At the very heart of this project is the connection of our community’s vibrant population of older people with new babies and their mothers who will benefit from their commitment and life experience. Each cohort’s nurturing team includes six older volunteers who each commits to holding the baby in their care two time a week for two hours each equaling four hours a week. (Up to six hours weekly is also an option) Volunteers make a commitment to the relationship with the baby throughout the awakening years. By building long-term relationships with the babies and their mothers, volunteers are critical to the success of the BabyCorps mission and to the well-being of both the mothers and the development of the child. They are also an integral part of the specialized language development program. One goal of the language program is that the babies in the pilot when they are eight years old in third grade and taking their first nation-wide reading assessment will score in the top 10% in the nation.

The guide will foster a nurturing relationship with each of the three children. These relationships will create a web of support forming the environment that is harmonious and especially critical during the first 1,000 days of that child’s life. An example of the daily duties of a volunteer in the first months of life include holding a baby in their arms, singing, going for walks, dancing etc. Literally, a goal is to have the infant awaken on the lap of a loving, older-volunteer while in an atmosphere of harmony.

Criteria For Volunteers Volunteers must be willing to:

Make a commitment to being part of a team that shares the joy and challenge of caring for infants.

• Successfully complete the 10-hour training in assertive communication and small group effectiveness.

• Must complete all requirements to be licensed as a child care provider in New York State including fingerprinting, background check and training.

• Health Clearance

• No record of child abuse

• No criminal record of consequence