By Morgan Cartier Weston | Photography by John Michael Simpson
Chatham County Partnership for Children’s mission is built around a simple idea: When families have what they need to thrive, children do too. The organization connects Chatham families with resources, supports early childhood educators and develops programs in response to the needs it sees in the community. That responsive approach is at the heart of ChAMPS, which stands for Chatham’s Assistance for Maternal and Pediatric Supplies. The program is the brainchild of family outreach coordinator Steffanny Dubon, who recognized a growing call for essential items among families the Partnership serves.
“Steffanny came to me last year with the idea for a diaper bank,” says Heather St.Clair, executive director. “The need was there.”
The program provides diapers to families without requiring them to qualify based on income or other criteria. The approach is intentional: Families can receive a basic necessity without having to jump through hoops to prove that they need it.
A Need, Answered
Since its launch, ChAMPS has quickly become a community-supported resource. Families have reached out for assistance, and local businesses and individuals have organized diaper drives to keep the shelves stocked.
“From the moment we opened ChAMPS, families have been reaching out for help,” says Sheen Klaus, research and development director. “And, people in the community want to support it.”
Dignity is central to the program. The Partnership accepts only new, unopened diapers and aims to provide high-quality supplies to families without judgment.
“We believe that just because a family is in need does not mean they should receive subpar services,” Sheen says. The experience of walking into ChAMPS is intentionally welcoming: the office includes a play area for kids, and Steffanny curates a shopping experience for each family so they feel welcome. With materials donated by Bold Construction, the team created custom display shelves that give the space a welcoming, retail-like feel.
And the relationship doesn’t necessarily end when a family picks up a package of diapers. Staff members try to connect with families and learn more about what they may need, from food assistance to childcare resources.
“We want to be a one-stop resource for families,” Heather says. “If a family comes for diapers, we want to ensure they leave with the support they truly need.”
The team also hosts distribution events throughout the community for those who are not able to make it to the office. “People line up,” Steffanny says. “It’s amazing to see the impact.”
resources available to them.
Beyond ChAMPS
ChAMPS is one piece of a much larger effort to support Chatham families from a child’s earliest years through the transition to school.
The Partnership helps families sign up for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which sends a free book each month to participating children until they turn 5.
Free facilitated playgroups known as Kaleidoscope Play and Learn sessions give families opportunities to engage in developmentally appropriate activities while building connections with other parents and caregivers.
Other Partnership programs focus on the systems and environments surrounding young children. The Lena Grow program, for example, uses conversational tracking devices to help educators better understand the quality and frequency of interactions they have with their students. The goal is to encourage more “serve and return” conversations, which are important to language development and cognitive growth. Educators can use the resulting information to adjust their interactions and better support children in their classrooms.
Through the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Partnership also helps childcare providers offset the cost of meals that meet nutritional guidelines, supporting both providers and the families they serve.
Together, the programs reflect a broad view of what it takes to give children a strong start: access to basic necessities, opportunities for learning, healthy relationships and quality childcare.
Building Stronger Starts
That last piece – childcare – remains one of the community’s most significant challenges. As Chatham County grows, so does the demand for affordable, accessible childcare. The Partnership is working with community colleges and other partners to encourage more people to consider early childhood education as an occupation.
“Childcare is a significant issue,” Heather says. “We’re working to create pathways for more providers to enter the field. It’s about building a sustainable future for our children.”
The Partnership’s ability to adapt is central to its approach. Rather than offering a fixed list of services, it works with families and community partners to identify emerging needs and determine where it can make the greatest difference.
That flexibility is also what has helped ChAMPS evolve from an idea into a growing community-supported program in a short time. The Partnership provides the infrastructure, but families, businesses, volunteers and local organizations all play a role in keeping the effort moving.
For Heather and her team, the goal extends beyond any single program. It is about creating a network of support that allows families to find help when they need it – and gives Chatham’s youngest residents a stronger foundation for what comes next. Learn more or get involved at chathamkids.org.
