Monica Kelsey, founder of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, is the recipient of a 2024 Nation of Neighbors℠ empowerment award and a $10,000 grant.
After learning she was abandoned as an infant and seeing a “baby box” at a church in Cape Town, South Africa, Monica knew exactly what she was being called to do next. “On my flight back home, I designed the Safe Haven Baby Box on a napkin,” shared Monica. “Today, we have made and installed over 250 Baby Boxes located in 19 states.”
A Baby Box is a designated location where parents can anonymously and safely leave an infant they are unable or unwilling to care for. A parent will open a secure door and place their baby inside. Once the door is shut, a sensor alerts on-site authorities that a baby has arrived. The boxes aim to prevent unsafe abandonment and ensure that infants are placed in proper care while following the Safe Haven Law protocols for each state.
“We are providing a 100% anonymous option for women in crisis and we are the first to do that,” said Monica. The organization aims to change the narrative by honoring the birth parent’s decision while providing a safe haven for babies. “Shaming parents does not help them,” said Monica. “We encourage men and women to do what is best for their children without judging them.”
Safe Haven Baby Boxes provides a 24-hour crisis hotline to meet parents where they are and walk through the decision with them. “Our hotline is the workhorse of our operation,” said Monica”. “We don’t tell them what is best or what we would do. We encourage them to make their own choices, so they are at peace with their decisions.”
The organization will use the Nation of Neighbors grant to help one location get a Safe Haven Baby Box.
The installation of baby boxes can be very expensive. The average cost from start to finish is $15,000 to $20,000. “We recently installed a baby box in Carmel, Indiana, and four babies have already been saved. The impact is beyond measure,” said Monica.
If you are a parent in crisis, please call or text 1-866-99BABY1.
