Volunteers in "Mom to Mom"
Volunteers are accepted into the program if they are themselves mothers and have the motivation to devote 2 hours a week to a birthing mother over the course of a year. No other specific educational or professional background is required. Volunteers are screened in order to ensure that they have the proper social, emotional and teaching skills necessary for this type of outreach. Volunteers are accepted only completing the training course and making the commitment to volunteer over the course of a year.
All volunteers are trained in small groups and receive ongoing supervision from our professional staff members.
To date, we have trained nearly 200 volunteers. We are proud of the fact that 42% of the volunteers in "Mom to Mom" have continued with us to support mothers returning for second, third and fourth births.
The "Mom to Mom" program trains volunteers to help new mothers cope during the postpartum period, laying the foundation for healthy and nurturing family relations. The volunteers conduct home visits in order to provide ongoing support and to stave off problems such as postpartum depression, social isolation, and confusion about infant care.
Home visits of one to two hours are arranged on a weekly basis for a period up to one year, and are customized according to the needs of the mothers.
