About Us
A HEART
Mission: Advocate, Educate and Support at risk infants and their caregivers by providing necessary infant items and information to enhance their quality of life.
Vision: Decrease the number of Infant mortality’s and homelessness in the United States. Decrease the number of African American and Native American children in Foster Care system.
Program Overview: A HEART was created to locate and support the families and or individuals who assume the awesome responsibility of caring for these special precious babies. Everyday within the United States, Hospital nurseries become the temporary “homes” of ever increasing numbers of babies who need not be there. Oftentimes, these babies are prevented from returning home due to abuse or drug addictions of their parents.
A HEART has several programs one being The Special Heart Boutique, this boutique was designed to be a hand up, not a hand out. It was designed in the Spirit of Excellence. Special Heart families have the opportunity to shop with a special gift certificate received from hospitals, clinics, CASA, DYFS, social service agencies, schools and community organizations. We obtain these items by hosting baby showers. These unique baby showers serve a dual purpose. Everyone brings an unwrapped infant gift to the community Hostess who donates all items to the boutique. We inform and educate all attendees on the crisis that are affecting the lives of so many American infants. We share current statistics and sad but true stories of infants in crisis. We inform them of a variety of ways that they can make a difference. They are encouraged to get involved by volunteering and learn more about agencies like A HEART and CASA ( Court Appointed Special Advocates). A HEART is also a partner with MatriArk a substance abuse rehab center for women with children. A HEART host baby showers for MatriArk women who have successfully completed the program and are starting a new life with their young children and can use a helping hand. AHEART’s main focus is to mentor and support teen mothers. Often these young girls find themselves homeless and in desperate need of daily support. Also gives young, lower income moms-to-be the benefits of support that was once available solely to middle and upper-class women who hired private doulas. A HEART will provide Doulas from the 7th month of pregnancy. The doula will continue to provide support until the baby is two to three months old. The expectant teens are also paired with an A HEART mentor, who works with them until they turn 21 years old or when their child turns 3 years old.
A HEART was initiated in response to court observations that revealed the sad cases of infants in need of permanent homes. Some babies were not developing or thriving normally in the hospital environment that they were “signed over to.” To help correct this problem, the Boarder Baby program Special Hearts Boutique was created, to locate, and support the families and or individuals who step up to care for these special babies. This program was led by Minister Robbin Bell, a former Case Supervisor of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Cumberland Gloucester and Salem Counties. She thought of how many babies were suffering from having the lack of a family connection.
