© Images Courtesy of A Safe Haven for Newborns
Helping Mothers and Safely Placing Babies in Caring Arms
Nick Silverio established The Gloria M. Silverio Foundation 501(C)3, A Safe Haven for Newborns, 24 years ago, in response to an escalating worldwide crisis: babies were being abandoned in unsafe places and often not surviving. He made it his life mission to rescue infants from abandonment and to help mothers in crisis.
A Safe Haven for Newborns is dedicated to eliminating the ultimate in infant abuse—abandonment—through education, prevention, community involvement, and direct assistance. It provides the mother with the help she needs without judgment and at no cost to her. All are served, and the mother’s right to privacy is respected. A Safe Haven for Newborns does not publicize the surrender of a newborn to protect the mother’s anonymity in the community.
Experienced counselors and medical personnel say that mothers who surrender their newborns have many reasons. This tragedy affects people of all ages, ethnicities, and socioeconomic groups. The mothers often feel helpless and lack support and resources.
“Placing the baby in the right arms will give the mother in crisis the personal comfort she needs. A mother wants to know that she will be safe and her baby will be too,” said Dr. Andrea Corn, Clinical Psychologist.
WHAT IS THE DIRECT SURRENDER METHOD
The Direct Surrender Method offers peace of mind to birth mothers, knowing their infants are left in the arms of a caring and compassionate person. Trained health professionals assess both mother and newborn, gathering valuable health information for the newborn’s immediate and long-term care.
To successfully facilitate the direct safe surrender of an infant, the Foundation provides online training to all 24/7 Safe Haven facilities and law enforcement agencies free of charge. Over 25,000 professionals have taken the online training program. All ER hospitals, 24/7 manned fire and EMS stations display the Safe Haven for Newborns signage that is provided by the Foundation, at no charge to the facilities, designating them as a safe haven location.
The program’s success stems from its strong partnership with ER hospitals and fire/EMS stations. The Foundation maintains an extensive statewide network of agencies that provide nonjudgmental help and resources at no cost to mothers. With a call to the 24/7 multilingual confidential helpline, mothers receive the support they need.
Nick Silverio, founder of the Foundation, emphasizes the importance of active listening and collaboration to determine the needs of mothers and provide appropriate assistance.
“Our grassroots efforts are saving lives. To date, 432 infants have been given a forever home, 422 in Florida, nine in other states, and one in Honduras, said Silverio.”
A Safe Haven for Newborns is recognized as the national model program for saving newborns from abandonment and assisting pregnant women in crises. Other states and countries have sought the Foundation’s help in establishing a Direct Surrender program tailored to their communities. The Foundation was instrumental in helping Panama pass its Safe Haven for Newborns law.
A Safe Haven for Newborns depends on the kindness of corporations, supporters, and donors to provide essential services. Together, the Foundation can save newborns and offer hope to desperate pregnant women. Your generous donation can make a real impact.
To learn more about A Safe Haven for Newborns and how to help, visit asafehavenfornewborns.com
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Lives are being saved due to the strong Safe Haven alliance and partnerships with hospitals and Fire and EMS stations working to receive a Safe Haven Baby, coupled with protecting the anonymity of the parent(s) as the law allows.