New program lets churches provide baby essentials to needy families

CareNet Pregnancy Services of DuPage has created the CareNet Cube, allowing area churches to consistently provide baby basics for families in CareNet's Bridges Parenting Program.

The Bridges program was started more than 15 years ago to support families in need during pregnancy and the early parenting years.

A single mother came to CareNet Pregnancy Services with questions and concerns. With a baby at home and another on the way, she was working part-time and had no insurance.

CareNet helped her find insurance coverage and a doctor, and connected her with the Bridges Parenting Program. The advent of the CareNet Cube allows area churches to help provide for the physical needs of families like hers with year-round collection of infant and toddler essentials.

Participants in the Bridges Parenting Program, now operated out of Oak Brook Community Church, receive parenting classes in English or Spanish, and are supplied with diapers, formula, baby clothes and other material needs.

Area churches are a critical part of the supply chain, allowing CareNet to keep Bridges stocked for the hundreds of DuPage County families who benefit from the program. The congregations donate supplies to CareNet and participate in special initiatives such as the annual September Diaper Derby. The new CareNet Cube facilitates this process by providing a ready drop-point for donors.

"People who want to help can drop supplies in their church's CareNet Cube anytime," said Beth Rockouski, director of communications at CareNet.

"Sometimes we send out a bulletin alerting churches to a specific need at Bridges. This will make it easier for churches and their members to respond."

For information about CareNet and the Bridges Parenting Program, visit carenetdupage.com.