The Connection

For the past 19 years, the nonprofit Naomi Project of Northern Virginia has worked with high-risk, pregnant women and new mothers to help them have healthy pregnancies and babies. It’s now become a program of the nonprofit Our Daily Bread (ODB) and, on Jan. 22, the two groups celebrated their union.

“It’s a natural offshoot of what we’re already doing with moms,” said ODB spokeswoman Heather Webb. “This is another way that we can help them build families and get on a better financial footing.”

The Naomi Project is a volunteer-based program that matches its clients on a one-to-one basis in a mentoring relationship that extends throughout the pregnancy. It then continues on an as-needed basis for as long as it’s appropriate or up until the child’s third birthday.

THE HELP is important because these women represent a niche population that, otherwise, would go un-served because it doesn’t fit within the criteria of other area programs. And in many cases, the clients experience for the first time a caring adult focusing specifically on them.

Volunteers range in age from 26-79 and their clients are anywhere from ages 14-46. Most referrals to the program come from the Fairfax County and Alexandria health departments, Fairfax County Department of Human Services, local clinics and high schools. Private doctors and social workers have referred people, too.

Peggy Ferguson founded the Naomi Project in 1995. “I have a background in public-health nursing and hospital chaplaincy, but there was never enough time to be with each person,” she said. “I have five children of my own, and I knew that pregnant and newly parenting women need all the help they can get.”

Although its annual budget has been less than $5,000 a year, the Naomi Project has made a big difference in its clients’ lives. In 2013, its volunteers helped 30 women; some 20 mentors, eight area coordinators and 11 support staff gave more than 1,300 hours to the effort.

“We helped over 500 women in 19 years, and 28 women last year,” said Ferguson. “Sometimes, we’ve helped 30-40 in a year. We match one person with one mentor to help them better understand their pregnancy, develop good parenting skills and make a plan for the rest of their lives. We also promote breastfeeding and the importance of parents reading to their children.”

Last fall, however, she decided it was time for her to retire. But first she made sure the Naomi Project would be left in good hands. ODB provides emergency and seasonal assistance, plus financial education and mentoring to working individuals and families in Fairfax County to help them achieve and maintain self-sufficiency.

The two organizations were able to blend together courtesy of a grant from another nonprofit, the philanthropic Giving Circle of Hope. The money allowed ODB to hire someone to work with the Naomi Project’s volunteers – who’ll continue on with the program – to ensure a smooth transition and ongoing coordination between the two groups.

And both Ferguson and ODB Executive Director Lisa Whetzel are delighted. “I just felt such good energy when we met with ODB,” said Ferguson. “It’s such a good fit.”

“The mission and values of our organizations mesh well, and we’re very excited,” said Whetzel. “We think there’s a lot of opportunity to work together and bring more services to both sets of clients.”

There are 30-60 Naomi Project volunteers available at any one time, and they already have support systems in place for their clients. But now, said Whetzel, “We can offer these clients budgeting classes and match them with financial mentors. And if they’re identified as being in financial crisis, ODB can help them with rent and utilities.”

So, she said, “There’s synergy between our two programs. The Naomi Project was well-organized and well-regarded in the community. They reached out to us because they needed continuity and consistency, and that’s what we can provide. And working with their clients fits in with ODB’s mission and vision for the future.”

“We provide emergency services, but we found we have the most impact when we have a deeper relationship with the clients,” continued Whetzel. “And as a result, they’re more motivated to make long-term changes in their lives.”

For example, she said ODB’s Project Bridge program lasts one year and enrolls 12 clients for financial and food assistance, plus a $500 workforce-development stipend. Providing a bridge from need to empowerment, it allows them to obtain skills training so they may get better-paying jobs, while eliminating the financial barriers blocking their way.

AT THE JAN. 22 “We Are One” reception to celebrate the new partnership, attendees brought baby clothes, children’s books and diapers to ODB’s Fairfax office to be given to the clients. And staff and volunteers from both organizations got to meet each other socially.

Whetzel told those gathered that, the past few years, ODB has been moving toward comprehensive case management. “Helping people one-on-one is the most effective way to make a difference in people’s lives,” she said.

“It’s been an incredible experience working with pregnant and newly parenting women, and the women who’ve volunteered with us have been amazing,” added Ferguson. “This partnership with ODB is the fit we’ve been looking for, and we’re extremely grateful.”