I've been volunteering with PSC for about two years and have seen it grow from a scrappy situation in a storage facility to a beautiful, warm and welcoming center for families to gather and connect.
What hasn't changed is the commitment to greeting and treating each family with dignity, compassion and community. We're there to help a family at their most vulnerable time, when they welcome a new baby.
I'm so proud of the work, and in awe of the tireless and creative Ivana, Wendy, Erika and Mary Lou, and all of the volunteers and advisors.
My family and I are thankful to a Postpartum Support Center for being a valuable resource we rely on for our child and family needs. I also appreciate their annual Walkformoms campaign. I recognize their responsibility that the organization has towards the community in raising awareness for a needy families.
The PPSC is an amazing gift to our community. It can be so isolating to be a new mother, especially one who doesn't have a strong support network or is struggling financially. PPSC helps on all levels by providing the counseling, education, social support groups, help with diapers, baby and toddler clothes, and all of the myriad items that can make life so much easier with babies and young children-- strollers, bassinets, diaper bags, etc.... These things have all been donated by families who have outgrown them, and it's beautiful to see the happiness when they are turned over to someone who needs them. Ivana, who started the organization is truly an angel on earth! She's built PPSC from her apartment, to one, then two, then 6 storage spaces, and finally, with the help of a First Five grant, to a Center with counseling rooms, a larger support group meeting room, a play area and a distribution room where all the donated items are organized and displayed for distribution days that are a scene of beautifully organized chaos of the loveliest sort!
I had my first child in April and the Pospartum Support Center has been a lifeline for me during a time that I’ve desperately needed it. I’ve never been one to reach out to people I don’t know, but when I went to donate some formula, I was immediately drawn to the Center. Everyone is just absolutely welcoming. As cliche as it sounds, it was the first time I realized that I wasn’t alone during my postpartum depression. Through volunteering, I have found a healthy outlet to channel my anxiety and work through the depression. I will be forever grateful to the Postpartum Support Center.
MPPSC is amazing: helping over 200 families with post- partum needs from diapers to clothing to counseling services. This organization is well-run and the facility is welcoming and in a good location. The staff are incredibly helpful, patient, and caring.
Everyone there is so nice and they have helped my family and I so much! I live in a studio with my husband and our two boys. I think what they’re doing is so great and kind. They’ve helped with clothing, diapers, formula, baby gear and so much more! We are so thankful for them and appreciate all that they do!
This nonprofit is run by an amazing group of women, I have had the pleasure of taking part in many of the sorting parties and distrabution days. Not only do they provide such an amazing environment for struggling mothers, but they also create such an incredible environment for their volunteers!!
I started volunteering with PPSC a couple years ago at their diaper banks. Ivana and her team are full of care and love for the communities that they serve. Each volunteer is incredibly thoughtful and dedicated. It is really such a joy to get to experience their passion for supporting families.
Pues agradezco mucho por el esfuerzo q hacen para ayudar a las familias con pañales leche bueno con todo lo q necesita para un bebé pues es de gran ayuda para las familias
West Lopez has been such an amazing help, not only taking the time to make sure all my needs are met, but also making sure she can suggested anything else me or my baby might need. It has been so easy to contact her and be able to communicate with her. Thank you for her and the nonprofit for being an amazing asset to the community and families in need!
Postpartum Support Center helped me through my Postpartum depression. There support groups have been the best for me, there is no better experience then connecting with other moms who are dealing with the same struggles of becoming a first time mom. I always recommend and will continue to recommend PPSC to other families who need extra support. If it wasn't for PPSC I would of felt lost and alone during this stage of motherhood.
I first heard about the Postpartum Support Center through their Marin Diaper Bank program and joined as a volunteer in the monthly distribution for families in need of diapers and baby supplies. To help families in need with the basic necessities during this transformative time in their lives, enables them to focus more on their babies and becoming parents rather than worry about how they will afford expensive diapers and supplies. It is really impactful for the PPSC to help alleviate some of this burden since lack of resources can be a contributing factor to postpartum mood disorders. Another thing that really stands out about the PPSC is the incredible dedication and heart of the founder of PPSC, Ivana. She works so hard and with such passion to help parents feel heard, supported and to thrive. Through the PPSCs support to families throughout the perinatal period, they are creating a stronger, more harmonious community and we are so lucky to have the PPSC a part of our community.
I volunteer for the PPSC helping with the monthly diaper bank and also facilitating a weekly peer support group for postpartum mothers. I have witnessed what a positive impact these free services are making in the lives of families. In every support group I've facilitated, mothers express what a light it is in their week, and how helpful it is to have a safe place to share their challenges and connect with other mothers who understand. This organization is doing important work of building a sustainable culture of community support for new families.
I began volunteering for PPSC shortly after the pandemic began. The need for this nonprofit in Marin keeps growing. Ivana is passionate about helping mothers.
After recently moving to Marin, I found PPSC through some careful Google searching. I experienced multiple traumatic deliveries and know firsthand how important it is to have postpartum help and support. I am so grateful for the existence of PPSC, as a place to connect women and families with the resources they need. The dedication and deep compassion of PPSC volunteers is admirable, and precisely why I've chosen to support them. Finally, I love that PPSC is a local organization as it enables me to have a clear and direct impact within our community.
The Postpartum Support Center and Marin Diaper Bank are invaluable services in Marin County. While volunteering during the monthly distribution days, I am a direct witness to the families benefiting from the free services. I feel honored to be a part of this work. The generous efforts put forth by Ivana, the director, create an atmosphere of good will and kindness. Month by month, the diaper bank is able to reach more and more families. I know as word spreads around Marin this organization will continue to grow and achieve new goals.
Ivana and the Postpartum Support Center could not be more beneficial to our community here in Marin County, CA. I have had the pleasure of working alongside Ivana at the Marin Diaper Bank and she has so much heart for this work. I am so looking forward to seeing this organization grow and reach more and more people throughout the years. Thank you, Ivana and the Postpartum Support Center, for all that you do!
I first heard of Postpartum Support Center PPSC back in 2020 on a Facebook post, where another mom was looking for mental health resources. I was dealing with postpartum depression and had recently started taking medications. In a moment of stress and guilt with my then, 5 year old and newborn, I called the number listed on their facebook page. I was surprised that a live person answered the phone. Yvana Jagodic Meholick, the Founder and Execute Director, spend over an hour with me on the phone. She understood and acknowledge my feelings, and reassure me that it is normal for moms to feel sad, stress, and angry during early and even later months and years of motherhood. She repeatedly remind me that it was not my fault to feel this way, and that I had done nothing wrong to feel guilty. She went on to sharing some of her own experiences as a new mom, and continue to validate my feelings. Through that phone call, I perceived that I had gain a support group, larger than I could imagine. Through PPSC I have been able to access diapers, toys, and clothes for my children in times of need. Yvana was one of the first people I contacted after our apartment got flooded in the summer of 2021. I knew that the group of women who work with Yvana in running PPSC could guided, supported, and cheered me up. PPSC was a tremendous support during our stay at a local hotel while our apartment was repaired. PPSC and the amazing volunteers were able to provide us with warm meals, diapers, and goodies for our girls. They have made a huge impact in our lives; their dedication, love, and determination to help is absolutely noticeable.
I've had the privilege of working with Ivana for the past few months due to my mother-in-laws involvement as a Board Member and wish I heard about PSC sooner. It is a cause that is near and dear to my heart as a woman and recent mother. I know that I am so lucky to be surrounded by friends and family and a deep network of support but I realize what a massive privilege that is. Ivana works tirelessly to support the community and sees herself in every mother that seeks support from PSC. She is empathetic to the cause and the needs of new parents, especially those in underserved communities and I hope to support her and PSC in any way that I can.
The PPSC is an invaluable asset to the Marin County community. I couldn't be more excited to see this organization grow!
I have had the pleasure of working with Ivana, the founder of the Postpartum Support Center and Marin Diaper Bank for the last 7 months.
Her vision to meet the needs of mothers in Marin of every persuasion, is brilliant and her tireless work to meet the needs of families in need is unparalleled.
The monthly distribution is truly an experience to behold. Appts are made on line for each person or family, and their needs and desires are listed. On the day of the event, each person is
"hosted " by a volunteer who speaks their language, and works with them in the selection of diapers, wipes, formula, blankets, maternity care products, baby blankets and clothes suitable for children up to age 12, changing tables, portable bassinets, strollers, toys and books. Once selected they are helped to take the items to their cars. The kindness and respect for every person is palpable.
On one occasion a woman and her teen daughter were walking by the event and offered to help. The daughter soon immersed herself in organizing the reems of items -- and reported that it was the best volunteer opportunity she had ever experienced . The mother was quickly engaged as well, finding the work profoundly purposeful and the warmth, comraderie, and laughter wonderfully rewarding. She asked if she could join when in town.
Far beyond addressing the need of approx 200 children and families per month, Ivana responds to family emergencies of all kinds - delivering what might be needed-- or letting people come to storage to select things when circumstances, fire or flood has left them without basics. This is huge commitment requiring huge strength, determination and stamina .
Postpartum Moms does much much more than what I have mentioned. And Ivana has a truly important vision-- to be the place that mothers - especially new ones can find community, support friendship and answers to questions that can plague and isolate all but especially first time mothers.
I think that this work- has massive potential and in its success- meets a huge and under attended need, effectively promoting truly healthy community.
I write this with greatest respect and admiration,
Tehan Carey
Founder and ED Ivana Meholick has assembled an amazing group of volunteers to move forward the mission of PPSC. In a very short period of time, she has expanded peer counseling, quadrupled the number of moms served, added a resource for families to access basic necessities for their children (diapers, clothing, food), and PPSC is also working with expectant moms to prevent postpartum depression/anxiety through the ROSE program. Ivana is a one-woman power-house: she pivoted at the start of the pandemic to assure all moms who needed help could access PPSC services, and she continues to be dedicated to the clientele PPSC serves. As more funding is secured, PPSC will be able to help even more moms and families. I am proud to be associated with and support this organization.
I can remember clearly someone whom I consider to be family letting me know about this beautiful woman who had begun this work here in Marin county when I was expecting my 4th little one and was experiencing a major depressive episode, although I hesitated to reach out I am so eternally grateful that one day I gathered the courage to call the line , speaking with the founder , I instantly felt a sense of ease and comfort almost like an energetic hug if that makes any sense. I have utilized many of their services including , the peer support group , one on one conversations , the diaper distribution/ supply, and once I was soo happy to receive a care package it arrived at the most opportune moment possible and really helped me. I have no idea where or how I would be doing without this agency / people / community. I was experiencing ppd among some external stressors that were really messing with my quality of life and the center really saved me in ways it’s hard to describe. Having young children in the middle of pandemic when everything has shifted so much is incredibly hard, of course all mother hood is , however these are trying times and I have without a shadow of a doubt that this agency is the life raft in this area to end the stigma about ppd , and really change these families lives , as I know they’ve changed mine. It is such a blessing to know I can pop in and connect and feel heard and seen and validated when things feel so tough and my hormones are still so out of wack! Ivana is as true angel and is doing beautiful work . I believe in their mission and would encourage anyone to volunteer , refer a friend in need , or donate to this agency .