April's How I LIVE UNITED: Vanesa Crowfoot

Post written by guest blogger and communications intern Jani C.

Vanesa Crowfoot is a student at Brigham Young University majoring in human development who thinks it is important for college students to get involved and volunteer in the community. After hearing about United Way of Utah County’s Welcome Baby program, she got involved.

“Although she is very busy as a full-time student, she makes sure she is a volunteer in the community,” said Stephanie Anderson, United Way of Utah County’s Welcome Baby coordinator. “She is taking what she is learning in her classes and using it right now, not waiting until graduation.”

Welcome Baby is a home visitation program that creates a support system for new parents. Volunteers visit participants once a month to teach about their child’s development. Volunteers are mostly experienced mothers and the participants can turn to them when they have questions about their own children.

“I find it inspiring that young college students like Vanesa are looking for ways they can volunteer in the community,” said Stacey Mitchell, a Welcome Baby VISTA with United Way of Utah County.

Crowfoot does not have any children of her own, but she is still a valuable resource to parents and helps strengthen their families.

“I get excited, and I just want to help,” Crowfoot said. “Even though I am not a mom, I try to share and give what I can.”

Crowfoot has been volunteering with Welcome Baby since November. She said, “I feel with the education that I have received, it was a way I could give back to the community.”

Although so many different resources are available for parents of newborns, Crowfoot said at times the participants don’t know about them, but she is able to direct the parents where to go for specific questions they have about their child.

“[Welcome Baby] helps the new moms to have confidence and support in becoming a mother,” Crowfoot said.

Dial 2-1-1 for more information about how you can become a volunteer in Utah County.