen Naumes.
The Community CARES program meets for an informal dinner on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.
On average, 40-60 participants attend the groups meetings for fellowship, interaction and to simply get acquainted with other adults who are facing similar obstacles, whether they are financial, physical or emotional difficulties.
The meetings are open to the public and provide updates on information regarding resources and outline several topics from frugal financial approaches to inexpensive activities for parents and their children.
"We get to know each other and build friendships," Naumes said. "It is open to the entire community. We have ministers that come, nurses that come, teachers that come and we have people who are just new to the community that are recovering from either divorces or the flood."
Whether it is in a "Community Leadership Team", a "Circle of Support" comprised of three to five people, everyone is treated as an equal when support is being offered.
"That's the nice part about it," Naumes said. "When you walk through the door you take off your hat. What your background is, it means nothing to us. It's just you're part of our community and we want to welcome you and embrace you."
During the support group meetings, participants share their wishes and dreams and help each other work towards them.
"We build friendships and it's based on confidentiality which is a big thing because people have to learn how to trust again when they've been hurt so bad," Naumes said.
Over a four-month period, participants help each other reach goals whether it is learning how to cook or even losing weight. During the meetings, free child care services are also provided.
"We're trying to build a community - the closeness of it - and give each other a chance and build friendships," Naumes said.
In addition, the program informs participants about free meals at the Open Bible Church and the Boone Biblical Memorial Church, which can provide meal options for families who are struggling financially.
Naumes said meetings also entail the "new" and the "good" of each participants' life.
"We start each meeting with new and good - where they have to tell us something new and good that's happened in their life," Naumes said. "At the end of the evening we appreciate the person sitting next to us because everyone needs to be appreciated."
Naumes said what she enjoys most about the program, is the equality that is shown for participants once they walk in the door.
"I enjoy watching people start feeling good about themselves again, start building friendships and start feeling alive again," Naumes said. "I like to watch the way people - because we have taken off our hats at the doors - they don't prejudge anybody, they just welcome them and want to help them and become friends with them."
For more information on the Stork's Nest and Community CARES programs, contact Kostner or Naumes at 432-3148 or by e-mail staff@boonecountycares.org.
