Marilyn Grubb, program director of the Bundles of Joy Family Resource Center at Federal Hill House, spends her work days with her fingers crossed.

She relates a "success" story of the two-year-old program that strives to provide support, encouragement, and resources to expectant parents and parents of children to age four. The mother, a client of the Providence Center, initially was unkempt and rough with her newborn. "When she held her baby, there was no comfort there," Ms Grubb recalls, noting, "She had a lot of emotional issues - old issues - that needed to be resolved before she could be a good mom."

Two years later, with intervention that includes support through home visits and the mother and child's participation in center-run playgroups, Ms. Grubb has seen a remarkable change. "She's very concerned with being a good mom and she buys books about child development. We've developed the trusting relationship that was our goal."

But noting the woman's need for continuing services from the Providence Center and challenges she still must face, Ms. Grubb says realistically, "Every day I keep my fingers crossed for her."

Mental health issues are common among the program's clients that now total 85 families from throughout Providence, Ms. Grubb notes. Other problems Bundles of Joy has helped families deal with are teen pregnancy and parenting, substandard housing, parental alcohol and drug use, children with special needs, isolation, and lack of material goods. "We have so many parents who want to do the right thing for their children, but can't for one reason or another. They [the parents] require a lot of caring and love, and when we can give it to them, it makes a big difference. We try to nurture the parent, so they know what it feels like, and then can nurture their own children."

Long-term funding for Bundles of Joy is another area that causes the project director to keep her fingers crossed. Begun two years ago with seed funding from the Department of Children, Youth, and Families that will run out this fall, the program received a one-year, $30,000 grant this past spring from the Foundation. It has enabled Bundles of Joy to hire a second, part-time family resources worker, bringing the total staff to three.

Noting that other states have similar programs funded through the states, Ms. Grubb says passionately, "We should have that here in Rhode Island. I'm absolutely convinced that if we're going to change a child's life in a high risk family, we have to start within the first three years of the child's life."

Bundle of Joy's services usually begin in the baby shop where expectant and new parents can shop up to four times per year, selecting one item of new children's clothing or a toy at each visit. The attractive, inviting baby shop - complete with toys the children can play with and a rocking chair for the parent - not only fills a material need for the family, but also serves as the program's "intake center," allowing staff to talk with families and determine additional needs.

Families then are invited to participate in the program's monthly home visit program where relationships are strengthened - both those between staff and families and those between parents and children. "Most families have welcomed us into their homes," Ms. Grubb says. While acknowledging some families are not comfortable with the idea, "Others would like to see us visit every week if we could," she shares, laughing.

Developmental playgroups, organized for each spring and fall, further strengthen staff-family relationships while also allowing families to get to know each other and develop friendships that extend beyond the playgroups.

A program specifically for fathers will begin this fall and Ms. Grubb dreams of a place for drop-in playgroups. And yes, her fingers are crossed that the dream will come true.