MomsBloom Is...

The mission of MomsBloom is to provide physical and emotional support for families in the childbearing years and to create a sense of community through education and mentorship regardless of race, income or family type.

Sara Binkley-Tow
Board President / Executive Director
Sara is one of the founding mothers of MomsBloom. Her passion to help families began when she suffered with postpartum depression after her daughter was born. Besides having her supportive husband, she lacked the support she needed and struggled daily. She also was disheartened by the competition amongst other moms and saddened by the massive parental guilt that exists within moms today. She lives with her husband, Jeff, and two children in Belmont.

Sara is a certified postpartum doula through DONA International. She has a master's degree in Family Studies, is a Certified Infant Massage Instructor and a Happiest Baby Educator. She teaches classes in the Grand Rapids area.

"MomsBloom is about bringing a community together to provide a much needed support for moms (and dads). MomsBloom is working to de-stigmatize the notion that asking for help makes you less of a person. We all need help at all stages of our life, there's no greater time than after the birth of a baby. A happy mom, makes a happy family, a happy family, makes a happy community!"

Angie Walters
Secretary / Volunteer Coordinator
Angie is a founding member and secretary on the MomsBloom board. She has  been working with families since the beginning her career as an elementary school teacher, but it wasn't until she had her own children that she discovered the importance of supporting families from the minute they enter parenthood. The birth of each of her sons brought much joy. However, being a new stay-at-home mom and having her family far away left her also feeling isolated and overwhelmed. A support group for moms showed Angie the power of moms helping moms. Fellow mothers cheered Angie on, lifted her up, and helped her be able to navigate the waters of parenthood with more ease. Angie has completed her  postpartum doula certification (PCD-DONA) and she is looking forward to helping families make a smooth transition into parenthood and be more able to enjoy this fleeting and amazing time with their newborn.

"In a world when women are often pitted against each other based on their choices in life, it is refreshing and heartening to see women supporting other women. The connections women make through MomsBloom may last a lifetime."

Corie Rectenwald
Family Coordinator
Corie has a Bachelors Degree in Community Health and has always had a passion for helping people. She was especially grateful for the help she received from friends and family after the birth of their first child and is inspired by the mission of Momsbloom and the wonderful support the program can offer to families with new babies.

“Having a baby brings about a whole new sense of responsibility and can be overwhelming at times, thanks goodness there are other moms out there who have been through it all and are willing to help new families through the joys and challenges of parenthood.”

Valerie Williams
Committee Member

Marla Baldwin
Board Member
Marla Baldwin currently works at Gerald R. Ford Middle School as a Library Media Specialist. Marla has two sons' 20 year old Jonathan and 17 year old Kevin . She has a bachelors degree Human Services and is in the process of earning her Masters Degree in Education at Grand Valley State University. She enjoys singing, swimming, and reading.

Christy Staskiewicz
Board Treasurer
Christy is a graduate of GVSU with a degree in Health Science with an emphasis in Public Administration. She has been married to her husband, Mike, for over 11 years. After the birth of their first daughter she left the Health Care industry to stay home. They now have 5 children and she home schools the oldest 3. She realizes the importance of having a good support system as a family grows which is what brought her to MomBloom.

Sara Groll
Executive Assistant
Sara is a graduate of Grand Valley State University with a degree in Public and Non-Profit Administration. She has been a part of the MomsBloom team since December 2008 and has loved every minute. She has a passion for serving others and is inspired by the mission of MomsBloom. She believes MomsBloom is an organization that is positively impacting our community and she is excited to be a part of this. She and her husband reside in Grand Rapids, MI.

"I have yet to become a mother, but I am so thankful that there is an organization that is focused on helping with the struggles and joys of new parenthood! How awesome it is that there is support for moms and dads experiencing the blessing of having a family."

News/Updates

616.828.1021 P / 616.588.5906 F
bloom@momsbloom.org

© Copyright 2007-2010 MomsBloom, Inc. Site by Jeff Tow Creative.