“Our fundraising efforts haven’t kept up with our program growth over the last several years,” Janessa Gerber, president of the BABS board, said. “We are going to continue childbirth education, prenatal yoga and referral services over the summer months, and I would like to reopen fully by October 1.”
Before this can happen, the board is planning to spend the summer researching the needs of the community and restructuring their business model to match them, Gerber said.
Part of the reason for their financial troubles is likely the fact they offer many services for reduced prices for families who would be unable to afford them otherwise.
“We provide sliding scale services as well as quite a bit of free services to individuals,” Gerber said. “The support that new moms, new babies and new families in general receive is so vital to our community as a whole. How we can support families in those early years makes a difference for decades to come.”
Gerber said she that BABS’ closing will leave a significant hole in the Bloomington community.
“You can get childbirth education elsewhere, you can get lactation services elsewhere, but having that community that’s at the same point in their life as you are made all the difference in the world for me,” Gerber said. “I can say without a doubt that I would not be the mother I am today if it wasn’t for coming in here one week postpartum with my newborn.”
Annie Garau
