Layette Ministry provides essential items to needy newborns in Goshen.

Each bundle has a comforter, 2 receiving blankets, a gown, t-shirt, socks, hand crocheted booties, hooded towel, washcloth, 12 diapers and a note from the women of Zion. Any woman interested is welcome to join us whether they are from Zion or not. Children are welcome and snacks are provided. Becky Holderman, a Registered Nurse, visits new moms within days of their discharge from Goshen Hospital as a visiting nurse.

A common question is “Are their really babies in Goshen who need such basic things?” We say a resounding YES to that question. Here are some stories on several babies who have been helped by Layette Ministry.

This baby lived in a home that had cardboard over a missing living room window and needed more blankets to stay warm as it was a typical Indiana winter with snow and cold temperatures.

This mother had a C-section, a two year old, no car or phone and lived in a second story apartment and didn’t know how she would be able to get more diapers or clothing needed for her newborn.

This baby was swaddled in a sheet as the mother had no blankets for the baby and few clothes.

A hardworking conservative family who was blessed with twins but lacked the necessities to care for them. The parents had no clothes for the baby, it was naked and had cried all night from cold. It’s body temp was dropping and they didn’t know how to care for the baby to keep it warm. Becky Holderman, RN took the items right out of the Layette bundle and dressed, swaddled and warmed the infant teaching the parents along the way.

The single mom who’s eyes brightened when she saw the precious handmade afghan for her newborn that was new and had never been used in comparison to the stained and worn clothing the infant had on.