Friends of Mothers and Infants

What is the MetroHealth Friends of Mothers and Infants Program?

Organized in 1972, the MetroHealth Friends of Mothers and Infants (Friends of M&I) is a volunteer organization dedicated to helping under-served mothers and infants.

Our mission is to promote the health and well-being of families by providing essential items for mothers and infants who are clients of the MetroHealth Center for Community Health.

Contact Friends of M&I

Ohio City Health Center
4757 Lorain Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44102
216-696-3876

Who Is Eligible for Assistance?

The MetroHealth Friends of Mothers & Infants are dedicated to serving clients who receive their health care from the MetroHealth Center for Community Health.

The MetroHealth Center for Community Health, a department of The MetroHealth System, targets the needs of under-served communities in the Greater Cleveland area. Families receiving services have limited resources available to secure clothing and equipment for their families. Often, something as simple as a stroller or a clean and useful blanket is out of reach for those we serve.

How Does the MetroHealth Friends of Mothers & Infants Help?

As a result of community outreach and private donations, the MetroHealth Friends of Mothers & Infants receives brand-new and nearly new infant clothing, baby blankets, and layette items worth thousands of dollars. Dedicated and caring volunteers meet regularly to sort, fold, and bag infant layette items for distribution. Our year-round distribution program serves hundreds of needy families annually.

The MetroHealth Friends of M&I collect, purchase, and distribute:

Infant and toddler clothing
Layette items
Baby blankets
Diapers
Infant equipment
Maternity clothing
Educational materials

How Is the MetroHealth Friends of Mothers & Infants Funded?

The MetroHealth Friends of Mothers & Infants receives donations from individuals, groups and corporations; it also receives grants from private and community foundations. As a volunteer group, the MetroHealth Friends of Mothers & Infants have minimal overhead.

More than $0.95 of every dollar donated goes to serving infants in need. Every donation, large or small, is appreciated and appropriately utilized. As a nonprofit organization, the MetroHealth Friends of Mothers & Infants stretch your dollar by buying in bulk or closeouts.

The MetroHealth Friends of Mothers & Infants independently procures all funding and donations.

Your Help Is Needed

We need your help in continuing our effort to provide a healthy and safe environment for children in Cuyahoga County. We invite you to become involved in assisting our families. Through your membership, gifts, and donations, you can make a difference in your own community.

Although you may not have direct contact with our families, the MetroHealth staff conveys your kindness and generosity. The MetroHealth Friends of Mothers & Infants and the MetroHealth Center for Community Health are grateful for your interest and support.

How to Donate to Friends of M&I

Download a donation form [PDF]
Print the form
Fill out the form
Mail the form, along with a check payable to: Friends of Mothers & Infants

Mailing Information:

Friends of M&I
4757 Lorain Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44102

We also accept gently worn infant clothing.

Also consider rewarding volunteer work for the MetroHealth Friends of M&I (specify on the form that you are interested in the MH Friends of M&I program).

Words of Thanks

"The MetroHealth Friends of M&I play an important role in assisting social workers to provide needed services to our clients. Programs under your umbrella, such as the portable play yard (portable cribs) distribution, have proven to be an invaluable service. In addition, the MetroHealth Friends of M&I have provided countless layettes, essential baby items, and strollers to the numerous families being served within The MetroHealth System and other social service agencies. The dedicated commitment of the MetroHealth Friends of Mothers & Infants is recognized and appreciated by social workers throughout The MetroHealth System. On behalf of our clients touched by the MetroHealth Friends of M&I, we thank you!"
–MetroHealth Center for Community Health Social Worker

"Dear friends, thank you very much for all the help with the clothes and blankets for my new baby, it helped me out a lot. I appreciate everything you have done for us, may God bless you, and keep you well."
–MetroHealth patient

"Thank you for all that you do throughout the year for all the moms and babies of Cuyahoga County. You may never know the total impact that you have made, but you have truly touched many lives. Thank you!"
–Barbara Riley, General Manager, MetroHealth Center for Community Health Public Health Division