As a group leader you create a safe space where parents can become parents together, where they can say raw feelings out loud, connect and build community is critical. Get inspired by Alison’s, Cindy’s, Chelsea’s and Carolyn’s take on co-leading their PEPS Groups.
Category: Volunteers
Preparing for Baby: Emotional Changes and Challenges
by Kimberly Chan This post was originally published at https://www.oktobeimperfect.com/preparing-baby-emotional-changes-challenges/. Emotional changes and challenges should be expected with the arrival of a new baby. As I prepare to lead a PEPS Newborn group discussion on Emotional Changes and Challenges and prepare for the arrival of our second child, I want to share my approach with other new and expecting parents…
Co-leading, Sister-Style
Julia Calkins is a new PEPS Group leader! She and her husband Jeremy have been married for 4 years this summer. “Our little guy is 19 months old. We were in an evening group starting when Gus was about 8 weeks old and it was so helpful in so many ways!” she said. Like many PEPS parents, they didn’t have…
Table Captain Profile: Suz Fix
Suz Fix participated in a Newborn PEPS Group back in 2016. “During one of the most challenging (and joyful) times in my life, PEPS provided me with a safe and supportive environment where I could talk freely and connect with other new moms.” She decided to give back by being a volunteer leader for another PEPS Group, helping other new parents…
Featured Volunteer: Katja Petersen
Five years ago, Katja Petersen and her husband joined a PEPS group. “We are both originally from Mexico. When we were pregnant with our first child, we found ourselves with no support network. Thankfully, a friend of ours introduced us to PEPS,” Katja said. “The experience of being an immigrant is not easy because people we love are far away. We are forced to build relationships and connections with people that might not speak our language,…
Featured Volunteer: Elise Tumbas
Elise Tumbas is a PEPS Leader volunteering in 2018 to lead a Newborn Group for moms group that meets in the evenings in Woodinville. Elise moved to the area from New York in 2013 with a 6-week old and 22-month old in tow. “With no family or friends in the area – and two very small boys – I found…
Featured Volunteer: Marnee Crawford
by Marnee Crawford Back in 2002, before my son was born, my older sister told me about how fabulous her PEPS experience was. I knew that I wanted that same community and connection to neighborhood families who had babies around the same time we did. Sure enough, the day I showed up to the first meeting on a snowy December…
We share our thanks for outgoing – outstanding – board president, Laurie Alexander
Two years ago, I joined the PEPS Board of Directors. I had participated in a PEPS group in 2009 when my son was born, facilitated a newborn group after that, became a donor, and had helped out with some strategic planning as an outside advisor. But, I had not felt compelled to join the board and support the organization in…
Featured Volunteer: Zoë Wilson
Zoë Wilson’s first experience with PEPS was joining a newborn group in Renton in April of 2014 when her son Luca was one month old. “I appreciated the opportunity to share my joys and struggles in an open, honest and supportive environment. I never felt alone in my experience, at least one other person was always going through something similar…
A New Option for PEPS in the Evenings
Last spring Jill Farbarik led a Newborn Group. Jill is an experienced PEPS Leader who has led 6 groups, one evening group and several in the daytime. But this time around, Jill was leading an evening group just for moms. The group had 9 moms, and they wanted the flexibility of meeting in the evenings. “The women in our group wanted…