Babe of Wabash County has three goals: to promote good health, education, and relationships with families in Wabash County who have children between the ages of pregnancy and five-years-old. We believe that in order to have a successful community, success starts at home. We also believe that our greatest service to the people of Wabash County will be by providing support, guidance, and mentoring opportunities that help educate parents on good parenting skills and healthy lifestyle practices. Babe mission is building community connections to provide educational, physical, and emotional resources and support for families in Wabash County.

The first way we promote these values through an incentive based program. When families visit the doctor for well-baby check-ups or they go to the library for storytime, they will receive a coupon that is worth $5 in value. Families can take these coupons to the Babe Store and redeem them for baby items such as diapers, wipes, clothing, furniture, and other much needed baby/toddler items. While at the Babe Store, families will enjoy connecting with other families through our classes, playdates, support groups, and other relevant activities.

The second way that we promote these values is through relationship and education. When a family walks through the doors of Babe, we begin by creating a relationship with them. We connect them to resources in our county that they may not know about that will help support good health and education as they raise their children. We also provide educational opportunities through storytime, art classes, and other educational opportunities. Babe is connected with Purdue Extention, Parkview Hospital, and Area Five Programming. More educational opportunites will be created as we continue to expand and grow our organization.

Babe is a county-wide service. Anyone who has children between the ages of 0 to 5-years-old. Pregnant women are also eligible to receive services. Babe is not income based. All families of all income levels and backgrounds are welcome! We do not discriminate against race, gender, religion, sexuality, or age of the parent. Services may begin at pregnancy but will end as soon as the child turns 5.

All of the items in our boutique are brand new! Coupons can be redeemed for:

• Diapers

• Wipes

• Baby Personal Hygiene Products

• Clothing; including socks and underwear

• Cribs

• Crib Mattresses

• Strollers

• Car Seats

• Bottle drying racks

No. All items offered in the boutique can only be obtained by earning coupons issued through different vendors partnered with Babe. You can earn coupons by participating in Babe's programming or playing in our playroom. A list of vendors and the coupons' backs will be posted on our website.

Babe will accept gently used items and leftover unused diapers. All second-hand items are given away for free in our Sharing Room. We do not accept any food items. If you are in need of formula, check out F.I.S.H. or the Life Center.

Our Sharing Room has become very popular. Anyone is welcome to take clothing or items from our used section. There is no limit on the number of items that can be taken. Patrons can come every day we are open.

We accept open diaper packages, provided that the diapers are unused and in their original condition. This way, we can ensure the safety and hygiene of the items we distribute.

We do not give out coupons in exchange for donations. The coupons are part of an incentive program for receiving services in our community.

Our Thursday morning activities are a unique blend of diverse topics and flexible schedules. Starting at 10:30, these classes are designed to cater to various interests. Some activities may even extend beyond the morning, offering a full-day learning experience. We curate a full set of montly activites, ensuring a fresh and exciting learning journey for everyone.

Each month, we offer three items that are permanently on our schedule. These include a The Block Party, Crafts with Kathy, and Spanish Storytime. These classes are a staple in our schedule, offering a consistent and reliable learning experience for our participants.

Tuesdays

Our Tuesday mornings are not set in stone. We are working to add programming. Currently, we have been adding outdoor programming for the summer. Check out our calendar for up-to-date activities.

Thursdays

1st Thursday- Block Party. This is an activity where your child can build with several different blocks.

2nd Thursday- TBA. We leave this Thursday open for guests from the community to do a program

3rd Thursday- Crafts with Kathy

4th Thursday- Spanish Storytime. This is a unique and special storytime! The Storytime is offered almost entirely in Spanish. This is an excellent opportunity for your child to be exposed to a second language. Don't worry if your family doesn't speak Spanish. Very young children have Neural pathways that allow them to quickly pick up on a second language.

We recently added a new opportunity for families to receive education on budgeting and finances. Dan Gehle, a financial advisor for Thrivent, is offering financial classes that you can take in your home! You can receive a Babe coupon just for signing up. To receive your Babe coupon, you need to come into Babe.

Another new and exciting program that will soon be added to our calendar are parenting classes. Thanks to a generous grant from the Lily Endowment Foundation, Babe will be offering an evidence based parenting course through Brightpoint. More details will be announced on our social media platform.

Other programs that are occasionally offered:

Potty Training

Meal Planning

Grandparent Support

As we continue to grow, develop, and gather a more significant following, the program side of Babe will continue to evolve. We started small, but with your support and feedback, we are confident in our ability to adapt and improve. We are committed to setting up programming that not only fits the needs of our community but better fits the needs of the families we serve. Stay tuned to see how we continue to grow and develop, always with your needs in mind.

Businesses in Wabash County benefit from partnering with Babe because they are promoted through the voucher system.

When families come to Babe, we liken our system to going to the arcade. We ask them to consider going to the arcade and playing the games. Once they have played a game, they receive tickets. Once finished, they take all their collected tickets and turn them into the prize booth. We explain to families that we are like their adult prize booth. However, instead of getting penny candy, they get things they need for their babies.

People's looks when they hear "Adult Prize Booth" are incredible! Usually, their first question is, "Where else can I go to get coupons?"

Babe is, in every sense and purpose, a store. The only difference is that you cannot use cash to purchase items. You must collect coupons to get the things you want and need. You cannot use cash! And we have a REALLY COOL boutique. When people finally understand what we are and how we can benefit them, they want to collect the coupons.

Therefore, the coupon program creates a desire in families to follow through with appointments, attend storytime at the library, attend parent-teacher conferences, and take their kids to the museum. Parents are paid for doing what they should already be doing as good parents. And now, businesses are reaping the benefits of having more business. We're helping companies and organizations serve the community.

Need more evidence? Between April and August 2021, Babe issued 1,700 coupons to businesses and organizations. By October 2021, Babe had given out an additional 4,300 coupons to companies and their clients. Within three years, vendors have passed out over 15,000 coupons, and Babe has served over 300 families in and outside Wabash County. The program is working! People are seeking opportunities to collect more coupons.

Are you interested in becoming a vendor? Contact our Community Outreach Coordinator, Amy Kissel, at amy.kissel@babeofwabashcounty.org.

Babe of Wabash County not only provides families with essential baby items, but also fosters a sense of community and support. These items can be earned through participating in activities that good parents should already be doing. However, in addition to meeting a financial need, Babe has evolved into a hub that offers connections through relationships between family to family, family to the Babe, and family to the community, making everyone feel connected and valued.

In the article' Partnering with Families and Communities,' Dr. Joyce Epstein and Karen Salinas emphasize the transformative power of collaboration. They point out that educators, students, parents, and community partners who work together to improve students' learning opportunities will set the stage for young people to have a more successful outcome in school. (Epstein & Salinas, 2004.) The National Education Association echoes this sentiment, stating in its article 'Parent, Family, and Community Involvement in Education,' 'Parent, family, and community involvement correlates with higher academic performance and school improvement.' (NEA, 2008) This inspiring message underscores the potential for positive change when we all come together.

Babe of Wabash County is another positive influence in the community, working with schools and families. As Dr. Epstein points out, this collaboration is essential to creating success for all future students. To do this, intervention needs to happen before the baby is born. We also hope to help make connections that give families roots so they stay and flourish, which will help create stability for the family unit and the community. By providing one place in town that serves as a platform for organizations to teach parenting and educational classes to both parents and children, host various support groups that provide for the emotional well-being of parents, and offer baby items to families who need financial support as a motivational tool, Babe will help tie together family, school, and community in an ecosystem which has proven to be essential critical components to raising healthy, secure, stable, caring, and charitable (future) young adults.

Babe is 100% community-supported and grant funded. We depend on supporters like you to donate both funds and items to ensure we can promote good health, education, and connection.

You can donate with cash, check, or credit card. We've offered a link to donate to Babe on our website. It is through our account at the Community Foundation of Wabash County.

We can also send you an invoice through the Square.

Our address is

Babe of Wabash County

88 West Hill St

Wabash, IN 46992

All donations receive a thank you letter and a tax receipt. For more information about becoming a financial partner, contact us at info@babeofwabashcounty.org or katey.till@babeofwabashcounty.org.

Absolutely! We’d love to have you! Volunteer opportunities are always in need. Please contact our Executive Director, Katey Till to find out how you can become a part of the Babe family. All volunteers must submit an application and a background check for the safety of our littlest patrons.

Yes, but with some restrictions. Let's clear up the eligibility-- outside residents can only earn coupons with some of our vendors. Certain vendors are located outside of Wabash County but are the only service providers (for their area of focus) for Wabash. Examples of these providers include Healthy Families and First Steps. Only Wabash County residents can earn coupons from partnered vendors whose headquarters are outside of Wabash County. If a vendor is located inside of Wabash County, then anyone both inside and outside can earn coupons for services.

Babe of Wabash County is located at the corner of Hill and Miami St in Wabash, IN. The address is below.

88 W. Hill St. Wabash, IN 46992

No. Babe is a facility that nurtures the connection between parents and children for the child's benefit. You must remain with your child at all times. Children can not be left unattended in the playroom or any other area of Babe.