The NICU Family Collective
Fall 2026 | Community Newsletter
Walking with families through the NICU journey and beyond.
A season of connection, community, and new beginnings
What a meaningful season it has been for The NICU Family Collective!
Over the past few months, we've been building something special: a community where NICU families feel seen, supported, and reminded that they don't have to navigate this journey alone.
From bringing families together to growing our family support programs, we're excited about what lies ahead. Whether you are a NICU parent, a former NICU family, a healthcare professional, or a community supporter, we're grateful to have you as part of this growing community.
Thank you for being here and helping us make a difference.
November is Prematurity Awareness Month
November is a time to recognize the babies who arrive too soon, the families who navigate the unexpected journey of prematurity, and the healthcare professionals who care for them.
Behind every NICU stay is a unique story of strength, uncertainty, hope, and resilience. On Sunday, November 15, consider wearing PURPLE to show your support for World Prematurity Day and the millions of babies and families impacted by prematurity. Share a photo and help us spread awareness!
This month, we honor those journeys and reaffirm our commitment to making sure no NICU family has to walk theirs alone. We hope you will join us.
Our impact, together.
A few highlights from our growing community and all it has made possible.
Every number represents a family supported, a connection made, or a reminder to a NICU parent that they aren't alone. Thanks to our community's generosity and involvement, we've made a meaningful difference for NICU families since launching in March 2026.
Behind every number is a family, and we're grateful to everyone who has helped make this support possible. This is what a community looks like!
Looking back: Our first NICU Reunion!
One highlight this season was bringing NICU families together for our first NICU Reunion in more than a decade!
On September 20, families gathered at Plaza on Princess to reconnect, celebrate their NICU graduates, and share the unique bond that comes with experiencing the NICU journey.
The afternoon was filled with opportunities to make memories, including our Tree of Hope that will hang in the NICU, Kindness Rocks! activity for the NICU family garden, and more!
Most importantly, it was a reminder that the NICU journey doesn't end at discharge. Families deserve opportunities to connect, find community, and celebrate just how far they've come.
Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, and helped make this special day possible!
Building support beyond the NICU
Every family's NICU experience is different, but no family should navigate it alone. We're working to create meaningful opportunities for families to receive support throughout the NICU journey and beyond. Some of the ways we're growing that support include:
Caregiver Meals | Providing meals and practical support to parents and caregivers spending long days at the hospital.
Peer Mentorship | Connecting NICU parents with someone who understands the experience firsthand and can offer encouragement, perspective, and a listening ear.
Community Connection | Creating opportunities for families to build relationships, access resources, and stay connected long after their NICU stay ends.
Growing Together | Community talks to connect NICU graduate families with knowledgeable professionals who can answer questions, share practical, NICU-specific guidance, and support parents as they navigate life beyond the NICU.
These programs are only possible through the generosity and involvement of our community and donors.
Deck the Yard! Holiday Fundraiser
A little holiday cheer. A whole lot of community impact.
Help us deck the yard while making the holidays a little brighter for NICU families and our community!
Through Deck the Yard!, we're inviting local families, community members, and businesses to sponsor a festive display of ornaments in support of The NICU Family Collective. For a minimum $250 donation, enjoy 20 LARGE, festive yard ornaments displayed in your yard for a few days in December -- all while helping us expand support for NICU parents and caregivers.
Want to make an even bigger impact? Garden ornament sponsorships are available starting at $500!
It's a fun way to spread some holiday cheer while reminding NICU families that their community is thinking of them and showing up for them.
Here's how to participate:
Deck the Yard! – $250: Sponsor 20 ornaments and help provide 20 warm meals to NICU families.
NICU Family Garden Ornament Sponsor – $500+: Make an even bigger contribution to support our mission.
Spots are limited, so don't wait to sign up!
LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW DECK THE YARD! WORKS | SIGN UP TO DECK YOUR YARD | SPONSOR DECK THE YARD IN THE NICU (open to corporations and individuals)
Thank you for helping us make the season a little brighter for NICU families!
The power of showing up
A NICU journey can be isolating. The uncertainty, the long days, the unexpected challenges, and the emotional ups and downs can be difficult to explain to someone who hasn't experienced them.
Sometimes, the most meaningful support comes from knowing someone understands.
That's why community is at the heart of everything we do. We want families to know there is a place for them here, whether their NICU experience happened recently or many years ago.
If you're a NICU parent or graduate family, we'd love to connect with you! Please feel free to email us at contact@nicufamilycollective.org to connect.
The People Behind the Mission
A Special Thank You to Our Founding Board
The NICU Family Collective wouldn't be where it is today without the people who believed in this vision from the very beginning. We're so grateful to our founding Board of Directors for sharing their time, talents, ideas, and passion to help turn this mission into a reality.
A very special THANK YOU to our Founding Board Directors:
Emily Baldwin, NICU Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Ellison Clark, NICU Mom, Co-Founder & Executive Director
Dr. Robert DiGiuseppe, NICU Doctor & UNC Children’s Division Chief for Children’s Specialty Care in Wilmington
Christie Hernandez, NICU Mom & Co-Founder
Caroline Reynolds, NICU Mom & Co-Founder
Lee White, NICU Grandfather
Building something from the ground up takes a village, and we're lucky to have such a wonderful group of people helping us create a community where NICU families feel supported, connected, and never alone.
If you're interested in becoming more involved in the leadership and governance of The NICU Family Collective, we'd love to hear from you! Please email contact@nicufamilycollective.org to learn more about future opportunities to serve.
Help us grow our impact
There are so many ways to be part of this mission. You don't have to have experienced the NICU firsthand to make a difference.
Give: Your financial contributions help us provide meaningful resources and support to NICU families at no cost. Click here to make a donation or sign up for Deck the Yard!
Volunteer: Help us with family events, outreach, and special projects.
Partner: Businesses and community organizations can help us expand our reach through sponsorships, in-kind donations, and collaboration.
Spread the word: Share our mission with a family, friend, or professional who may benefit from knowing about NFC.
Every act of generosity helps remind a family that they are not alone.
MAKE A DONATION | GET INVOLVED | LEARN MORE
Stay connected
Have a NICU story to share? Want to learn more about our programs or get involved? We'd love to hear from you. Simply reply to this email to get in touch.
Follow along on social media and share our work with someone who should know about The NICU Family Collective.
With gratitude,
The NICU Family Collective
Walking with families through the NICU journey and beyond.
contact@nicufamilycollective.org
910-338-9074 (text or call)
Join our private Facebook group for current & former NICU parents & caregivers
The NICU Family Collective is an independent, community-based nonprofit organization serving NICU families in Southeastern North Carolina. We are not affiliated with any hospital or healthcare system.
No NICU family should walk this journey alone.