Grantee Spotlight offers an in-depth look at the work of our current grant recipients. Click below for previous features:
The Red Mill Museum Village
Riding with HEART
CASA SHaW
This July, we’re featuring The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey, a champion organization for children and families based in Trenton. For over 100 years, CHS of NJ has worked to protect, care for, and place children in safe and loving family homes, as well as to support and educate parents and families in need of empowerment. The staff at the Children’s Home Society offers a variety of mission-driven programs and services, but this month we’re taking a closer look at the work of Vilma Aguirre Binchinque, Maternal Child Health Coordinator. In addition to other day-to-day responsibilities, Vilma oversees the Cares for Her maternal education program that we are currently sponsoring.
Vilma Aguirre Bichinque (left) with CUNA baby shower honoree Yaminah Flores
How did you end up working at the Children’s Home Society of New Jersey? What makes it a good fit?
Vilma: I have always had a passion for social services. Since I was little, I have been involved in different organizations doing volunteer work. I grew up in El Salvador, and came to this country when I was 15. While I was in El Salvador, I volunteered in an orphanage and in a place for the elderly. Since then, I’ve realized that I had a call to serve others and make a difference in my community. After arriving in this country, I volunteered at my local church and at Planned Parenthood.
I had always been interested in working for the Children’s Home Society of New Jersey, but it wasn’t until the summer of 2011 that I was encouraged to apply. It was then that I began to work at the Family Success Center. At that time, I was a facilitator for a parenting program – “Nurturing Parenting” – until I transferred to the Maternal Child Health Services department in 2012.
There’s no better feeling than waking up in the morning and going to work knowing that I am making a difference and that I’m involved in something that truly sparks my passion.
For those unfamiliar with your work, what services and programs do you provide?
Vilma: We provide resources, education, and services in collaboration with community partners on topics related to preconception, prenatal, and interconception health. Some of the services we provide include the CUNA and Body and Soul programs (prenatal health education for pregnant mothers). We also provide a hospital orientation tour to the labor/delivery unit and mom/baby unit at Capital Health Medical Center in Hopewell, childbirth education classes, breastfeeding support groups, pregnancy testing, and linkages and referrals.
Our Prenatal Health and Education Support Groups run for six weeks. We meet twice a week for about three hours a day. At the end of those programs, we host a baby shower where each participant receives prizes and a basket filled with baby essentials.
Maternal Child Health program participants
Are there other programs or services available like the ones you provide?
Vilma: Yes, there are other programs and services in the area similar to ours.
What sets us apart from the others is the one-on-one support we provide along with the group support provided during every class and to each participant. We also offer transportation to and from activities since we know getting back and forth is costly for some of our participants. They have enough to worry about while being pregnant. We provide healthy meals during activities, as well as hospital tours and baby showers.
As I mentioned, the support we provide is paramount. Some of our participants do not have family members or friends around to extend support to them, but coming to us twice a week is the perfect opportunity for those moms to create a support network during and after pregnancy. We have seen moms become really good friends because of our program.
Even though other agencies provide free pregnancy testing, we also connect moms with prenatal care, WIC, or Planned Parenthood, provide information on adoption if applicable, or connect them with licensed adoption workers. We also have a CUNA liaison at Health Start Prenatal Clinic to help moms with medical insurance applications or any other services they might need.
CUNA program participants
What does a typical day look like for you? What are you doing that the community might not know about?
Vilma: On days when I have groups, a typical day consists of calling participants to remind them about class, setting up for class, preparing handouts and videos, running class for three hours, cleaning up, calling taxis to provide transportation for our moms, and providing support to participants if necessary. I usually have at least one mom who needs one-on-one support at the end of class.
On days I’m not doing group, I have to do outreach, pregnancy testing, and participant follow-up. I am also contacting other agencies to see if they can collaborate to provide better services to our community.
What is most important for us to know about the moms and children you serve?
Vilma: Our services are provided free to everyone. The population we serve is usually struggling due to financial hardship, food insecurity, lack of support from a spouse, family, or friends, or general stress. We all know stress comes in many forms. Lack of stable, safe housing is another struggle. No matter what these families, moms, and children are going through, they come here knowing we are here to help them. This is a safe place and we will do everything to make sure they get assistance. We do it with an open heart and mind since everyone is special and we make sure they leave us feeling that way.
The Maternal Child Health Team (l to r): Vilma Aguirre Bichinque, Teresita Carrasquillo, Gladis Lopez, Shahera Hutchinson
What can the local community or interested volunteers do to help support you?
Vilma: Spreading the word is one of the best things volunteers and participants can do for us. The majority of our participants come because they have received referrals from the prenatal clinic or through friends who have participated in our program in the past.
Providing funding is another way to support our work. Although we receive funding from the March of Dimes and other organizations, it’s never enough. Groups are sometimes large and we want to provide healthy meals for everyone.
Volunteer to assist with a program! We are always eager to have a helping hand. Every little bit helps and someone giving their time is so meaningful.
To learn about volunteer opportunities or make a contribution to CHS of NJ, contact
Pam Cipriano
pcipirano@chsofnj.org
(609) 695-6274, x 160