Stork’s Nest, a cooperative project of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated and the March of Dimes Foundation, for more than forty years, aims to increase the number of women receiving early and regular prenatal care, in an effort to prevent cases of low birth-weight, premature births and infant deaths. The program is designed to promote prenatal care participation and encourage healthy behaviors during pregnancy for low income mothers through two components, incentives and education. Stork’s Nest clients “earn” points toward incentives, such as baby care items though a variety of positive, health-promoting activities, such as, attending prenatal visits, participating in prenatal education classes, stopping at-risk behaviors, such as, smoking cigarettes and consuming alcoholic beverages and reducing stress. There are more than 80 Nests throughout the United States. Stork’s Nest is a jointly owned trademark of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and March of Dimes Foundation and can only be implemented by these two organizations.
To ensure the Nest would be ready prior to the new opening, Bethlehem Baptist Church Deacon, Craig McCloud, worked tirelessly painting and repairing the room that would become the Nest, while members of Phi Omicron Zeta Chapter and their family members decorated, installed shelving and arranged the incentive items.
The first Stork’s Nest was launched in Atlanta, Georgia in 1971 as one of many educational and service projects of Better Infant Births (BIB), a highly successful program sponsored by the Fulton-Dekalb-Clayton Chapter of the March of Dimes.
Expectant mothers and fathers in Newton and Rockdale Counties interested in participating with the Phi Omicron Zeta Chapter Stork’s Nest should contact Marilyn Barton, Stork’s Nest Coordinator, at Barton.marilyn@yahoo.com . The Stork’s Nest is open and ready to do its part to encourage expectant parents to practice healthy behaviors that may lead to healthier babies.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Phi Omicron Zeta Chapter Members and Friend L to R: Eula Hardeman, Ayanna Lewis, Marilyn Barton, Evon Mazyck, Kathryn Williams, Kyra Williams, Dalphine Browder, Kaleena Jackson, Gloria Fallings, Dionne Wilson and Felicia Arnold.
