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May 21, 2004
Noah's Ark keeps babies safe
JWIC-BC project collects rear-facing infant car seats and other
items.
SARA CIACCI SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN
Noah's Ark, one of Jewish Women International of Canada, B.C. chapter's
important service projects, came about because of one person's caring.
In 1997, in appreciation for excellent medical care she received
at St. Paul's Hospital, JWIC-BC chapter member Isabelle Somekh approached
Dr. Lynn Simpson with an offer of help. She was referred to Lana
Needer, a social worker for the maternity centre of St. Paul's,
who said their biggest problem occurred when newborns were discharged.
B.C. law states that "All children, including infants, must
ride in special car seats when in a motor vehicle." Since taxis
are the only motor vehicles exempt from this law, the department
was forced to provide taxi vouchers when discharging patients unable
to afford the cost of an infant car seat, particularly the "working
poor" and immigrants. The lack of safety for the homebound
infant and the likelihood that the purchase of a car seat might
never be financially possible were real concerns for the staff.
"Noah's Ark" was born.
Somekh approached friends for their gently used rear-facing infant
car seats. From her basement, car seat plastic shells were cleaned,
disinfected and "detailed," padded linings repaired. These
"like new" baby seats were delivered to Needer's office.
When the pool of donor friends dried up, Somekh began canvassing
Kerrisdale mothers with babies in infant car seats, explaining the
project and asking them to consider donating the baby's car seat
when the infant outgrew it. As a reminder, business cards were given
to keep in the storage compartment of the baby carrier. As the variety
of donated car seats grew, manufacturers were contacted to obtain
seat belt clips to accommodate various automobile models. Manufacturer
and government recall lists were checked to assure the safety of
the refurbished car seats. Friends, who searched garage sales for
car seats, also purchased or donated other items.
Slowly, the "wish list" for the hospital grew to include
lightweight strollers, diapers, baby intercoms, snugglies, nursing
pads, small stuffed toys for babies, assorted baby toiletries and,
most importantly, infant and newborn clothing. To accommodate the
growing inventory of items, a small but versatile storage room was
set up in the old Comox Building at St. Paul's. The compact room
was stocked from floor to ceiling with a wide assortment of newborn,
infant and nursing mom's items, to be dispensed as needed by hospital
social workers to those in need of them, but who were unable to
afford them.
Realizing she could not continue to be solely responsible for the
fast-growing and much-needed project, Somekh approached JWIC-BC
about adding her program to their list of community service projects.
Noah's Ark was taken on entirely by JWIC-BC volunteers in November
2000 and became one of their many service projects. In addition,
the project has also become an official part of St. Paul's Hospital's
accreditation process.
In August 2002, the provision of rear-facing infant car seats was
offered to B.C. Women and Childrens Hospital's (BCWCH's) Safe Start
program. During 2003, hospital social workers distributed 25 new
rear-facing infant car seats. Of these, two were specialized car
seats, one for preemies and newborns being discharged from the intensive
care nursery and the other, a convertible infant/toddler seat for
the emergency department. All children being discharged from BCWCH
now experience a safer return home, even if they have arrived at
the hospital from more remote areas of British Columbia by plane
or helicopter.
Neighborhood pharmacies, grocery stores and general merchandise
stores are canvassed by JWIC-BC chapter members for baby-related
goods, giveaways, samples, etc. At garage sales, members ask the
vendors to consider calling JWIC for pickup of unsold rear-facing
infant car seats, baby toys or baby clothing at day's end. Arrangements
have been made with children's consignment stores to donate baby
wear at season's end.
Today, JWIC-BC chapter members raise funds to purchase specialized
infant car seats. Baby items are obtained by asking family, friends
and neighbors to donate their car seats and other newborn needs,
once their babies have outgrown them. JWIC-BC volunteers clean and
repair car seats, strollers or toys in their home; they knit or
crochet newborn items such as bonnets, sweaters, mitts and booties;
they wash stained articles, sew buttons and add ribbons; they stock,
sort and organize all the items stored in Noah's Ark. When possible,
needed items are purchased at discount sales.
The Noah's Ark project at St. Paul's and B.C. Women and Children's
hospitals, and JWI's Residential Treatment Centre for emotionally
disturbed youth in Jerusalem, will be the recipients of proceeds
from JWIC-BC's 14th Annual Rainbow Luncheon at the Richmond Country
Club on June 6. Honorees at this year's event are Gisella (Gisi)
Levitt and Lillian Boraks-Nemetz. For more information, contact
Somekh at 604-272-3432 or 604-838-5567.
Sara Ciacci is past president and domestic violence chair
of Jewish Women International Canada, B.C. chapter.
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