The best start in life – that’s our jam.
Babies require so much of their parents and caregivers. The stress parents feel if they are unable to provide the essential items for their child to thrive is extraordinary.
As the Senior Operations & Networks Manager at St Kilda Mums, Geelong Mums and Eureka Mums, I lead a team of fabulous staff who ensure our charity rehomes essentials to give kids the best start in life. The first 2000 days of a child’s life shapes a child's future and we are committed to sharing resources with families who need our support.
I want to share with you a story about a mum who recently arrived from Afghanistan with her 12 month old without any belongings. Not only was she learning how to navigate an Australian life, she was ensuring her child had access to the health services she needed. The solution lay in a re-homed pram from us. This pram provided the perfect tool for her to learn public transport, sit in waiting rooms and shop for food with her child. Her everyday experience was mirrored back to her with other parents with their child in their pram living the same experiences. A feeling of inclusion lay at the heart of the gift of this pram.
All of the families we support are linked to an agency or support service such as a maternal child health nurse and we take great pride in complementing their programs that place the child at the centre of their approach. These professionals are skilled advocates and value our service enormously.
Over recent years, Melbourne has become home for many refugees and asylum seekers who arrive with nothing. AMES, Dandenong City Council, Spectrum, South East Links, IPC are all agencies who collectively have supported hundreds of new families arriving into Melbourne and regional Victoria.
Last year, 4,579 newly arrived children were supported by St Kilda Mums, Geelong Mums and Eureka Mums. Many of these orders included 10 or more items and would cost $800 - $1200 to purchase as new for these families. Things like nappies, wipes, bottles, a safe place to sleep, warm clothes, bed linen, car seats, books, toys and prams are all provided along with the gamechanger – the pram.
And it was all thanks to people like you. Your ongoing support is so important. Whether you donate goods, donate money or donate your time to volunteer, your generosity means we can continue to help give babies the best start in life.
From us all at St Kilda, Geelong and Eureka Mums, thank you so much for your incredible support.
Warm regards,
Tamara Maddrell
Senior Outbound Operations & Networks Manager