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Adoption Agencies: More Than Just a Matchmaker for Parents, They Need Volunteers Too!
Across the nation, adoption agencies are on the lookout not only for loving parents but also for dedicated volunteers to step up as interim caregivers for newborns. While everyone loves a sweet little bundle of joy, many folks don’t realize there’s a critical role they can play in a newborn’s life through a volunteer position known as interim caregiving. This gig involves caring for infants while their birth mothers make the tough decision about adoption.
Recently, a New York agency, Loving Hearts, made headlines when they called for 5 to 10 families willing to undergo training to foster and care for infants in need. As reported by ABC News, this urgent request reflects a nationwide trend, as many assumed that interim care simply meant stopping by a hospital for some free baby cuddles. Spoiler alert: it’s a bit more involved than that!
While there are agencies looking for volunteers to interact with babies in nurseries, being an interim caregiver is about more than just snuggling. These caregivers provide around-the-clock, in-home care for newborns. To get started, one must pass a background check, complete training, and undergo home visits. Caregivers essentially become the primary providers for these infants while birth parents figure out their next steps. Agencies cover the costs of transportation, diapers, formula, car seats, and pediatrician visits, but it’s up to the caregivers to ensure that these little ones get a loving start in life.
As interim caregiver Maria Jones explained to ABC News, “My job is to make the baby feel safe and loved 24-7. I hold them, talk to them, sing to them, and we jam out to some tunes!” Even though her role is temporary, she finds immense joy in her work, stating, “I feel so good when I’m with an infant. I hope that it does … something for them too.”
According to James Miller, president of Loving Hearts, interim care not only benefits the babies but also their birth mothers. “When a woman is considering adoption, she’s often in crisis,” Miller noted. “Our program acts as a pressure release valve for them.” By ensuring that infants spend their early weeks in a nurturing environment, they provide essential support for both mother and child.
Statistics from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services indicate that around 108,000 children were waiting for adoption in 2014, and while not all of them were infants, it highlights the critical need for not only adoptive families but also volunteers who are willing to care for these children at every step of their journey. Interim caregivers are often the first loving hands these babies feel, and the world could always use more of that kindness.
If you’re interested in exploring the world of interim caregiving, check out the National Center on Adoption and Permanency. And if you’re looking for more information on home insemination, you might want to visit this blog post, which offers valuable insights, or discover expert advice at Make a Mom. For further reading, Kindbody provides excellent resources on pregnancy and home insemination.
In short, adoption agencies need more than just parents—they’re also in search of compassionate volunteers to help nurture newborns in their critical early days. If you feel called to make a difference, consider stepping into the role of an interim caregiver.