“There is no better feeling than the movement of life inside you”
— Author: Every Pregnant Mom

Intercultural’s Healthy Start Program seeks to engage pregnant and/or parenting women (particularly women in their first trimester of their pregnancy) and provide an array of health and social services including case management/home visiting, depression screening, and optimal child health and development. The program is an effective, community-based approach to fighting infant mortality and low birth-weight babies through case management and outreach programs targeting pregnant and parenting women. The program has promoted positive parent-child relationships; supported growth and development of the children by building trust; taught parents to identify strengths and learn problem-solving skills; and improved the family’s support system through linkages and appropriate referrals to community resources.  In recent years, providing clothing, supplies, diapers and holiday assistance have also been made possible for those requiring assistance.

According to Cassandra Rogers, LCSW, Director of Family Empowerment and Education Initiatives at Intercultural, Healthy Start Program creates a lasting foundation for the well-being of both mother and child.  Cassandra leads Intercultural’s Healthy Start program and is also otherwise known as the resident champion.  She works diligently with the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health, Division of Maternal, Child and Family Health(DMCFH) to ensure that the impact of these services and awareness to these important support is known and available.  Cassandra explains that, “without the commitment and funding from DMCFH we cannot optimize the support to our pregnant and parenting moms”.

To further understand the impact of Healthy Start, we reached out to one of Intercultural’s Healthy Start employee and advocate.  Tamara Shirer, Healthy Start Case Manager for Intercultural has been working in the social services arena for over fifteen (15) years, specializing in children and families.  She explains that the work she does with pregnant or parenting women is exceptionally rewarding because each participant joins the program voluntarily.   “Every mother/mother –to –be that comes to Intercultural’s Healthy Start Program takes the initiative on her own.  The program works very well because the participant is self- motivated and committed to making this work. Ideally, a parenting women and her child stays in the program for two years.  Seventy-five (75%) percent of our participants continue in the program after initial contact, and over fifty (50%) percent of all participants stay the full two years.  More than these statistics, seeing the bond being the mother and her child,  as well as the strength and growth in the family unit, is incredibly uplifting.   I never tire of my partnership with the incredible moms I have been fortunate to support.  I am lucky to be part of this start.”

Tamara shared many stories of wonderful moms in the Healthy Start Program and it’s very evident that she is passionate about her work.   One story in particular, is the subject of this article’s “Ode to Mom”.

Her name is Kiersten Adams.  She is 26 years old, a first time mom. She lives in West Philadelphia with her grandmother.  She’s live in West Philly all her life.   Her sweet,  sweet child’s name is Cleo Marie Adams Ford, and she turns two years July 2018. Kiersten came to Intercultural almost two years ago, when she was 8 months pregnant. Kiersten is a burst of energy and determination.  On a scale of 1 to 10, she is 11.   She changes the scale!   Kiersten has stayed in the Intercultural Healthy Start Program focusing on providing Cleo the best positive care, involves herself in other events and activities to promote healthy start and partners with her case manager and other Intercultural resources to leverage the most positive outcomes.   Kiersten continues to breastfeed Cleo even now.  Working with her case manager and additional resources at Intercultural, she learned to breastfeed properly, and she embraced the full benefits of breastfeeding her child. As her experience, confidence and commitment to Healthy Start grew, it took a passion on its own.   Kiersten studied with the Maternal Care Coalition to become a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor.  “My ultimate goal is to become a doula.  I love the idea of helping and supporting women through all the stages of preparing and being a new mom”.  She is easily accessible and loves to support and coach other moms.  She is an active consultant for Philadelphia Birthing Programs, as she is a true advocate for natural childbirth.

Kiersten graduated from University of North Carolina with a Bachelors in Musical Theater. In addition to working at a library, supporting other moms, she is a member of the Improv Troupe with White Pines Productions.  “I enjoy performing because it allows me the chance to step outside of myself or, sometime, to explore a deeper part of myself that I was not in touch with.”

Kiersten explains that she is a complex individual, highly motivated and able to do a lot of meaningful endeavors.  She believes that all these are an extension of the “fire in her belly” that awoken when she added “mom” to her identity.   Cleo is truly the most precious gift she is given.   Each and every day she is provided a freshness of heart and spirit just by being a part of Cleo’s wonderful world.  Kiersten feels that helping other moms is truly just a way of expressing her joy and gratitude.

Curious as to where she sees herself in five years, Kiersten shares, “I see myself spending all of my available time with my family, being a perfect model of staying true to yourself and attracting what I deserve in life through persistence and positivity. I will still be running my business and helping others and I will be continuing to expand my career in the arts.” 

When asks about Intercultural, Kiersten acknowledges that it’s been a real blessing.  “I love the people at Intercultural and they do not hesitate to show love right back. I am so grateful for them. My life would not be the same without them. The people at Intercultural are their most valuable resource. I have gotten Books, toys, clothes, and boundless access to information through their programs but the best thing I was given would have to be the relationships and the friendships that I would not have found otherwise.”

Anna and Nicholas Fiocca own a home in South Philadelphia and had always been able to afford their mortgage payments. Anna’s job of 30 years plus Nicholas’ monthly social security covered most of the couple’s expenses. When Anna was laid off, the Fioccas financial situation changed abruptly and they were soon unable to pay their mortgage.

Anna was unable to find other work despite her daily efforts, and the small pension she received from her former employer was not enough to cover the couple’s monthly housing expenses.

When they came to Intercultural for assistance, the Fioccas met with housing counselor Mary Campbell, who guided them through the foreclosure prevention and loan modification process. Ms. Campbell helped them complete a “Making Homes Affordable” package, which they then submitted to the mortgage company for approval. The Fioccas were approved for a loan modification which reduced their monthly mortgage payments by $400+ per month and substantially lowered their interest rate.

With a steady job as a unit secretary in a hospital emergency room, and a roommate to help pay the rent, Gwen Smith did not think she would have to worry about meeting her monthly rent payments. However, when her roommate moved out, the 3 bedroom unit she lived in with her 15-year old daughter became too much for her to handle, and she fell behind in her rent. Gwen soon faced eviction, and had to seek help. She was referred to the ?Homelessness Prevention Program or Housing Counseling Program (HCP)? at Intercultural, and was assigned a housing case manager who determined her eligibility for rental assistance. Gwen’s application was processed quickly, and she received the support she needed to stay in her home.

For now, Gwen is managing, and working hard to make ends meet. One day, she would like to own her own home, and has enrolled in one of Intercultural’s First Time Homebuyer Workshops to learn how she can improve her financial situation for a future home purchase. Commenting on the assistance she received, Gwen remains grateful and stated “it was a blessing, and kept me from being evicted”. To others she offers this advice “Don’t get discouraged, there are things you can do for yourself, and organizations (like Intercultural) to help you”.

We all understand expected and unexpected life events that come our way. In May 2010, a young woman, 17 years old named Courtni Matthews was completing her junior year in high school when she discovered she was expecting a child. Courtni has two sisters that have completed college and a devoted mother, who unfortunately was battling a serious medical condition. The financial preparation for Courtni’s college education had to be put on permanent hold. In February 2011, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy.

After completing high school, Courtni struggled as a new single mother to balance her desire to be a great parent with her dreams to finish higher education. In July 2012, via a referral by a family friend, Courtni enrolled in the Enhancing Parenting Skills Program (EPSP) with Intercultural. It offered a village of supporters. Those in her network of parents with similar struggles provided a way for sharing; Intercultural counselors guided through counseling and teaching life skills; community partners (such as CHOP and PECO) extended support and opportunities; and invited speakers from the community offered their possibilities.

As fate would have it, while Courtni was still in our program, a representative from Harcum College, came to speak with the class to offer a fantastic education opportunity. The school was accepting applications and offering a tuition free Associates Degree. Even though the school is located in Bryn Mawr, the classes for this particular degree opportunity was offered in the West Philadelphia area, which was perfect for Courtni and her situation.

Courtni has expressed her gratitude for the Enhancing Parenting Skills Program, stating, “this program has allowed me to become the best mother I know how to be and has allowed me to see a better future for myself and my son”. Courtni’s journey shows that with the right help, everything is possible.

Intercultural’s community impact is best seen through the stories of the individuals and families we serve. Some recent success stories include the following:

HPRP – A Housing “Life-line” for Struggling Families

With a steady job as a unit secretary in a hospital emergency room, and a roommate to help pay the rent, Gwen Smith did not think she would have to worry about meeting her monthly rent payments. However, when her roommate moved out, the 3 bedroom unit she lived in with her 15-year old daughter became too much for her to handle, and she fell behind in her rent. Gwen soon faced eviction, and had to seek help. She was referred to the Homelessness Prevention Program at Intercultural, and was assigned a housing case manager who determined her eligibility for rental assistance. Gwen’s application was processed quickly, and she received the support she needed to stay in her home.

For now, Gwen is managing, and working hard to make ends meet. One day, she would like to own her own home, and has enrolled in one of Intercultural’s First Time Homebuyer Workshops to learn how she can improve her financial situation for a future home purchase. Commenting on the assistance she received, Gwen remains grateful. “It was a blessing, and kept me from being evicted. To others she offers this advice: “Don’t get discouraged. There are things you can do for yourself, and organizations (like Intercultural) to help you.”

Keeping Families in their Homes – Foreclosure Prevention Services

Anna and Nicholas Fiocca own a home in South Philadelphia and had always been able to afford their mortgage payments. Anna’s job of 30 years, added to Nicholas’ monthly social security covered most of the couple’s expenses. When Anna was laid off, the Fioccas financial situation changed abruptly, and they were soon unable to pay their mortgage. Anna was unable to find other work despite her daily efforts, and the small pension she received from her former employer was not enough to cover the couple’s monthly housing expenses.

When they came to Intercultural for assistance, the Fioccas met with housing counselor Mary Campbell, who guided them through the foreclosure prevention and loan modification process. Ms. Campbell helped them complete a Making Homes Affordable package, which they then submitted to the mortgage company for approval. The Fioccas were approved for a loan modification which reduced their monthly mortgage payments from $1,111 to $686 per month, and substantially lowered their interest rate.

With their payments more affordable, the Fioccas can afford to stay in their home.