Programs
"From the earliest days you have been given a sacred principle that declares the inestimable worth of all persons. Do not forget." Doctrine and Covenants 162:6a
Our Areas of Focus
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The MOM ProjectThe Mother's Own Milk (MOM) Project is a community outreach program focused on providing new NICU moms with rental breast pumps at a reduced cost following the birth of their child(ren).
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Generation NowGeneration Now is our newest program focused on the area of youth outreach. With regular youth activities scheduled throughout the year, we hope to connect young people across the region with strong, healthy relationships that will last a lifetime.
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Building TransitionOur congregation is in the midst of congregational renewal, and it is as much about our community as it is about the current membership. We are actively working with professionals to secure a new space that will better meet the needs of all.
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What is the MOM Project?
Babies born too early or who are very sick need special care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) before they can go home with their parents. While the baby is in hospital there are many things that parents cannot help with or control, but one of the most important things only a mother can do is provide her breast milk. Because each mother’s milk is custom made for her baby, it provides unique immune system benefits, is the best nutrition for fragile infants, and creates an important bond for mother and baby. Breast milk can help prevent many health complications for these babies, and gives them a healthy start that lasts a lifetime. Breast feeding also decreases the need for expensive formula, and buying/preparing/washing bottle feeding equipment.
Because babies in the NICU cannot breast feed on demand like they would at home, mothers need to rent a hospital grade electric pump immediately after birth to get their milk supply established and keep it up while their baby is in the hospital. Without this breast pump, milk supply will diminish over time and the mother won’t have enough milk for the baby’s needs. This can force families into using formula just because a suitable breast pump rental is beyond their means.
The Mother’s Own Milk (MOM) Project was created by a Calgary Community of Christ member to serve mothers in Calgary NICUs that cannot afford the commercial rental of a hospital grade breast pump. The program provides hospital grade pumps and all the accessories they need for milk collection and transport at an affordable rate, increasing accessibility for families facing financial difficulties. The Calgary Community of Christ congregation is committed to supporting healthy families, abolishing poverty, and ending suffering wherever possible. By simply enabling mothers to provide their breast milk and eventually breast feed, the MOM Project promotes healthy nutrition, child development, family bonding, and financial stability in the long term.
A hand made baby blanket is also offered to each mother as a gift. The blankets are made with love by volunteers within and outside the congregation. This blanket has been blessed by the congregation to provide comfort and peace during the difficult time of her child’s hospitalisation. The Calgary Community of Christ congregation is proud to sponsor and organise this unique and meaningful program that will serve the families of Calgary.
Because babies in the NICU cannot breast feed on demand like they would at home, mothers need to rent a hospital grade electric pump immediately after birth to get their milk supply established and keep it up while their baby is in the hospital. Without this breast pump, milk supply will diminish over time and the mother won’t have enough milk for the baby’s needs. This can force families into using formula just because a suitable breast pump rental is beyond their means.
The Mother’s Own Milk (MOM) Project was created by a Calgary Community of Christ member to serve mothers in Calgary NICUs that cannot afford the commercial rental of a hospital grade breast pump. The program provides hospital grade pumps and all the accessories they need for milk collection and transport at an affordable rate, increasing accessibility for families facing financial difficulties. The Calgary Community of Christ congregation is committed to supporting healthy families, abolishing poverty, and ending suffering wherever possible. By simply enabling mothers to provide their breast milk and eventually breast feed, the MOM Project promotes healthy nutrition, child development, family bonding, and financial stability in the long term.
A hand made baby blanket is also offered to each mother as a gift. The blankets are made with love by volunteers within and outside the congregation. This blanket has been blessed by the congregation to provide comfort and peace during the difficult time of her child’s hospitalisation. The Calgary Community of Christ congregation is proud to sponsor and organise this unique and meaningful program that will serve the families of Calgary.
FAQs
Who is this service for?
It is for Foothills Medical Centre (FMC) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) families that do not qualify for any other source of cost-assistance with the rental of a hospital grade breast pump, and could not otherwise afford a pump rental.
Who is providing this service?
The rental pumps and all required adapters are provided by the Calgary Community of Christ congregation through The MOM Project. Currently 100% of funding comes from the Calgary Community of Christ Congregation. This program is not sponsored or provided by Alberta Health Services.
how do families access the program?
Hospital Social Workers and Lactation Consultants work closely with families in the NICU and assess families who are candidates for this project. Nurses and other staff members can contact these services if they believe a family could benefit from The MOM Project, but only the Social Worker or Lactation Consultant can provide the family with the program’s contact information. This ensures that our program is available for, and only utilized by those families in the greatest need. If other cost-assistance options are available to a family the Social Worker can connect them to the appropriate resources.
do the moms need to purchase other breast pump accessories?
No. The MOM Project supplies the equipment needed to make the Spectra pump compatible with their hospital-issued pumping kit. Therefore, there is no additional cost burden to mothers who use our program. If moms lose pieces, they will be responsible for the cost of replacement.
what kind of pump is it?
The Spectra S2 hospital grade electric pump is a multi-user closed system breast pump. It has been reviewed by our Lactation Consultant and is an excellent alternative to the Medella Symphony model used on the unit. There is no risk for transmission of infection or cross-contamination of another mother’s milk because the breast milk is separated from the pumping machine itself by a backflow protection valve. There is no risk of other milk or pathogens entering the freshly pumped milk from the machine, or vice-versa.
is there a cost for families?
Yes, the program currently charges a $5/month rental fee. The user cost per mother is approximately $30 just for the adaptor attachments, so this rental fee is not designed to offset the entire cost of the program at this time. The monthly fee is reinvested into the program to continue helping more moms in the future, and all rental fees or donations totaling $20 or more are eligible for a tax receipt from Community of Christ.
how many hospitals do you service right now, and why?
This project was approved as a one-year pilot project at the FMC NICU only. This is partly because our founder has close ties with the Foothills NICU, and because it is the biggest and busiest NICU in southern Alberta. The Foothills NICU is the only level 3 NICU in southern Alberta, meaning they serve the smallest and sickest babies from south of Red Deer as well as British Columbia, Saskatchewan and northern Montana if there is a need. This means that the unit sees families from all walks of life, some of whom are in dire financial straits.
We started the program with six pumps and within three months expanded to ten pumps because the need for The MOM Project was much greater than we had anticipated. In talking to other Calgary NICUs we have learned that the issue of pump rental accessibility is widespread, and even more prevalent in other sectors of the city. To ensure the success and sustainability of our program our team must do a thorough needs assessment, devise an effective delivery strategy, fundraise and manage financing for the pumps and all accessories, and expand our volunteer base before we can expand The MOM Project to another hospital. Our dream is to provide every NICU mother in need with an affordable pump rental, but we want to do this in a way that is responsibly administered so that the program can exist as long as there is a need for it.
We started the program with six pumps and within three months expanded to ten pumps because the need for The MOM Project was much greater than we had anticipated. In talking to other Calgary NICUs we have learned that the issue of pump rental accessibility is widespread, and even more prevalent in other sectors of the city. To ensure the success and sustainability of our program our team must do a thorough needs assessment, devise an effective delivery strategy, fundraise and manage financing for the pumps and all accessories, and expand our volunteer base before we can expand The MOM Project to another hospital. Our dream is to provide every NICU mother in need with an affordable pump rental, but we want to do this in a way that is responsibly administered so that the program can exist as long as there is a need for it.
What is Generation Now?
Each month, Calgary Community of Christ organizes exciting youth activities in the metro area ranging from sports and music events to nature hikes as well as philanthropic opportunities. We believe community building starts at a young age, and we want to help facilitate strong, meaningful relationships in a safe environment between young people in the area. These events are open to church members and friends of the church alike.
This program is the direct result of committed parents and volunteers seeking to invest in our young people. These fun monthly events will expose youth to new, exciting experiences while simultaneously establishing strong bonds that will last for years to come. Additionally, parents and guardians are invited to take this time to connect with one another in meaningful ways.
This program is the direct result of committed parents and volunteers seeking to invest in our young people. These fun monthly events will expose youth to new, exciting experiences while simultaneously establishing strong bonds that will last for years to come. Additionally, parents and guardians are invited to take this time to connect with one another in meaningful ways.
FAQs
Who's in charge?
Parents and volunteers make this program a reality. Any volunteer over 18 must take Community of Christ's Child Protection Training. Click here to read more about our commitment to child safety.
How much does it cost?
Join other youth and young families for community building activities without fear of financial constraints. Calgary Community of Christ operates this program on a donation basis. Your donations help to ensure the continuation of high-quality future activities, but are not required. As a registered charity, your donations are tax deductible.
Who can participate?
All are welcome! While these events target youth of all ages, young families and young adults are also invited to participate as volunteers and spectators. No commitment is required by families whose children are participating; however, all adults are invited to organize a gathering of their own near the youth activity. Community building is important for all of us!
what information is required?
Photo Release Form
From time-to-time, photographs may be taken at Calgary Community of Christ events or services to be posted to our social media channels or for future marketing materials. Please consider filling out this form (one per individual) and returning it to cofchristyyc@outlook.com.
From time-to-time, photographs may be taken at Calgary Community of Christ events or services to be posted to our social media channels or for future marketing materials. Please consider filling out this form (one per individual) and returning it to cofchristyyc@outlook.com.
Where can i find more information?
Please click here to visit the Youth Activities page for more information.
Building Transition Project
In 2013, the congregation entered into discussion about the possible sale of the Ranchlands facility through an intentional congregational renewal process. In 2016, the Ranchlands building was sold to the Muslim Association of Canada, and the Calgary congregation relocated to Lion's Village at 2528 Bowness Rd. NW as a temporary location. A full-time employee was hired in 2016 to help facilitate this transition, and the congregation has entered into an acquisition process as it seeks to relocate to the city centre.
As part of our congregational renewal plan, we have committed ourselves to securing a new space near the city centre that will serve the needs of our membership as well as our community. A needs analysis has been done, and the results can be viewed here. As we continue to move towards the acquisition of a new space, we invite you to visit our Building Transition section for more information and updates.
As part of our congregational renewal plan, we have committed ourselves to securing a new space near the city centre that will serve the needs of our membership as well as our community. A needs analysis has been done, and the results can be viewed here. As we continue to move towards the acquisition of a new space, we invite you to visit our Building Transition section for more information and updates.
