A Baby Center
Providing critical basic baby needs to income eligible families for infants up to age five living on Cape Cod and the Islands.
We serve the youngest in our community, ensuring their good health and safety – without judgment, without regard for religious preference or lack thereof - and at no cost to clients. Thanks to partnerships and generosity, we lessen the financial stress on each family and while enhancing parenting resources.
“1 in 3 babies does not have enough diapers each day to stay clean and dry.”
All babies need their diapers changed 8 to 10 times per day. Many families struggle to afford diapers and wipes. A Baby Center strives to fill in when local, state and federal assistance is just not enough to provide baby essentials to parents of infants living on Cape Cod and the Islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. In addition, our dedicated staff and volunteers provide parenting support programs, nutritional guidance, private consultations, and resource information as well as an on-site visiting nurse.
As available through generous donations, A Baby Center provides diapers, wipes, formula, baby wash, ointments, layette kits, gently used clothing newborn to 5T, baby gear, bathtubs, blankets, bouncy seats, high-chairs, potty chair kits, strollers and new car seats all for free to over 650 infants and toddlers every month. A Baby Center distributes these essentials from our Hyannis headquarters and at ABC Nantucket, and our satellites at Cape Cod Church and Christ the King Church. Our Dottie Program also offers free monthly period supplies to eligible clients and their adolescent teens who are menstruating.
Helping Little
Lives Bloom
Visiting A Baby Center
By Appointment Only
81 Willow Avenue
Hyannis MA
508-771-8157
Robin Hayward, Director
HOURS
Tuesday & Wednesday: 10am-2pm
Thursday: 10am-12pm
SATELLITE LOCATIONS
Christ the King Parish Hall, Mashpee
Wednesday: 10am-12pm
Cape Cod Church, East Falmouth
2nd & 4th Thursday of Each Month: 10am-12pm
Nantucket Family Resource Center
Wednesdays: 10am-1:30pm
A Baby Center gave out 577,350 diapers this fiscal year to support low-income parents raising babies on Cape Cod and the Islands. Diapers go with wipes, and we gave out 2,217,024 individual wipes during 6,322 client visits last year! Thanks to local churches, organizations, individuals, foundations and businesses we were able to support these families!
What can clients expect from our program?
What to Expect
Understanding
One-on-one time with an intake professional to check in and discuss your current needs
Resource assistance
Caring staff and volunteers to assist you as you navigate our center
Who Qualifies?
A Baby Center uses WIC Financial Aid Guidelines to determine if a resident of Cape Cod or the Islands qualifies for services. If you are not a WIC Client, other qualifiers include:
Prospective clients who are at least 30 weeks pregnant
Fostering Parents, Grandparents and Legal Guardians of babies ages 0-5
Active-Duty Military and Veterans
Fuel or Housing Assistance eligible
Free and Reduced Lunch Program eligible
TANF
Proof of Income
Unemployment Status
SNAP
HAC
What You Need to Bring
At each monthly visit, you will need to bring:
For WIC Clients: Dated WIC print out or your up-to-date WIC App
For Non-WIC/Non-Mass Health Clients: Pay stub of your wages from your employer or a current letter from the Department of Transitional Assistance
A valid ID, such as a Driver’s License or Passport
Proof of address on Cape Cod or the Islands, such as a utility bill
DOTTIE
Free Period Supply Support
An Effort to End Period Poverty on Cape Cod & the Islands
The Dottie Program provides free menstrual products to clients of A Baby Center who are in need. We maintain dignity by offering free period supplies and education to eliminate the stigma around periods, menstrual products, and period conversations. Services are provided for free and without regard for religious affiliation.
A Baby Center provides period supplies including but not limited to tampons, pads, liners, hygiene wipes, and panties in an assortment of sizes. Upon program registration, each client will receive a Dottie Welcome Kit – a discrete zipper bag with an assortment of period supplies, two panties, and hygiene wipes. Clients may come back and receive period supplies once every 30 days. You can fill out a discrete needs card at the time of your visit. Items may vary according to available donations.
Donate Goods
Please call (508) 771-8157 to make an appointment to donate goods. We will let you know what items we need at that time.
Donations of clothing are accepted on Mondays from 10am-2pm. Please do not leave donations outside our door when we are not open as they will get thrown out and wasted.
Clothing donations must be freshly washed and have no stains.
Clothing donations must be marked “Winter” or “Summer” and sorted by size.
Period supplies must be new and unopened.
Underwear must be new with tags.
We are always in need of baby wipes, formula, layette items, baby size handmade blankets and quilts, children’s books and non-violent toys (no stuffed animals please).
Program Sponsors
Area Churches
Cape Cod Cooperative Bank
The Cape Cod Foundation
Cape Cod 5
Cape Cod Healthcare
Cape and Islands United Way
The League Club of Cape
Rotary Club of Hyannis
Tracy Volkswagen
Partners
Alliance for Period Supplies
Bombas Socks
Cape Cod Church
Christ the King Church
The National Diaper Bank Network
Alliance for Period Supplies
Baby2Baby
Cape Air
Family Continuity
Nantucket Food Fuel Rental Assistance
Steamship Authority
U by Kotex
WIC
