Room To Grow in New York, NY 10010

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the Best Place for Family Community Service in New York City, Room To Grow's mission is to enrich the lives of babies born into poverty throughout their critical first three years of development. It provides parents in poverty with clothing, books, toys, and other essential items for their growing babies, and offers one-on-one parenting guidance and child-rearing information to ensure their child's healthy and secure start in life.

Every three months, from just before the birth of their baby until their child turns three, parents visit Room To Grow for a one-on-one appointment time to select all the essential items for their growing babies, free of charge. During their visits with a social worker, parents not only receive the material necessities for their babies, they also have the opportunity to discuss their parenting and child-care concerns. This includes helping parents understand their child's developmental process, how to recognize and respond to their child's needs, what to expect at each developmental stage, and how to cope with raising their child in typically stressful circumstances.

One of the ways you can help in the effort is by donating new or nearly new baby items. The most important thing is that the items be in truly excellent condition. Please donate only what you would feel good about having for your baby - nothing stained, teethed on, worn in appearance, missing parts, etc.

Room to Grow is always looking for volunteers who can help to inventory, sort, and prepare for display the many community donations of baby essentials. Please email or call for more information about volunteering.

You might also consider hosting a baby shower to collect needed baby essentials for Room To Grow families. Get together with friends, colleagues or others to raise money or to collect baby items to donate.