FEATURE STORY

Ever the entrepreneur, Las Vegas resident, Kim Amato, was looking for a way to help new mothers and their newborns thrive and survive during tough times—and she found it.

This past spring, Kim gave “birth,” so to speak, to a nonprofit organization called Baby’s Bounty, an organization that has already given a helping hand to 58 families in need. Baby’s Bounty provides teen mothers, families who are victims of domestic abuse, foster children and those living in poverty, with free baby items, including newborn clothing, strollers, cribs and other essential gear. Social service providers identify and screen the families in need and submit a referral form requesting the necessary items on their behalf. Items are distributed once mother and child have been released from the hospital.

On average, Baby’s Bounty receives three to six referrals a day. In the month of October, 30 families received assistance. Baby’s Bounty works directly with social service providers such as Courtney Children’s Foundation, Child Haven, Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, Dept. of Welfare & Supportive Services, WIC, SafeNest and Family Promise.

Filling the Need

Good things do come to those who are persistent.

Kim said she couldn’t be more pleased that the mission of Baby’s Bounty—to help a newborn thrive—has caught on in Las Vegas and she is hoping that the momentum will continue.

“While doing my research, I learned that many new mothers leave the hospital with nothing for the baby other than the few items they are given in the hospital. I thought it was really important to give the families what they needed as soon as they left the hospital,” she says.

Sadly, many families have no home to go to. After visiting area shelters and speaking with social service providers, Kim learned that it’s difficult for homeless families to stay together in the shelters, and mothers and their older male children are often separated. “The shelters are at maximum capacity and there are few that cater to families,” she says. “The homeless population has risen to over 11,000 people and these hard economic times will leave many more families homeless.”

Getting It Right

Kim thought it seemed important to give the family what they needed right after the birth of a child, and she decided to get her husband involved. Guy Amato serves as the president/CEO of Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas. He sent out an e-mail blast to various companies and individuals who were quick to help Baby’s Bounty.

Donations of infant clothing, strollers and supplies poured in. “The response was overwhelming,” says Kim. “Church groups crocheted blankets and booties, while some folks went out and shopped for new items to donate. It was more than I ever expected.” It goes quickly, though. According to Kim, the most requested items include newborn clothing, cribs, strollers, car seats and swings.

What’s In a Name?

As for the nonprofit’s name, Baby’s Bounty, Kim says she was looking for something that would “convey an endless supply of necessary baby items.” So far, she’s been on the money as the organization has attracted the attention of large companies, a local TV station and many others over these past few months.

“It’s been a whirlwind,” she says. “Everything is done by volunteers and I am so incredibly grateful to them.”

No stranger to helping out her community, Kim spent the past year running the Nevada Homeless Alliance and she says that “it was a real baptism by fire. During that time, I was mentored by various Clark County officials and I was able to establish terrific contacts. My work with Project Homeless Connect exposed me to valuable data regarding which part of the homeless population was growing. All roads led to families with young children.”

What makes Baby’s Bounty different from other organizations that distribute baby items is that a new mother can get everything she needs from one place. “Other organizations distribute diapers and formula, or a layette for the baby to wear when they leave the hospital,” says Kim. “But we, through the generosity of the community, are able to supply families with so much more.”

Full Steam Ahead

Although the organization is still relatively new, Kim continues to be deeply touched by the outpouring of assistance from local business owners, large corporations, volunteers and the community at large. “It’s very humbling to see how many people are in need. The generosity of the community has been tremendous,” she says.

Down the road, Kim says she hopes to be able to raise as much money as possible to fund Baby’s Bounty for a long time to come.

“Hopefully, we’ll become the main resource for families in need and we’ll bring awareness to the community about the face of poverty in Las Vegas,” she says. “I’m not doing it for the ‘feel good’ thing. The need is so great and I had the ability to put it all together. Ask and ye shall receive. And we have.”

Kim Amato can be reached through the Baby’s Bounty Web site at www.babysbounty.com or by e-mail at help@babysbounty.com.