Though I had spent the night at the hospital in support of my son and his wife through their arduous labor at birthing their first child, my beautiful granddaughter, I looked forward to getting back to work as community collaboration coordinator and the meeting that was about to take place.

The human service committee was gathering in the hospital conference room for our monthly meeting – 20 or more agencies. This was a good group. The directors of the Community Action Agency, the County Health Department, the Department of Social Services, the superintendent of the Intermediate School District, a County Commissioner, the Probate Judge, leaders from the domestic violence shelter, child abuse prevention, the Red Cross, active community leaders from faith based services including the YMCA.

We discussed a number of issues and news items that affected the whole community. We had already been working on teen health issues, housing, and public transportation. We were about to discuss a proposal that required community endorsement and funding assistance – Friends of Newborns, a volunteer program matching willing individuals with new, young parents, some considered at risk in their new parenting job due to lack of family support, finances, or their own difficult background.

The discussion dragged on as the group addressed the details of their own disciplines in academic concepts. Maybe it was lack of sleep or the euphoria of a newborn in the family, but I suggested that we all go upstairs to see what this program is really all about. And so we did. These many community leaders probably enjoyed the break as we elevated ourselves to the third floor where an exhausted young mom and a magnificent new baby looked startled at the unusual visitors. After sufficient oo’s and ah’s we returned to our task. This time the mood was very different. Now there was a reality to our job.

“We’ll be the fiscal agent,” the Community Action Agency director offered. “We can offer the space and material services,” the Hospital Director said. Three other agencies offered to be the oversight committee guiding the yet-to-be-hired director of the program. And so the much needed Friends of Newborn project was launched.

This is collaboration – coming together for the common good with a clear direction of the needs at hand and applying the expertise necessary to strengthen community. (p.s. I loved that job).

Contact Helene LaBrecque Ellis via email at hellis7@msn.com or by phone at 517-256-3277. For informtion on how to purchase her book, "A Kinship Guide to Rescuing Children For Grandparents and Other Relatives As Parents," email info@chicagoroadpublishing.com.