PEPS Unplugged

~ By Laura Kussick, PEPS Executive Director

As the new Executive Director at PEPS, I look back on 2009 and feel lucky to have spent my days serving new parents, and being surrounded by the blessings and wonder of newborn babies.  Here are some of the things I now know and want to share:

Top 10 things everyone should know about PEPS

• 10) In 2009, PEPS served 2300+ new mothers and fathers in their transition to parenthood!
• 9) One in five new mothers experience post-partum depression, more parents than we think are challenged by a colicky baby, while other new parents often feel isolated,  ill-equipped or stressed due to changes in relationships, finances or lack of sleep.  PEPS serves as a safety net for parents addressing all these new parenting challenges.

• 8) PEPS has been the leader for parent peer support in King County, building neighborhood based communities, based on parent education and mutual support for 27 YEARS!!
• 7) PEPS also offers Baby Peppers Groups for parents of babies 5 months to 12 months old and Little Peppers Groups for parents of a toddler and newborn!
• 6) PEPS offers supplemental support groups for parents of preemies and LGBT, with more support groups coming soon!
• 5)  With the help from on-going grant support from The Boeing Company, PEPS continues to expand its services into Snohomish County!
• 4)  PEPS offers a way for on-going PEPS Groups to stay connected and informed through PEPSnet, our on-line social networking site!
• 3) In August 2009, PEPS produced our first ever children’s music festival, PEPSapalooza, held in Woodinville, featuring Caspar Babypants, The Not It's, Ian Dobson along with other great performers.  It was so successful that we can’t wait to see you there on August 21, 2010!
• 2) On March 4, 2010, PEPS will hold our 12th Annual Benefit Lunch at Seattle Center Fisher Pavilion, hosted by PEPS Dad and Rockstar Chris Ballew aka Caspar Babypants.  Other exciting features include our pre-Luncheon Start Smart Sessions on Parental Wellness topics, coffee and cake before lunch, a parenting book fair hosted by University Book Store and more. You and your PEPS Group won’t want to miss it!! Sign up to reserve a seat, half or full table today.
• 1) PEPS wouldn’t be PEPS without the incredible support of our volunteer leaders, the unbelievable generosity of our donors, the unwavering commitments from our corporate sponsors and community partners, and the endless time and energy from our staff and board.
  

THANKYOU!

Laura Kussick
Laurak@pepsgroup.org
206-547-8570 ext. 25

PS: We always look forward to feedback as to how we can do a better job and serve more families in the Puget Sound area.  Please never hesitate to call or e-mail me with your suggestions or to tell us about a great PEPS story that we can share!