Heart Well Homestead awarded $25K grant

PLATTSBURGH | A vision to establish a home for unhoused pregnant women and new moms with babies is coming into focus as Heart Well Homestead was awarded $25,000 from the George and Shirley Moore Foundation to help make the effort a reality. GRANT AWARD The financial gift was welcomed April 17 by retired nurse Janice Tobin, who co-founded Heart Well Homestead with Gloria Garami, BScN, IBCLC. Both worked as nurses for years in public health settings, encountering the difficult struggles of pregnant or newly postpartum women placed in hotel rooms, unable to find or afford suitable housing for their new, small families. They warmly welcomed the first major donation, saying "Opening the doors to Heart Well Homestead will be made possible thanks to donations like this" as they applauded the Moore family and Keeseville-based foundation. FUNDRAISING CONTINUES Tobin said their goal is to purchase a house in the city that will provide a family setting to help new and expectant mothers get a fresh start. Their efforts are now underway with a goal to reach the first $100,000 for initial operating costs by June. Meantime, the co-founders and their board are working to develop successful transition programs for women and their infants. "We are at the point right now of fundraising, networking and program planning with agencies in the area," Tobin said in a recent interview with The Sun. "We are on the advisory board at Healthy Families of Northern New York, which is part of BHSN." Heart Well Homestead won't include addiction rehabilitation among services provided. "Our goal is to create a center, a home, for them to heal, to grow and to dream with 24/7 support for the many challenges that new mothers face before and after pregnancy. Our program would be available for moms for 24 months." FAMILY SETTING Heart Well services are being designed around nutrition, breastfeeding support, education, parenting skills and budgeting and financial planning. "We want to provide a residence for women to live in that offers a highly functioning family setting," Tobin said. "We plan to work with Cornell Cooperative Extension, which provides home visits for nutrition lessons, meal planning and cooking, and budgeting for food, among other resources. "We'd like to have a dedicated room for the children as a daycare provided free to the moms. This would allow the women to go to school, go to work, and go to appointments. Support for education, literacy and budget planning would help them learn to save. We want them to be lifted out of that feeling of survival to thriving." The business model looks to hire five direct care managers, women to staff the homestead in shifts. Heart Well estimates suggest an annual revenue need of about $330,000, Tobin said, in addition to mortgage costs. Housing and support would be provided at no cost to the women. To begin, they anticipate openings for three mothers with children, expanding from that point forward as programs get underway. There is no service in this region designed with resources especially developed for housing pregnant and postpartum mothers. Housing sourced via the Maternity Housing Coalition, which screens for existing medical and mental health conditions, drug use and criminal background, show the nearest location is 100 miles away. Establishing a home for new mothers in Clinton County would add an important community resource here, Heart Well's co-founder said. "We prefer being right in the city limits; that's where we're focusing with our search," Tobin said of the ongoing work to find a property. Tobin said she and Garami visited several existing homes for new mothers, one in Canada, one in Syracuse and another in Rochester. They were particularly struck by the compassion and organization at the Margaret Home in East Rochester. "The Margaret Home, has been very encouraging and supportive of our effort," Tobin said. "We really underline the idea of having programs for new mothers, opportunities designed to help them move forward successfully." Addressing homelessness for the vulnerable population of mothers and babies is a focus they hope the region would welcome. And building familial relationships through Heart Well, Tobin said, could have enduring benefits for families and for community. "The story behind Heart Well Homestead is not just about bricks and mortar; it's about compassion, collaboration, and the persistent pursuit of a better future for those in need," founders said of their goals. "Heart Well Homestead stands as a testament to the transformative power of individuals determined to make a positive impact on their community." The organization incorporated in January 2023 with 501c3 nonprofit status. Anyone can support ongoing fundraising via the organization's website. FIND OUT MORE There are two major fundraisers planned for this summer. The Heart Well Homestead Golf Tournament is slated for Friday, Aug. 23 at The Barracks Golf Course. To register online: heartwellhomestead.org/#events or via email: HeartWellHomestead@gmail.com And a Heart Well Homestead 5K Run/Walk will be held on Sept. 7 Find out more: heartwellhomestead.org Or follow progress via their Facebook page: Heart Well Homestead

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Heart Well Homestead awarded $25K grant

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