Berrien Community Foundation is proud to join Berrien County Health Department, Corewell Health Lakeland and The Sam Fund to invest in healthy babies through the launch of Rx Kids, a direct cash assistance program supporting new moms as they navigate the expense of welcoming a baby.
Successfully piloted in other Michigan communities, Rx Kids received bipartisan support to expand into high‑needs areas, with the state covering 90% of program costs. The Sam Fund led efforts to secure the local match.
“As far as we’re concerned, Rx Kids is great news for Berrien County,” said Alan Mussman, Sam Fund advisor. “We all do better when we all do better.”
For the next three years, moms residing in the cities of Benton Harbor, Niles and Buchanan, and Benton Charter Township could benefit from the program. See sidebar for more information.
“When families have the resources they need to meet their basic needs, they make amazing choices,” said Alyssa Stewart, Rx Kids director of philanthropic partnerships.
Local mom Candious Clabin will benefit from the program. “With us being first-time parents, there are a lot of unexpected expenses we are trying to prepare for. When I learned of this program, I knew it was going to help us in so many ways.”
As the fiscal agent, BCF is investing over $95,000 and is calling on the community to support moms and babies now.
“With enough funding, we can grow this program to lift up even more moms and babies,” said BCF President Lisa Cripps-Downey.
To learn more or to support the program, visit www.berriencommunity.org/rxkids.
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