Nonprofit offers aid to families in need with very young kids

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- An area nonprofit is working to help families with very young children.
Stepping Stone provides necessary items for the care of babies from birth to three years old for under-resourced families that are struggling to pay rent, utilities and other bills.
“We provide the resources every young child needs,” said Ashely Schneider, Executive Director at Stepping Stone. “We’re set up to help children anywhere from newborn to age three. Some may even be days old and leaving the hospital. That means we provide diapers/wipes, new and gently used baby clothes, coats, shoes, strollers, car seats, and pack ‘n’ plays.”
The organization relies on donations of items and financial support from private donors as well as grant funding.
Schneider says the nonprofit, which was founded in 2021, works with a network of local agencies, shelters, hospitals and others to identify families and children who need help.
Stepping Stone also has partnerships with ReadyKids, International Neighbors, and the University of Virginia Health System, which means families and children can get more than just clothes, diapers and car seats. They can also get mental health counseling, early education intervention, at-home wellness visits, refugee relocation aid and more.
For more information on Stepping Stone, click here.