Talk of the Town - Whitley County

(Talk of The Town photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Shawn Ellis, above, recently became the new director of the Beds and Britches, Etc. (BABE), a program that provides new and gently used items to local families as a reward for making healthy choices. Below, a glimpse of the many things available to families at the BABE Boutique on Chauncey Street each Wednesday and Thursday.

By Jennifer Zartman Romano 

Newborn babies. Neatly stacked piles of new baby sleepers. A new director with a new direction and a new educational program aimed at new mothers. Are you noticing the theme of newness here?

It makes sense when you’re talking about a program aimed at providing the necessary comforts for the newest, tiniest citizens of our community.

In early November, Columbia City resident Shawn Ellis was named program director of the Beds And Britches, Etc. (BABE) program in Whitley County. Following a seven year career as case manager for The Lighthouse homeless shelter in Columbia City, Ellis is excited about the opportunities that abound in her new role working with mothers and families.

Now in its seventh year in Whitley County, the BABE program was brought into the community by Columbia City United Methodist Church and Parkview Whitley Hospital. Via 35 different service agencies in the community, families earn coupons that can be redeemed at the BABE boutique for diapers, clothing, cribs and a variety of other infant and toddler items. Coupons can be earned for simply taking your child to a well baby visit at the doctor’s office or to receive their immunizations.

“93 percent of the residents we serve are from Whitley County,” Ellis said of her clientele. Families can begin earning their coupons even before the baby is born.

“One of our main objectives is to reduce and eliminate low birth weights,” she said, “so we focus a lot on prenatal care.”

While most of the items in the boutique are brand new, in order to keep a wide selection of items available and at a low cost for those who utilize the program, Ellis is hoping to do something a little different in the future – she would like to begin accepting donations of gently used, quality baby items.

“We would like to begin accepting very, very gently used items – particularly clothing at this time,” Ellis said. Ellis said many boutique visitors had voiced an interest in being able to redeem their coupons for gently used items because it would give them more buying power with their coupons.

According to Ellis, 65% of the people they serve are under the age of five.

Last year, the BABE boutique distributed 30,000 diapers. They served 3,389 individuals and redeemed 10,593 coupons.

“That is the most coupons we’ve ever had,” she said. “We’re excited because obviously our program is growing.”

 “We’re excited and so thankful,” said Ellis.

She shared that often she hears from parents who are in a dilemma – when they are down to their last dollars, often they have to look at their expenses and make difficult choices: gas for the car or diapers or a gallon of milk.

“Fortunately, they’ve been doing the things they need to do for their children and they’ve earned those coupons,” she said. “A mother can come in and get diapers. They should use them that way.”

“Where they get their coupons, they’re getting extra help, but this is not a freebie,” Ellis said.

Ellis said she’s hoping to make it even easier to get coupons in the future, incorporating new programs that are beneficial to the parents and children. One addition is a new monthly program called LINK.

LINK stands for learn, invest, nourish and knowledge, a new program that will enable participants to meet with other parents, enjoy a meal and fellowship together, read stories to their children, learn more about services available in Whitley County, share a craft project with their children and receive a coupon for attending.

Ellis is excited about this new program and what a great opportunity it will be for parents to network and learn.

“We want them to walk away having gained more knowledge than when they came in,” said Ellis.

The first LINK program will be offered February 19 at 10 a.m. at Peabody Public Library on the lower level. The LINK program is open to any parent with young children.

Ellis has set many exciting goals for the year, including searching for new funding sources and pursuing an independent non-profit status for the organization.

“I love my new job,” Ellis said, beaming. “I get to shop for babies, meet new people and create programs. This is really a breath of fresh air.”

“I get to hold babies, talk about potty training and breaking the pacifier habit,” she said. “It’s something moms do best – talking with other moms about children.”

The BABE boutique is open Wednesdays from 2-6 p.m. and Thursdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

For more information about the BABE program or the new LINK program, contact Shawn Ellis at 244-2820.