PULSE Partners: Brigid's Path

Spectacle of Saints is thrilled to welcome our first Nonprofit Partner blog post of the 2018-2019 program year. Brigid's Path is a new organization and a new partner with Marianist PULSE. Even though Brigid's Path opened its doors less than a year ago, the organization has already gained nationwide attention, including this Today Show highlight. Lea Gauthier, Operations Director at Brigid's Path, shares with us about the work of Brigid's Path as well as the impact a PULSE volunteer has had on the organization:

Brigid’s Path is a pediatric recovery center providing residential care for infants born drug exposed, and non-judgmental wrap around services for their families and caregivers. We are the first of our kind in Ohio and only the second in the nation. Brigid’s Path was able to open our doors in 2017 and accepted our very first patient on December 29th, 2017.

The Dayton community has wrapped themselves around our organization with many great partner organizations and amazing support.  One such organization is Marianist PULSE!

The past few months have been exciting ones filled with growth and opportunities to serve the babies and families impacted by the opioid epidemic. The babies in our care receive the very best treatment utilizing a variety of methods focused on their needs to ease their discomfort as they experience withdrawal. Important key elements of this care are swaddling, rocking, cuddling, and meeting their immediate needs. We have been able to provide this one on one individualized care largely through the use of specially trained volunteers.  Brigid’s Path began to accept applications for volunteers in early 2017 and by the time our doors opened we had over 1,000 applications for baby cuddler volunteers!  

Our volunteer coordinator Charlene, serves us a Marianist PULSE placement. She has been an amazing blessing to us by helping us manage and grow our volunteer program. All volunteers must complete background checks, health screenings and complete training on Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome and our Family Advocacy program. Charlene has jumped right in with ensuring that all the paperwork is in order, training is completed, and volunteers are scheduled for duty! Her delightful energy and beautiful Aloha Spirit has brought so much light and joy to our building. We love partnering with an organization like Marianist PULSE who’s core faith and value system is so closely aligned with our own.

Brigid’s Path was founded on the ideals of faith, compassion, care, and guidance. We are named for St. Brigid, patron saint of babies, and Psalm 25:4, “Show me your ways, Lord, Teach me your paths.” 

It is truly a blessing to be able to partner with other organizations who are led by similar ideals and values of faith and service towards others.