Basic Values, Kindness, Compassion, Love and Respect

"I remember a grandmother clutching her grandson in his swaddling clothes, not knowing where the baby's next meal would come from," said Garret Hondronastas, Communications Manager at Infant Crisis Services. He was reminiscing about the time when he helped another family in their time of need (Garret Interview). In Oklahoma, one in four children live in poverty which means they lack access to clean diapers and daily food, putting them at risk for developmental delay (English). The demand grows stronger each day, but Infant Crisis Services strives to reduce the number of children experiencing hunger.

How do we combat the need for food and diapers while encouraging parents to strive for better? Infant Crisis Services found a way to foster personal relationships with the community, offer help when required, and support those who aspire to succeed.

In 1984, Miki Farris, the co-founder of this organization, was in a Sunday school classroom with her peers. Having a newborn child, she remembers gazing out the window and contemplating all the mothers who could not provide for their babies. She then posed a question to the room, "What if we did something to assist parents who are in a crisis?" From that moment on, they began to promote love and compassion within the community, eventually leading to the establishment of Infant Crisis Services ("Infant Crisis"). Mrs. Farris initially thought that they would assist a few babies and be done with it, oblivious to the significant need. They helped about 500 babies out of that little Sunday school classroom, but they knew they needed to do more and so embarked on their journey (Garret Interview).

After moving from place to place, they finally settled into their new home in 2009, creating a more permanent impact on the community. Their mission is to ensure that "no baby goes hungry ("Infant Crisis")." Their services include providing a week's worth of baby formula, food, and diapers. Clients can also select six items of clothing from their store, and receive new baby bottles, a pack of wipes, socks, blankets, toys – virtually anything a child might need ("Infant Crisis"). Another service provided is 'Baby Mobiles.' These trucks travel to places far from the Oklahoma City building, offering supplies and similar services to those in need (Garret Interview).

Accessing help is straightforward. You can make an appointment or just walk in. As thirty-six percent of the families they assist speak Spanish, their frontline staff are required to be bilingual (Garret Interview). From newborn babies to four-year-olds, they are willing to help in any way possible. Since the service is only intended for crisis situations, parents are allowed a limit of five visits per child to prevent dependence on the service ("Infant Crisis").

Kay, a recently divorced mother of five, knew that she would need help during the cold months. With Christmas creeping closer, she was unsure how to provide for her children. She said, “I needed warm clothing and a coat for Tyson because, at the end of the day, there isn’t enough money to buy him those luxury items” (“Infant Crisis”). She called Infant Crisis Services and made an appointment. She was immediately welcomed with love and respect, knowing she was going to be able to make it through the holidays.

Infant Crisis Services is a privately-owned organization, which means they receive no help from the government and heavily rely on donors and volunteers. To raise money, they host two major events every year: Boots and Ballgowns, and Bingo Babies (Garret Interview). They also strive to make their name known and encourage people to donate money, new or gently used items, clothing, etc. Anything a baby may need, they will gladly receive. To care for the 1,200 babies coming in each month, they rely heavily on volunteers. They offer programs for summer volunteering positions, weekly positions, group projects, etc. As long as you follow their four core values; “kindness, compassion, love, and respect,” they would love to have you on their team (Garret Interview).

When interviewing another staff member, Amanda Howell, the outreach coordinator, you truly understand that the organization does not just stop at providing food and diapers. Howell stated, “My favorite part about working here is the strong relationships we create with clients” (Amanda Interview). Recalling a story, she said that she recently went to lunch with a former client who had been helped by the services. Both of these women have children just under one year old. Howell remembers thinking, “I am so happy I can help mothers who are in tough situations because it would be horrifying to not be able to provide for your child.” Their lunch continued, and they chatted about how the client was now doing much better than the previous months, receiving support from Howell and knowing she was not alone in the parenting world (Amanda Interview).

Due to their “five visits per child” rule, it eliminates the possibility of people taking advantage of the organization’s kindness. The staff wants to see parents rise above and create better environments for their children. Tonya Johnson, a single parent with a newborn, needed to get formula, diapers, and all the essentials but had no options. She went to Infant Crisis Services and was immediately welcomed (Brooks). She said, “You fall down on them tough times and you be like, ‘who do I go to?’” Visiting once helped her jump-start taking care of her child, knowing exactly what would be needed each month, and now she continues to provide for her child by herself on a regular basis (Brooks).

Infant Crisis Services has received many awards for their outstanding service, but the biggest one is a four-star rating on Charity Navigator for 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. This rating informs potential donors that their contributions will be utilized correctly and efficiently ("Infant Crisis"). This organization that started with modest beginnings, similar to a newborn baby, has matured into a remarkable community resource thanks to dedicated volunteers and a strong work ethic. Whether you are receiving services or volunteering, you can establish enduring bonds of love and kindness. My personal hope for the organization is that it continues to expand while retaining the values it has instilled in its staff and clients - kindness, compassion, love, and respect. With such an ideology in the world, anything is feasible.

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