Westhab awarded a $200,000 grant from Mother Cabrini Health Foundation to Support Children in Shelter

Westhab is thrilled to announce that we have been awarded a generous grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation to further support our Bright Beginnings Program. This funding enables us to expand our efforts to support families experiencing homelessness, particularly those with young children, and ensure they have the resources they need to thrive.

What is the Bright Beginnings Program?

Launched in 2022, the Bright Beginnings Program is a dual-generation initiative designed to support families with children under five who are living in shelters. The program focuses on ensuring that young children reach crucial developmental milestones, while also empowering caregivers—many of whom are young, single mothers—to build stronger, more stable families. Building on the success of the pilot, the funding enabled us to expand the program to a second family shelter in the Bronx, allowing us to support more residents and better address their basic needs.

Westhab staff witness firsthand how entering the homeless system disrupts families, especially their youngest members.  Nicole Mylan, Assistant Vice President, NYC Shelters, who oversees the family centers where Bright Beginnings takes place, shared how the program affects participating families,

“We are incredibly grateful for the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation’s partnership and commitment to addressing the needs of vulnerable families. Many parents arrive at our shelters grappling with trauma while trying to care for their children. While we work tirelessly to address immediate needs like housing, employment, and health services, there are often limited resources available to focus on the unique needs of children. The Bright Beginnings Program helps us bridge that gap by providing specialized support to both children and caregivers during a critical time.”

Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is working with community partners like us to further their mission and commitment to the health and well-being of New

Yorkers. Kimberley Chin, Senior Program Officer at The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, added “Supporting grantmaking programs for children and families experiencing homelessness in New York means offering them hope, stability, and a chance for a brighter future. By funding safe housing, education, and essential care we can help families rebuild their lives with dignity and ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive.”

A Comprehensive Approach to Family Support

The Bright Beginnings Program stands out for its holistic, family-centered approach. Early Childhood Specialists (ECSs) work on-site directly with children under five years old and their parents to promote emotional well-being, stability, and healthy development. Through consistent engagement and education, ECSs help caregivers understand developmental milestones, improve parenting techniques, and support their children in overcoming the trauma of homelessness.

This program goes beyond just addressing the immediate needs of families—it’s about fostering long-term stability. By integrating early childhood development strategies with services like healthcare, education, and mental health support, we’re helping families build the foundation they need to thrive. 

Odette Valdez has served as Senior ECS for Bright Beginnings since its start. Her passion shines through when she talks about what the program has accomplished, “This project became more than what it was intended to be. The first cohort confirmed what we already knew –it is impossible to serve just one member of the household and we must take a holistic approach if we want to make a real impact. In the last cohort, we served a mother of six. Mom was overwhelmed, in shelter, and needed access to basic healthcare and mental health services so she could stabilize herself. Once she started to take care of the basics, she was able to better focus on the needs of her children and help them meet their milestones. Even the relationship between Mom and her mother has changed. The point is to have these ripple effects and to break the generational cycle of homelessness and poverty.”

The results of our pilot year were encouraging, with 50 adults and 39 children referred to a variety of services including medical and dental; counseling or behavioral support;  job training or referrals; and educational services, including English or High School Equivalency programs for parents and occupational

therapy and development of Individualized Educational Program (IEP) for children. Families were also assisted with accessing benefits, securing childcare services, and closing open cases with the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS). Odette has seen all the Bright Beginnings families move out of the shelter. She continues to keep in touch. “These women, they are working, they are in their homes, they invite me to see their kid’s baseball games. The transformation has been real!”

The Need for Early Childhood Support in Shelter Settings

Studies show that nearly 75% of homeless children under age five exhibit at least one major developmental delay, particularly in areas like impulsivity or speech. Alarmingly, nearly 44% have two or more major developmental delays.  Unfortunately, many families struggle to access the services their children need. Early intervention programs can make a big difference by improving health and development. But without easy access to these programs, many children remain vulnerable.

With the support of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, the Bright Beginnings Program is addressing these challenges by providing families with the resources and tools they need to promote healthier development and ensure their children are prepared for a brighter future.

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About Mother Cabrini Health Foundation:

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of New Yorkers, bolster the health outcomes of vulnerable communities, eliminate barriers to care, and bridge gaps in health services. Named after a tireless advocate for immigrants, children, and the poor, the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation funds programs and initiatives across New York State that either provide direct healthcare services or address the social determinants of health. For more information, visit cabrinihealth.org.