FROM FOUNDER PAM FRASCO...

Nearly 1 out of 10 infants will find itself inside the walls of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit as their first experience to the world. With those medically fragile babies, come parents and caregivers who have experienced a traumatic beginning to parenthood. I found myself as one of those parents e and my life has never been the same since. As a mother of two babies born prematurely, I have experienced not one, but two NICU stays and the heaviness that comes along with bringing a baby into the world too soon.
When delivering our sons Santino (at 31 weeks), and Salvatore (at 30 weeks), we were fortunate enough to have lots of shoulders to lean on. Although there were many folks around us, we still felt very alone in our journey. Additionally, I found myself looking to the left and right seeing the so many families impacted by this medical journey with little to no support emotionally or financially.

Project NICU was born out of the love and support of family and friends, our desire to give back to the community that meant so much to our family during several months of our lives, and the distinct need for connection for parents who were experiencing such a traumatic event.

I longed for connection with someone who had been in the NICU and when I found it through a friend, I finally felt less alone. Her small gift of a journal, and the gift of a knit hat from a local church, would inspire what our care packages are today.

I envisioned a place where NICU parents could share stories, get hope and connection from one another. Support tokens given to a new family just admitted to the hospital, letting them know someone was thinking of them. Gifts of gas cards or groceries to help ease the burden that many face while dealing with a medical stay. A community where there would be someone to talk to without judgement or fear. Events where parents could see former nurses, or NICU families that may have been at their hospital at the same time! I wanted a way for parents like myself who wanted to give back to those that have come after us and celebrate these incredible medical teams that work miracles minute by minute. And finally for something that would grow with its members and become whatever it was meant to and needed to be.

This community started as a small dream, and has grown into a beautiful community of people trying to make those that have come after them feel connected and support. It’s about passing the torch back so others can see the road a bit more clearly. It’s about tying the threads between the hospital and the caregivers so that the family outcomes are better for all.