Open Arms Health Wellness & Healing

As a winner, we would begin our mission in providing holistic healing through mental health counseling, education, and therapeutic activities. Not only, would we be able to provide respite and a haven for healing for expecting and new mothers; but also provide education, awareness, support, and advocacy to foster strong community ties and values. We would give families access to the resources that will help overcome feelings of being overwhelmed, stressed, and anxious. We would create a community where mothers can receive support, resources, and education about Perinatal Mental Health and Postpartum care. The first six weeks after giving birth can be a time of uncertainty and very challenging. At Open Arms, we assist new mothers in transitioning into their new role as mothers without feeling alone, stressed, and overwhelmed. We want to give our new mothers additional time to recuperate, adjust, and gain the confidence they need as they heal and learn about their new baby. We want them to be prepared for life at home with their baby(s) after being discharged from the hospital. We plan to partner with hospitals corporations churches throughout the Central New Jersey area for families looking to utilize our services.

Open Arms Health Wellness & Healing, Inc is a faith-based non-profit organization that is looking to provide a multi-dimensional program for expecting mothers and new mothers to help them navigate the first six weeks after leaving the hospital. Our Residential Program is geared to help young women ages 13-32 who are pregnant and have no place to go, a safe space, where these mothers would have to worry about where they would sleep or find food for themselves and their unborn child. The residential program is voluntary, with future and generous donors, we would like to make this completely free of charge. Our goal is to provide holistic healing through maternal mental health counseling, awareness, healing. At Open Arms would provide screening for perinatal depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders; allowing us to make sure that screening is seamlessly connected to follow-up and treatment. Through the Open Arms Approach Residential Program, our goal is to provide a safe place where our residents can stay during and after their pregnancy. A place where these young women can decide on the next steps, discover the purpose for their lives, find stability, and seek assistance as they transition from singlehood to motherhood.

The problem we are trying to help is addressing the growing concern of Perinatal Moods and Anxiety Disorder in Mothers. This program would offer women would have access to mental health providers with expertise in the treatment of pregnant and postpartum women. Early and continuing risk assessment- Education and awareness can help to normalize and destigmatize perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Maternal Mental health interventions and follow-up- Small Group - mother-baby programs offer women the opportunity to engage with other expectant or new mothers which can further help to decrease social isolation, feelings of shame, and stigma. Women would benefit from peer support, psychoeducation, skills training. The intensive, supervised nature of these mother-baby programs may help to prevent more restrictive inpatient hospitalization and can also serve as a step-down program from inpatient hospitalization for women with more severe psychiatric illness. Prenatal planning & education & postnatal planning and assistance - Providing these services within or near existing prenatal clinics or obstetrical hospital settings can help to reduce geographic and logistical barriers to care.  

What makes our work innovative is that we are bringing more awareness about maternal mental health/perinatal mood anxiety and disorders to mother and their families and communities. The way we are doing it is by reaching out and educating the health care providers who are first to see mom after giving birth: the pediatricians, Obgyn, etc. Recommend that they become more engaged with mom & partner, identify any signs of postpartum, and conduct screenings.

The Open Arms Approach Residential Program helps young women ages 13-32 from across the United States. The residential program is voluntary, faith-based, and through our generous donors, it is completely free-of-charge. Our goal is to provide a safe place where our residents can stay during and after their pregnancy. A place where these young women can decide on the next steps, discover the purpose for their lives, find stability, and seek assistance as they transition from singlehood to motherhood. Many of the young women who will come to Open Arms face various circumstances impacting their ability to function in daily life. These young women have often been kicked out of their childhood homes, living on the streets, physically and mentally abused, or even raped. At Open Arms HWH, we will see each young woman’s potential and come alongside her to receive healing, support, and transformation.The Open Arms HWH Approach program is designed to support the whole person: mentally, physically and spiritually. We provide:

1. group counseling
2. education on PMADs (the signs and symptoms)  
3. Menus and meal plans approved by a Registered Dietician 
4. Partner with local business for employment
5. Provide Life Skill classes to prepare Residents for life after Open Arms.