Parents of Preemies Association (PoP Association) Mission Statement
The goal of the PoP Association is to create a community-based support network for local parents of premature children. Prematurity does not end when a child is discharged from the NICU, so the PoP Association aims to assist parents from the birth of their child on. The PoP Association is volunteer-based; run by preemie parents f
or preemie parents. The organization is founded on a “pay it forward” mentality. Parents who receive packages, support, or encouragement are asked to do the same for others. We encourage parents to make positive connections with other parents to help remove the isolation many feel when they have a preemie. What started as an idea to give back and help others in March 2014, has quickly grown into a multi-dimensional platform to support parents of premature children. Our association now consists of:
• The Facebook group that acts as an online support group where members can connect and share with other local parents of preemies (members have even started to organize play dates and get-togethers);
• The website that serves as a resource hub for local parents and their families;
• The page to raise awareness about issues surrounding prematurity; and
• The “Packages for Preemies” program that creates packages for new preemie parents to help them get through the difficult time their child is in hospital in the Ottawa area.
•The organizing of Parent and Family Events within Ottawa to allow families to meet in person. Why is the PoP Association important? Approximately 1 in 10 babies born in Canada are premature. Although there are other organizations in Canada devoted to premature children, our association is unique as its aim is to help parents of premature children from their time in the hospital to the time their child is fully grown. Community resources and support are a major contributor to a person’s success with handling hardship and the PoP Association wants to be a part of that success. The hospitals in Ottawa have been encouraging of the association’s efforts to aid local families. They recognize the need for support and the ease in which the PoP Association’s various platforms allow people to connect and access community resources. Families within the Ottawa’s special care nurseries have been grateful to receive packages and relieved to know that there are others that understand their struggle. What started as an idea to give back and help, has quickly grown into a platform for raising awareness about the issues that surround prematurity and the ability to help so many in the community.
