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
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
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."
Katie Reitemeir and Jennifer Leach
Family Coordinators
Tamara Rosier
President
Claire Whitman
Vice-President
Marla Baldwin
Secretary
Marla Baldwin is the Community School Coordinator for D. A. Blodgett For Children which is housed at Gerald R. Ford Middle School. Marla has two sons, Jonathan and Kevin. She has a bachelors degree in 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. She has been a MomsBloom board member since 2008.
Christy Staskiewicz
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.
Kelly Wysocki-Emery
Board Trustee
Kelly is a registered nurse and board-certified lactation consultant working in a private practice in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is also the owner of baby beloved, inc located in the Grand Rapids Women's Health Center. She has two children and four step-children. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and an Associate Degree in Nursing. She was a postpartum doula before becoming a nurse. In her current line of work, she comes in contact with many new mothers who are struggling to adjust to the demands of their new role.
"I often come in contact with women who simply need another woman to help walk beside her as she traverses the new 'waters' of motherhood. I am convinced that women need to be with other women to help sort out this amazing, transformative time in their lives. MomsBloom fills that role incredibly well in our community."
Katie Reitemeir
Board Trustee
News/Updates
Nearly 1 in 5 families are affected by some form of PPD. You are not alone, you are not to blame, you will recover with proper help. Click to see the proclamation (PDF).
MomsBloom is awarded grant from Jenny's Light to support Flourishing Families program.
The mission of Jenny's Light is to improve and save lives by increasing awareness of all perinatal mood disorders, including postpartum depression.
616.828.1021 P / 616.588.5906 F
bloom@momsbloom.org
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