Heartbeat of Toledo needs volunteers to serve as nurses, parenting instructors and advocates. Volunteers are needed for Heartbeat’s two physical locations: 4041 W. Sylvania Ave., Suite LL4, in Toledo and 101 Main Street in East Toledo; as well as at its new mobile women’s center.
Heartbeat is a pregnancy resource center whose mission is to be the best source of information and support to women facing pregnancies and to help moms, dads, and babies in need. All services are free and confidential.
Volunteer RNs and LPNs do health assessments and pregnancy tests for the women who come to Heartbeat, according to Pat Todak, executive director. Parenting instructors meet one-on-one with new and expectant moms and dads to facilitate prenatal and parenting lessons. “We use a national curriculum called ‘Earn While You Learn’ as part of our lessons, Mrs. Todak says. “Using DVDs, workbooks, and worksheets, we help new and expectant parents learn how to be the best possible moms and dads. With each lesson they complete, the parents earn points that they can use to get the baby items they need, including clothing, diapers, formula, car seats, and more.”
Advocates will be primarily on Heartbeat’s mobile unit, according to Mrs. Todak. “Working with our nurses and sonographers, our advocates will meet with women facing unplanned pregnancies to provide information on options, emotional support as well as resources that are available to help them,” she says. “Our mobile travels to different locations in Toledo, depending on the day of the week.”
Volunteers are asked to commit to working four to six hours per week, either weekly or every other week. Day, evening, and Saturday volunteer opportunities are available.
For more information or to attend a volunteer orientation, call Heartbeat at 419-241-9131. Information is also available on their website, www.heartbeatoftoledo.org.
