We explore a program aimed at tackling the issue of infant abandonment in Florida. “A Safe Haven for Newborns” is a program through the non-profit Gloria M. Silverio Foundation and since its inception nearly 16 years ago, the lives of 242 newborns have been saved and placed with forever families through adoption. Since 2006, the number of babies abandoned in unsafe places has been on the decline as the number of babies surrendered at designated ‘safe havens’ has been on the rise.
The largely volunteer-run program partners with hospitals, fire departments, EMS stations, adoption agencies and social service providers to provide a safe place for new parents in crisis to relinquish an infant anonymously and to help pregnant women and new parents get the help they need. We’ll hear from the program’s founder along with a local participating fire chief. We’ll also hear from the adoptive parents of a child whose life was saved through A Safe Haven for Newborns.
Guests:
Nick Silverio, Founder of “A Safe Haven for Newborns”
Kingman Schuldt, Chief of the Greater Naples Fire Rescue District
