A Heart helps parents, babies in A.C.

By FELICIA COMPIAN, Staff Writer Oct 6, 2010 Updated Jun 19, 2019

KEITH CLACK, 34, OF ATLANTIC CITY, DIRECTED A QUESTION ABOUT INFANT HEALTH TO DR. PEGGY SOLOMON-BERGEN, OF NORTHFIELD, WHO IS A DOCTOR AT SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY FAMILY MEDICAL CENTERS, INC. IN ATLANTIC CITY. TO HIS LEFT WAS HIS WIFE, LOLA, 19, WHO IS PREGNANT. PRESS PHOTO BY STEFANIE CAMPOLO

Expectant parents received new diaper bags stuffed with baby needs along with free advice last week during a community baby shower hosted by A Heart Family Service Center.Inside Atlantic City's All Wars Memorial Building on Adriatic Avenue, rectangular tables were piled high with baby bottles, diapers, baby oil, formula and sandwich trays. In the center of the room, round tables were covered in blue and pink tablecloths and adorned with teddy bears, balloons and baby-themed confetti.

But this was no ordinary baby shower. Organizers were on a mission."We're here to raise awareness for infant mortality," A Heart President and CEO Robbin Bell told attendees. "Too many black and Hispanic infants are dying before their first birthday."

New Jersey State Health Assessment Data from the state Department of Health and Senior Services shows that black infants had a higher mortality rate than any other racial group in New Jersey from 2000 to 2005, the most recent year for which data was available. The highest rate in that period was 13.4 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2001 and the lowest was 10.8 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2004. Hispanic infants followed with a high of 6.1 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2002 and a low of 4.5 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2005.

Ron Cash, of the Atlantic City Health Department, said infant mortality is a critical measure of how healthy a population is overall. Atlantic County was among the three worst counties in the state for 2001-05, with a rate of 8.9 deaths per 1,000 live births from 2000 to 2005. Only Cumberland and Camden counties ranked lower, with 10.9 and 9.7 deaths per 1,000 live births, respectively.But Bell said mothers of every racial group have walked through her door needing help."

Babies are our future and we need to be of one heart and one accord to save these babies," Bell said, indicating the meaning behind the organization's name. "If we don't save them, who knows what the future will be? We can't just discard these children because their parents made a mistake. And they're not all black and Hispanic babies, but they're all beautiful babies in need of clean diapers and formula."

Bell said she founded A Heart almost two years ago to provide emergency assistance to needy mothers and babies. The organization conducts intake interviews in a donated space inside Cape Bank on Tennessee and Pacific avenues in Atlantic City on Tuesdays and Thursdays. But donations of new and gently used baby items can be dropped off during regular business hours six days per week. Monetary donations also are accepted by any teller inside the bank.

A shed at the Center for Unbroken Praise in the English Creek section of Egg Harbor Township serves as a boutique where needy mothers can shop. Open only to parents involved with the program, "boutique bucks" are awarded to parents for completing a parenting workshop or volunteering.

Bell said the boutique may provide desperate mothers an avenue besides shoplifting to provide for their children.

The organization recently received its 501(c)3 designation, but Bell said she avoids depending on state aid, to ensure that the group survives tough financial times. A Heart is funded through individual donations from the community.

How to help: A Heart is an independent, nonprofit organization with a twofold goal: to provide emergency assistance to needy infants, and to educate parents on proper care techniques.

It's easy to host a baby shower at your home, community center or house of worship. Invite friends and family, shop for baby-related items, then contact A Heart.

A Heart networks with other agencies such as Covenant House and Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies to bring speakers such as Atlantic City's first lady Nynell Langford and pediatricians to answer questions about neonatal care, nutrition and health.

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