MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Brigid’s Path needs baby items

Brigid’s Path welcomed its first baby in 2017 and is the first newborn recovery center in Ohio. CONTRIBUTED

Credit: Contributed

Credit: Contributed

Brigid’s Path welcomed its first baby in 2017 and is the first newborn recovery center in Ohio. CONTRIBUTED

Did you know that Brigid’s Path is the first newborn recovery center in Ohio and the second in the country to welcome families to a home-like environment where babies can get 24/7, one-on-one care from doctors and nurses trained to care for babies born substance-exposed? In addition, Brigid’s Path has a team of family advocates to help families get connected to the resources they need to move forward.

The statistics from 2022 show the organization had a busy year:

  • 57 babies received care, a 38 percent increase over 2021
  • 90 percent of babies went home with a parent, family members, or safe family after discharge
  • 77 percent of babies would have been placed directly into foster care without Brigid’s Path
  • 2 new programs launched:
  1. A Prenatal Program to engage with pregnant moms impacted by substance use disorder prior to delivering their baby provided 136 hours of education to expecting parents.
  2. An After-Care Program to continue helping families after they leave Brigid’s Path with safe and stable housing, daycare, job training, safe plans of care, education about their baby’s changing developmental stages, support group opportunities, and guidance through the court system.

Nice news!

On Dec. 29, 2017 Brigid’s Path welcomed its first baby, who is now a thriving, healthy, and energetic 5-year-old and quite the artist! Some of his artwork was featured in a live auction at a recent fundraising event celebrating Brigid’s Path 5-year anniversary.

At the same fundraising event, a mom who graduated from Brigid’s Path shared her story and said: “In December 2022, I’ll have 18 months of sobriety! I’m now an employee, a college student, and a certified peer recovery supporter. My daughter has a happy and healthy two-parent household where we continue to grow and do better each day.”

Brigid’s Path does not charge families for their stay or services but relies on donations from the community.

Brigid’s Path can use:

  • Hand soap
  • Sensitive skin lotion - Aveeno
  • Baby bottle brushes
  • Toilet paper
  • Mylicon Drops
  • Infant Tylenol
  • Brand new breast pumps/supplies
  • Burp cloths
  • 6-month and 9-month PJ’s with snaps
  • Copy paper

Donations can also be dropped off at Brigid’s Path located at 3601 S. Dixie Dr., Moraine, OH 45439.

Additional items can be found on a wish list at https://brigidspath.org/donate/. Ordering is easy and you can have items sent directly to Brigid’s Path.

Brigid’s Path, the state’s first crisis care nursery for drug-addicted newborns is set to begin treating infants by the end of October. Six babies a day were admitted to Ohio hospitals in 2015 for neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), a consequence of an escalating statewide opioid epidemic. CHRIS STEWART / STAFF

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Other Ways You Can Help

  • Brigid’s Path has a monthly giving program called Circle of Hope that makes it easy and affordable to support Brigid’s Path’s mission and programs throughout the year. To join the Circle of Hope and receive exclusive updates, visit bridgidspath.org and click on the the Contribute link.
  • One-time tax-deductible donations can be made at bridgidspath.org
  • Want to host a fundraiser? Make meals for families? Do a day of service? Ideas to support Brigid’s Path can be found on its website: brigidspath.org/getinvolved/.
  • Brigid’s Path is happy to announce the 12th annual “Kettering Mayor’s — Party with a Purpose” — which benefit the newborns and mothers in the care of Brigid’s Path. The event will take place from 6-10 p.m. at Reynolds and Reynolds Research Park Campus on Saturday, May 13 and will feature special entertainment by the Dueling Pianos. As more details become available, they will be posted online at brigidspath.org/events/.
  • If you know a mom who is pregnant or newly postpartum and struggling with substance use, Brigid’s Path can help. You can refer a family to Brigid’s Path by calling 937-350-1785 or online at brigidspath.org/referrals/.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Meredith Moss writes about Dayton-area nonprofit organizations and their specific needs. If your group has a wish list it would like to share with our readers, contact Meredith: meredith.moss@coxinc.com.

Please include a daytime phone number and a photo that reflects your group’s mission.

Brigid’s Path is the first newborn recovery center in Ohio.

Credit: Contributed

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Credit: Contributed

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