July 2022 – Organization Highlight

Hand to Hold, National Nonprofit 501(c)(3)

Year Established: 2011
Outreach: National
Website: https://handtohold.org/

Hand to Hold® is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) dedicated to providing personalized emotional support, education and community to parents who have had children in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or the loss of a baby. Support is available in English & Spanish.

Hand to Hold’s Founder and CEO, Kelli Kelley has personal NICU experience.
Kelli’s son, Jackson was born at 24 weeks gestation and spent four long and difficult months in the NICU. Two years later, Kelli’s daughter was born at 34 weeks gestation and experienced medical complications related to a blood disorder.

The traumatic birth of Kelli’s children and their subsequent NICU stays had a direct impact on Kelli’s mental health and that of her husband.

Kelli founded Hand to Hold because she believes NICU and bereaved parents should have access to free, early intervention mental health support services including direct bedside support, support groups and counseling to ensure the best outcome for the baby and family.

To learn more about Hand to Hold and the many resources available, please visit their website: https://handtohold.org/