Hands of Hope Intern bringing awareness of the center's resources

Kimerson Smith with birth place staff.

Kimerson Smith is spending her summer away from classes at UNC Chapel Hill working as an intern at the Hands of Hope Resource Center, Forest City.

Studying Human Development and Human Sciences at Chapel Hill, Smith said when she returns in the fall she'll also begin her double major in Nursing.

She loves working with people and trying to meet their needs, Kimerson said.

When she began her internship at the Hands of Hope Pregnancy Center, she and Executive Director Michelle Flynn began discussing ways Kimerson would reach out to more mothers and families in Rutherford County who might not know about Hands of Hope services.

After doing some research, Kimerson learned there was such an opportunity at Rutherford Regional Health System to offer assistance to new mothers, dads and babies in the birth place. She learned that only one out of 100 mothers who reach out to Hands of Hope for assistance or for classes, are referrals from the hospital's birth place.

After contacting Sherry McIntosh, director of the birth place, Kimerson informed McIntosh of all the services offered to new mothers and families. She was invited to share her resources at the hospital.

"Hands of Hope helps these babies and children until they reach age 2," Kimerson began.

"We can be of service to them and have ongoing support for them. We all need a village," she said.

Kimerson made flyers, in both English and Spanish, for the birth place outlining all services for the new parents and the baby. She also put together special packages for moms, dads and babies.

The postpartum mom care packages include a flyer that showcases Hands of Hope's Earn While You Learn program, along with other support offered at the Hands of Hope.

The dad package consists of snacks and a men's hygiene travel pack and a flyer about the Hands of Hope dad program and the men-to-men mentorship program.

The baby package includes a baby bath kit and a baby blanket.

At Hands of Hope, an eight week educational video, "Being a Father" is available as well as mentorships.

Hands of Hope has an Earn While You Learn Hope Buck Program that allows new moms and dads to earn Hope Bucks by attending one of the video education classes at Hands of Hope Center. The Bucks earned can be used to purchase items in the Hands of Hope boutique located at 124 Turner Street in Forest City.

Items include diapers, wipes, clothes, formula, bottles, baby wash and much more.

Families are invited to attend classes of their choice as often as they wish.

Kimerson also put together an infant loss package that includes a grief book, tea candle, and infant loss awareness ribbon. A flyer also explains the support offered at Hands of Hope Resource Center.

"Whether you're a mom, dad or caregiver, our program is here to assist you in every step of the way," the Hands of Hope flyer reads.

Kimerson is a graduate of Rutherford Early College High School (REaCH) and will begin her third year at Carolina this fall.