irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $28KBABY ITEMS: PARENTS WHO ARE IN NEED OF SAFE SLEEPING (PACK N PLAY) AND TRAVEL (CAR SEAT) ESSENTIALS ARE PROVIDED WITH THEM. THEY ALSO RECEIVE BABY ITEMS AND ACCESSORIES SUCH AS GENTLY USED CLOTHING, BLANKETS, HATS, SOCKS, SHOES, CHAIRS, SWINGS, NURSING ESSENTIALS, BOTTLES, AND MORE. DURING 2021, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED $6,000 WORTH OF BABY CLOTHING AND GENTLY USES BABY ITEMS AND OVER $12,000 WORTH OF CAR SEATS AND PACK N PLAYS.
named programs · 1 · from sources
What they call their work
Baby Items Distribution
Provides parents in need with safe sleeping essentials (pack n plays), car seats, gently used clothing, blankets, hats, socks, shoes, chairs, swings, nursing supplies, bottles, and other baby accessories.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Diaper and Baby Supply Distribution 5 activities
- Distributes infant essentials and baby items to membersProvides infant essentials including diapers, clothing, feeding supplies, and baby furniture through the Pregnancy Club, Home Visiting Program, and trimester-based giveaways; also distributes Pack n Plays and car seats to members who meet participation requirements or through application processes.
- Distribution of baby items to parents in needDistributes essential baby items such as Pack 'n Plays, car seats, clothing, blankets, hats, socks, shoes, chairs, swings, nursing essentials, and bottles to parents in need.
- Operates donation drop-off programs for baby and maternity itemsRuns donation drop-off sites at Schenectady City Mission Distribution Center, Trinity Place Center in Albany, and Fidelis Care in Utica, accepting baby furniture, clothing (newborn to size 3T), maternity clothes, toys, toiletries, feeding supplies, and postpartum care products during weekday hours.
- Operates self-serve access to baby items through the Baby Item NetworkRuns a network of satellite locations hosted within community organizations where members can access baby clothing, accessories, toiletries, diapers, and seasonal clothing without appointments. Members receive monthly access to diapers and seasonal clothing through this program.
- Provides borrowing of baby furniture through the Baby Item LibraryOperates a Baby Item Library in Albany, NY, allowing members to borrow up to four donated baby furniture items for six months, with extensions available after cleaning, inspection, and recall checks.
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Parenting Support for At-Risk Families 2 activities
- Delivers home visiting services for high-risk familiesProvides personalized, intensive case management and home visiting services through Community Health Workers to families in Schenectady experiencing high-risk circumstances such as homelessness, substance use, and mental health challenges, including pregnancy and postpartum education, goal setting, system navigation, and referrals.
- Serves pregnant women and parents facing socioeconomic and health challengesProvides services to pregnant women and parents in Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Oneida, and Montgomery Counties who are experiencing challenges such as homelessness, low income, mental health issues, or lack of support.
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Parenting Education and Support Programs 2 activities
- Hosts educational and support groups on parenting topicsOffers recurring group events such as Baby Feeding Basics, Mom Table Talk, Labor & Delivery with Bellevue, and Grow With Us, which include guidance on breastfeeding, bottle feeding, introducing solids, and child development, along with access to a Certified Lactation Counselor.
- Provides emotional and practical parenting support via Parent Hotline and in-person appointmentsOperates a Parent Hotline offering emotional support and problem-solving assistance during scheduled hours on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, and also provides in-person parenting support services at a Schenectady office.
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Perinatal Support Services 2 activities
- Operates Pregnancy Club for peer support and resource navigationRuns a centralized Pregnancy Club that offers a supportive environment for pregnant individuals to ask questions, connect with others, build friendships, and receive one-on-one support for navigating resources and medical appointments.
- Provides one-on-one birth planning and parenting supportOffers individualized support to members including birth planning, resource navigation, and assistance with medical appointments, particularly within the Pregnancy Club and home visiting programs.
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Community Event-Based Giving Programs 1 activity
- Hosts Community Baby Showers and other peer gatherings with supplies and learning opportunitiesOrganizes Community Baby Showers, Holiday Parties, and Weekly Peer Groups as in-person events for families in the capital region, offering free supplies, food, educational components, and community building.
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Non-Emergency Medical & Essential Transportation 1 activity
- Provides transportation and virtual access options for eventsOffers transportation assistance and virtual participation options to increase accessibility for individuals attending group events and programs.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Offers immediate access to programs upon membership enrollmentEnables members to begin accessing services and programs immediately after enrolling, ensuring timely support for pregnant individuals and parents.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$235K
Contributions & grants$235K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$232K
Program expenses84%
Admin / overhead12%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$139K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$39K
Cash$34K
Investments$0
Liabilities$65K
Net assets$-26K
Liquid reserves1.8 mo
3 years on record · 2022–2024 · YoY revenue +3.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KYLA SCHMIDT | FORMER VICE CHAIR/EXECUTIV | 40 | $77K |
board members · 8
- ALISSA BALLARD — BOARD MEMBER
- ANGELICA DE LA CRUZ — BOARD MEMBER
- ANNIE FINN — BOARD MEMBER
- JENNIGER MASSEY — BOARD MEMBER
- LAURIE BALLARD — CHAIR
- MAUREEN NICHOLSON — SECRETARY/TREASURER
- VICTORIA HOSTIG — VICE CHAIR
- YOLANDA KIRBY — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 15
Who they work with
- Bellevue Partner — Collaborates on Labor & Delivery education events for pregnant individuals.
- CharityTracker Partner — Platform used for membership registration and access to Baby Item Network Sites.
- Cognito Forms Partner — Uses Cognito Forms for transportation request submissions.
- Fidelis Care Partner — Hosts donation drop-off services for Mom Starts Here in Utica, NY.
- Hometown Health Center Partner — Hosts Maternal Care Community Health Worker Damaris Daniels on-site.
- Junior League of Albany Partner — Board member Kendall developed connection to Mom Starts Here through service with Junior League of Albany.
- MVP Health Care Partner — Collaborates through shared staff involvement in community partnerships and field marketing.
- Schenectady City Mission Distribution Center Partner — Hosts donation drop-off services for Mom Starts Here in Rotterdam, NY.
- Trinity Alliance Partner — Hosts the Mom Starts Here Baby Item Library and co-hosts Community Baby Showers.
- Trinity Alliance Partner — Partner organization co-operating the Albany Baby Item Library with Mom Starts Here.
- Trinity Place Center Partner — Hosts donation drop-off services for Mom Starts Here in Albany, NY.
- United Way of the Greater Capital Region Partner — Shares leadership connection through board member Yolanda Kirby, who works with United Way’s Community Impact team.
- YWCA Northeastern New York Partner — Shares leadership connection through board member Lauren, who serves as Chief Development Officer at YWCA NENY.
- community organization Partner — Collaborates with community organizations to participate in Community Baby Showers.
- vendor serving capital region families Partner — Partners with vendors to serve families at Community Baby Showers.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Centralized, Integrated Support Networkmethodology: integrated_service_modelBy centralizing maternal support services and integrating community partners at co-located events like Community Baby Showers, we increase access and coordination, because reducing fragmentation improves service uptake and strengthens community-based care ecosystems.
- Client-Choice Model with Dignity-Based Accessmethodology: client_choice_modelBy allowing self-serve access to baby items and removing prerequisites beyond Medicaid eligibility, we increase participation and reduce stigma, because treating clients with dignity and autonomy builds trust and engagement.
- Community Health Worker Home Visiting Modelmethodology: community_health_worker_modelBy deploying maternal care community health workers to deliver home-based, relationship-centered support, we improve maternal readiness and family stability, because sustained, trusting relationships enable deeper engagement and holistic problem-solving during high-risk periods.
- Peer and Lived Experience Integrationmethodology: peer_powered_learningBy incorporating peer support and advancing individuals with lived experience into staff and leadership roles, we build authentic community connection and model resilience, because shared experience fosters trust, reduces isolation, and strengthens program relevance.