Parent-to-Parent Support Volunteer

Guiding Parents, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and empowering mothers, fathers and legal guardians of babies and toddlers in New York City. Our primary goal is to address unexpected challenges of parenting through free and convenient emotional and social one-on-one support and a Lecture Series. Our activities will encourage emotional well-being and personal growth by providing a strong support network and additional opportunities for learning and networking among other parents.

Parents seeking support are matched with reliable, trained Parent-to-Parent Support Volunteers who listen, understand them and provide problem-solving support such as:
• Information about community resources (i.e.: childcare, housing, job training, etc.) and referrals to other organizations and agencies
• Tips on improving well-being and work/life/family balance
• Practical parenting advice and solutions to common parenting issues

At Guiding Parents, connections between parents are one-to-one and matches are made carefully so the support is personalized. Guiding Parents facilitates the match and follow-up process to ensure the relationship is comfortable and productive.

Parents have the need to connect with others who have experienced similar parenting challenges - someone who could provide a road map and directions for navigating through certain experiences - a Personal Guide. Comparing situations allows parents to confirm normal emotional reactions to their own situation and allows them to feel optimistic about the future.

Emotional and social support tends to lead to parenting satisfaction and a sense of parenting competence.

A Parent Volunteer with older children is like a window into the future and helps new parents anticipate upcoming events and be optimistic about them.

New Program

Information Session - 4/4/2015
Lecture Series Kickoff - 5/3/2015