Women recognized for transformative impact on South Jersey communities

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By LUCIA C. DRAKE, Staff Writer Apr 30, 2014 Updated Jun 19, 2019 

Three women - each recognized for her "transforming" social and civil effect on the community - were honored during the 31st Annual Black Leadership and Scholarship Awards Luncheon sponsored by 101 Women Plus, Inc.

Pastor Robbin Bell-Hargrove, Indra Owens and Cookie Till each exemplify this year's theme, "transformation."

"Romans 12:2: Be transformed by the renewing of your mind," Sharone E. Jackson, president of the organization, told those gathered for the event at the Atlantic City Country Club in Northfield.

Bell-Hargrove transforms the lives of new mothers through her ministry, A-HEART, which provides baby supplies for new mothers; Owens transforms the lives of young ladies through Princess, Inc., a mentoring organization for teenage girls; and Till transforms the land and peoples' lives through the A Work in Progress Foundation, Jackson explained.

For their commitment to the community, Owens and Bell-Hargrove each received the Black Image Award, while Till received the Community Service Award.

Bell-Hargrove is founder/CEO of the Atlantic City-based A-HEART organization, a mentoring and support network for teen mothers that partners with community members and organizations to advocate for the lives of infants and their families.

Owens is founder of the Atlantic City-based Princess, Inc. organization, a mentoring program for teenage girls of color to help them make good choices in life."

To be honored with the black image award is indeed a compliment," Owens said in an interview. " The God in me is shining through, and I'm forever grateful to God for such a vision and task as Princess Inc., and especially for the team he sent me who work to make Princess Inc. the best program for our youth."

Till, the owner of Steve and Cookie's By the Bay restaurant in Margate, is the president and founder of A Work in Progress Foundation. A lifelong resident of the area with a passion for giving back to the community, Till has partnered with schools, churches, youth organizations and community volunteers to develop gardens and educational programs to teach the nutritional benefits of adding fresh, homegrown produce to the diets of the members of the community.

Her latest project is Hamilton Park Project at the Hamilton United Methodist Church in Atlantic City.

Also honored during the luncheon was Minister Landis Archer, who received the Black Rose Award for her dedication to the organization, Jackson said. Archer currently serves the as treasurer of 101 Women Plus, Inc.

The guest speaker for the event was Atlantic City native Brenda McCullough, a woman "who understands the impact of transformation," said Jackson.

McCullough went from serving as a general manager for a cable television system in Bucks County, Pa., to a career as a commercial, industrial and voiceover actress. Her credits include television commercials, independent films and radio spots.

A 1971 graduate of Atlantic City High School, McCullough serves as a role model for residents of her hometown, Jackson said.

Also during the luncheon, two graduating seniors from Atlantic City High School were awarded scholarships to continue their higher education.

Receiving the 23rd Dorothie W. Dorrington Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 was Ty'Desha N. Barley. The 6th Joseph Jacobs, Esq. Scholarship for $750 was awarded to Siarra Y. Palmer-Reynolds.

Entertainment was provided by Judah Dorrington and Paradise.

Posted by Atlantic City Press - Read the Original Article

Group Helps Mothers Provide for Their Babies

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By DIANE D'AMICO, Staff Writer Jan 27, 2014 Updated Aug 10, 2020 

When a baby is hungry, it can't wait for bureaucracy to provide food. But a call to AHEART in Atlantic City can provide an immediate emergency supply of formula.

But that's only if they have formula in stock."

The one thing we always need is formula," said Robbin Bell, founder and CEO of AHEART, which provides diapers, formula and other infant clothing and furniture items from its small location in Gordon's Alley, and new locations in Vineland and Clayton, Gloucester County.

AHEART stands for All Hearts Educating, Advocating, Restoring, Transforming. Bell started the nonprofit organization in 2008 after working as a court-appointed special advocate in Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties, where she saw families struggling and children who were abused and neglected. AHEART works with doctors, hospitals and social service agencies to help new mothers provide for their infants.

The group has partnered with the Cuddle Me Program diaper bank which along with private donations keeps it well stocked with diapers, Bell said. AHEART is also partially supported by the Reliance Foundation of Reliance Med-ical Group as part of its community outreach. Private donors, clubs and church groups help maintain the clothing and baby supply boutique.But formula, because of its cost, is always in demand and hard to keep in stock. Not all mothers are able or encouraged to breastfeed, Bell said. Some of the babies have low birth weight or spent time in the neonatal intensive care unit and need supplemental formula, she added."

We are down to about 25 cans," Bell said. The Atlantic City site currently helps about 50 mothers a month, and has opened new sites at the Golden Gate Child Care Centers in Vineland and Clayton. She said the group can always use volunteers to help staff the sites.

While there are agencies that help new mothers, if the mothers have not registered before giving birth, there can be a delay in getting services. And while other agencies offer healthcare services, they typically don't provide the physical items mothers need such as diapers, clothing and furniture, Bell said.  

AHEART keeps a shelf of so-called BURP, or "Baby Urgent Response Program" bags, that include a supply of baby essentials that can be immediately delivered to hospitals, police or social service workers. She said baby care items such as lotions and diaper rash creams are also always in demand."

We need to be the safety net," Bell said. "I don't want to turn any mother away because we don't have formula."

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Atlantic City recognizes Infant Mortality Awareness Day

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ATLANTIC CITY - Posted: Sep 26, 2013 9:27 PM EDT by Staff Writer

Atlantic City recognized Infant Mortality Awareness Day Thursday, and a local organization held a special memorial to those who have lost infants.

"A– HEART" and the Reliance Foundation hosted the memorial service to recognize all of the so–called infant angels; babies who died suddenly.

A major aspect of "A HEART's" mission is to help lessen the number of deaths due to sudden infant death syndrome and other causes.

Robbin Bell, the  founder of  "A HEART" stated, "So our goal is to be able to get all the information that we can to individuals to make sure we don't lose another baby in our city."

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Parents get donated supplies in wake of Sandy

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ATLANTIC CITY - Dec 13, 2012 7:05 PM EST by Ryan Ross

A local non–profit organization did its part Thursday afternoon to make sure parents had all the supplies they need for the holidays in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

The Reliance Foundation and A.H.E.A.R.T. partnered to provide parents with donated items ranging from clothing and diapers to toys and baby formula. 

"Every single thing has been donated, that's probably one of the most powerful things about this. The South Jersey hospitality of being able to come together, stand together and meet the needs of our infants in crisis," said Reliance Foundation A.H.E.A.R.T. executive director and founder Robbin Bell.

The annual "Rattle the Holidays" event held at the Victory First Presbyterian Church took on increased meaning this year as families still recover from Sandy.

"It's very great for people who need help with situations and can't exactly get everything they need. They help us with clothes and diapers, toys and formula and stuff to help with the babies," said Beonica Gaskill, a mother of three.

"We lost our power, some of the toys and clothes got wet, shoes got damaged, windows got broken so it really helps to get donated stuff from other people," said mother of two Tieina Cruz.

Dozens of volunteers helped distribute the items and representatives from A.H.E.A.R.T. say people, churches and businesses donated the supplies which included 25,000 diapers.

Representatives from A.H.E.A.R.T. say the community jumped at the opportunity to help children in the wake of sandy.

"Everything is always donated, but this is the largest magnitude of denotations we have ever had. We're excited to be in this position, to be able to help those infants," said Bell.

Today's Rattle the Holidays was open to all of those in need and event organizers say no one was turned away.

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Atlantic City group makes sure babies have what they need

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By DIANE D’AMICO Education Writer Dec 8, 2012 Updated Aug 10, 2020 

Love can go a long way toward helping a baby thrive, but love can’t buy diapers or formula or a crib to sleep in.For that, there is AHEART, a small nonprofit group in Atlantic City dedicated to helping at-risk babies and toddlers by providing their caregivers with formula, diapers, baby clothes and furniture.Tucked into a tiny shop in Gordon’s Alley and supported by the Reliance Medical Group’s Reliance Foundation, AHEART intentionally looks like a baby boutique.“

I wanted it to be someplace I would want to come to if I needed help,” CEO and founder Robbin Bell, of Atlantic City, said.

AHEART stands for All Hearts Educating, Advocating, Restoring, Transforming. Bell started the organization in 2008 after working as a court-appointed special advocate for Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties, where she saw children abused and neglected, and watched families struggle to stay together. AHEART works with doctors, hospitals and social service agencies to give new mothers the tools they need to provide for their children.“You would go into court and hear these terrible stories,” said the mother of two daughter adopted through foster care. “And there weren’t many organizations geared to helping infants.”The need is especially great in southern New Jersey. The 2012 Kids Count profiles rank Atlantic and Cumberland as the two worst counties for children. Twenty percent of children in Atlantic County live in poverty. More than 60 percent of families spend more than 30 percent of their income on rent, leaving little left over for diapers.

Nine percent of babies were born to mothers ages 10-19 in 2008, the most recent year for which data is available, and some of those mothers have no family support system to help them.

Tysheba Salisbury, 19, just had her second child, Vashawn Boyd, two months ago. The staff at AHEART cuddled him on Wednesday while his brother, Treyvon Hill, 2, eyed the toys in the boutique, zeroing in on a car and a large red ball.Salisbury, a native of Delaware, was referred to AHEART through Covenant House in Atlantic City, an agency that assists homeless teens.“

They helped me the same day,” she said. “I got diapers and wipes. They’ve been a blessing ever since.”

Bell said while other agencies offer health-care services, they don’t provide the physical items mothers need. The group keeps a shelf of so-called BURP, or “Baby Urgent Response Program” bags, that include a supply of baby essentials that can be immediately delivered to hospitals, police or social service workers.Suzanne Walter, director of operations for the South Jersey Perinatal Cooperative said they do in-home visitations to help new mothers learn to care for their babies and make sure they are developing properly. The group has a site in Atlantic City and runs state-supported Healthy Families and Early Intervention programs.“AHEART has been a big boon to our families,” Walter said.Bell said AHEART helps about 150 babies a month, most from Atlantic City and county, but also surrounding areas. That number has grown since Hurricane Sandy, which displaced many families who lost what little they did have.“

We are pushing to keep up with the demand,” Bell said.The upstairs conference room, where they do parenting workshops, houses donated diapers. A group of about 11 volunteers, including Bell’s daughter, Zinia Hargrove, of Atlantic City, work daily to help local families.

Joy Butler, of Landisville, and friend Earl Beiermeistier Jr. have been taking food and baby items to families still living in motels. Butler started volunteering at the storm shelters in Buena Vista Township, heard about AHEART there, and has just kept helping.Bell began AHEART by hosting baby showers where participants were asked to bring an item for a baby.“

For a year, I just collected stuff from the showers,” she said.She first opened in space at Cape Bank in 2009 but got so busy that in April of this year moved to the group’s current location in Gordon’s Alley. Clayton Storage donated space to store furniture, and several area churches and sororities provide fundraising support and donations.

Dr. Jon Regis, president of Reliance Medical Group, said the Reliance Foundation is an offshoot of the community work it was already doing. The group has 13 offices in Atlantic County, and set up and ran emergency clinics in Atlantic City during and after Hurricane Sandy. He said they have used Bell as a resource for under-insured mothers, and are happy to give her some financial and administrative support.“

AHEART is just one example of what we plan to do in the community,” he said.Its next event is targeting families still struggling to recover from Hurricane Sandy. The Reliance Foundation and AHEART will hold Rattle the Holidays with AHEART by providing emergency supplies to families with infants and young children up to age 2 in Atlantic and surrounding counties.

Posted by Press of Atlantic City - Read the Original Article

A Local Group Tackles High Infant Mortality Rate

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ATLANTIC CITY - Oct 18, 2012 5:49 PM EDT by Staff Writer

Each picture tells a harrowing story. A baby born into poverty, addiction and abuse. Trying to survive, trying not to become one of the 650 infants who die each year in New Jersey before their 3rd birthday. 

"Hearing about the statistics and knowing it we just wanted to bring attention to the community and see how we can bring as coming together as one and make an impact on this community," said Minister Robbin Bell, President of A HEART.

Minister Robbin Bell formed a non-profit organization called A HEART, which stands for All Hearts Educating Advocating and Restoring and Transforming. And today marks their first anniversary. The group held a candlelight vigil at the Soldier's Home in Atlantic City, and the community showed up to show their support.

"I was really (gasp) affected by the heart. I've lost two kids. I'm blessed for the two that I have. And I also had the opportunity to get information and to pass it on."

According to A-HEART majority of infants under two have higher incidents of abuse. And every day in New Jersey 1,153 babies are born to teen mothers. 

Although the statistics are alarming, Minister Bell says the solution is not that difficult.

"We can be able to provide diapers and go to the Dollar Store and pick up items that show an act of love and kindness and give young people hope that someone cares for them," said Bell.

The Kaiser Family Foundation reports Infant mortality rates in minority communities are disproportionately higher than those in white communities. A HEART is funded through donations and everyone here is a volunteer. If a person receives help from the program they are encouraged to pay it forward. 

"If they receive infant clothes then what we ask of them is for them to take good care of it and bless someone else. So it keeps it going and then they feel empowered that they're not just receiving but they are taught how to give," said Bell.

Although there are programs available for expectant mothers who need assistance. Atlantic City Councilman Mo Delgado says A HEART is vital to the community. 

Right now it's essential. Because there's too many times where resources aren't readily available for children. We have fabulous programs like WIC and things like this...but they fill that gap," said Delgado.

A HEART fills the gap so New Jersey babies survive childhood and live normal lives.

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A Heart helps parents, babies in A.C.

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By FELICIA COMPIAN, Staff Writer Oct 6, 2010 Updated Jun 19, 2019

KEITH CLACK, 34, OF ATLANTIC CITY, DIRECTED A QUESTION ABOUT INFANT HEALTH TO DR. PEGGY SOLOMON-BERGEN, OF NORTHFIELD, WHO IS A DOCTOR AT SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY FAMILY MEDICAL CENTERS, INC. IN ATLANTIC CITY. TO HIS LEFT WAS HIS WIFE, LOLA, 19, WHO IS PREGNANT. PRESS PHOTO BY STEFANIE CAMPOLO

Expectant parents received new diaper bags stuffed with baby needs along with free advice last week during a community baby shower hosted by A Heart Family Service Center.Inside Atlantic City's All Wars Memorial Building on Adriatic Avenue, rectangular tables were piled high with baby bottles, diapers, baby oil, formula and sandwich trays. In the center of the room, round tables were covered in blue and pink tablecloths and adorned with teddy bears, balloons and baby-themed confetti.

But this was no ordinary baby shower. Organizers were on a mission."We're here to raise awareness for infant mortality," A Heart President and CEO Robbin Bell told attendees. "Too many black and Hispanic infants are dying before their first birthday."

New Jersey State Health Assessment Data from the state Department of Health and Senior Services shows that black infants had a higher mortality rate than any other racial group in New Jersey from 2000 to 2005, the most recent year for which data was available. The highest rate in that period was 13.4 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2001 and the lowest was 10.8 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2004. Hispanic infants followed with a high of 6.1 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2002 and a low of 4.5 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2005.

Ron Cash, of the Atlantic City Health Department, said infant mortality is a critical measure of how healthy a population is overall. Atlantic County was among the three worst counties in the state for 2001-05, with a rate of 8.9 deaths per 1,000 live births from 2000 to 2005. Only Cumberland and Camden counties ranked lower, with 10.9 and 9.7 deaths per 1,000 live births, respectively.But Bell said mothers of every racial group have walked through her door needing help."

Babies are our future and we need to be of one heart and one accord to save these babies," Bell said, indicating the meaning behind the organization's name. "If we don't save them, who knows what the future will be? We can't just discard these children because their parents made a mistake. And they're not all black and Hispanic babies, but they're all beautiful babies in need of clean diapers and formula."

Bell said she founded A Heart almost two years ago to provide emergency assistance to needy mothers and babies. The organization conducts intake interviews in a donated space inside Cape Bank on Tennessee and Pacific avenues in Atlantic City on Tuesdays and Thursdays. But donations of new and gently used baby items can be dropped off during regular business hours six days per week. Monetary donations also are accepted by any teller inside the bank.

A shed at the Center for Unbroken Praise in the English Creek section of Egg Harbor Township serves as a boutique where needy mothers can shop. Open only to parents involved with the program, "boutique bucks" are awarded to parents for completing a parenting workshop or volunteering.

Bell said the boutique may provide desperate mothers an avenue besides shoplifting to provide for their children.

The organization recently received its 501(c)3 designation, but Bell said she avoids depending on state aid, to ensure that the group survives tough financial times. A Heart is funded through individual donations from the community.

How to help: A Heart is an independent, nonprofit organization with a twofold goal: to provide emergency assistance to needy infants, and to educate parents on proper care techniques.

It's easy to host a baby shower at your home, community center or house of worship. Invite friends and family, shop for baby-related items, then contact A Heart.

A Heart networks with other agencies such as Covenant House and Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies to bring speakers such as Atlantic City's first lady Nynell Langford and pediatricians to answer questions about neonatal care, nutrition and health.

Posted on Press of Atlantic City - Click Here to Read the Article

Looking out for the needs of every baby

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A.C. woman forms group to provide for infants at risk

By MICHELLE LEE, Staff Writer Dec 24, 2009 Updated Jun 20, 2019 

ATLANTIC CITY - The first thing that catches one's eye in the Cape Bank conference room are the children's pictures attached to teddy bears. The children range from newborns to 3-year-olds, and each one has a sad story.

Bella was born with an addiction to methamphetamine. Raymond was separated from his family after his parents got arrested. Paul was abandoned in a high school bathroom.While the photos displayed at the Pacific Avenue bank are not of actual children in need, for confidentiality reasons, Robbin Bell said the biographies are from real-life families that she is trying to help through a new charitable group she started earlier this year called A HEART, or All Hearts Educating, Advocating, Restoring and Transforming. The group has been collecting baby clothing, diapers and other items at the bank to help four families from Atlantic, Cumberland and Salem counties, Bell said recently.Bell, an Atlantic City resident, is a former recruiter and trainer for the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties, an organization in which volunteers are appointed by judges to help abused or neglected children in foster care.Bell, who worked for CASA from January 2007 to March, said she "couldn't sleep at night" sometimes because of the stories she heard about family court disputes, and she decided to start A HEART to help teenage mothers, grandparents and other people struggling to raise babies because of hardships such as drugs, incarceration and mental health issues."

My life got in gear to do this ... listening to CASA family court (cases) gave me a rude awakening, and I heard too many grandparents show up and want to keep the family together and didn't have the resources," Bell said. "

It was heartbreaking."

The issue of helping at-risk children also touched Bell on a personal note; she previously founded Zelphy's day care and performing arts center in Millville and adopted two daughters through foster care.

Bell said she started the "grass-roots, faith-based" volunteer group in April and it has held five baby showers over the course of the year at In His Image Ministry in Pleasantville, St. James Bible Deliverance in Egg Harbor City, a Galloway house, New Hope Baptist Church in Atlantic City and Calvary Chapel in Vineland.

Her ultimate goal is to create an infant resource center and eventually open a special boutique and diaper bank where families in need can shop for baby and toddler necessities."

The important thing about this is we don't want anyone to think of this as a hand-out, but a hand-up," Bell said.  Darren Mitchell, the Cape Bank branch manager and assistant vice president, said the company is allowing A HEART to use their office space because they think it is a good cause that could help the community out. The group's mission to help at-risk infants "was just an amazing concept and a great fit for us," said Jeff Ropiecki, Cape Bank's vice president of marketing.

Some of the A HEART volunteer work has been a family affair. Bell's daughter, Zinia Hargrove, and sister-in-law, Ernestine Bell, have been helping out. The other volunteers are Rondell Showell, a minister at St. James Bible Deliverance; Risti Talbott, a CASA volunteer; and Cathy Gardner, a volunteer at Calvary Chapel.Eunice Mack, a member of Second Baptist Church who volunteers for prison ministry at the Atlantic County jail, said there is a strong need for A HEART's service. Mack, who is Showell's mother, said she referred two families to the group. In one case, the mother is in county jail and her baby is being raised by a family advocate in New York City, Mack said. The other family, which is connected to Second Baptist Church, is headed by a single mother with her fifth child on the way."

I think it's a great idea because there is so many single women who cannot afford the things they need once they have these babies, even before, the care (involved) or knowing to go to the doctor," Mack said of A HEART. "

I think Robbin's group will provide these things before and after so they can keep these babies and take care of them."

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