Volunteer 'snugglers' sought as Latrobe-based organization emerges from pandemic

Before the coronavirus pandemic, Angel Arms, a free Westmoreland County family support service, provided short-term care for infants and young children for 25 to 30 guardians and parents on a regular basis so they could attend counseling or court-ordered addiction recovery programs.

The small, Latrobe-based human service program is seeking a few volunteer “snugglers,” said Dawn Hennessey, founder and executive director of Faith Forward, the nonprofit that started Angel Arms.

Snugglers are adults, with required background clearances and training, who assist in the part-time supervising or even rocking children from infants to age 5 who are assisted by the program.

“Like many nonprofits, the pandemic — with social distancing requirements and shutdowns — really hit us hard. But the need was always still here and remains,” Hennessey said. “Many mothers who are recovering from opioid addiction need help, and we’re here to provide them support. … And we’re continuing to adjust.”

During several weeks of complete shutdown, the organization refurbished its day room to better accommodate the children.

“We’ve also made it easier to sanitize that room with continuing concerns about covid,” Hennessey said.

Even though some program activities ceased for a period, Hennessey said the organization still responded to calls for help. Whether it was a need for food, housing assistance or infant supplies including baby formula or diapers, Hennessey and the faith-based organization’s staff members sometimes made deliveries or referrals to other area human service agencies.

Sometimes, with no-contact concerns, infant supplies were left outside the program facility on Main Street for pickup.

Hennessey founded Angel Arms in 2016 after identifying a community need as legal guardian of a boy born with neonatal abstinence syndrome, a drug withdrawal condition. She found support services and counseling for children born into addiction and their caregivers were lacking to meet the needs of an infant exposed to opioid drugs in the womb.

Angel Arms’ goal continues to be providing care for drug-exposed newborns and children plus counseling and resources for their mothers or caregivers.

“Our goal has always been to keep families healthy and together,” she said. “Parents or guardians can’t drop off a child here and go to the mall or anything like that. It has to be for counseling, therapy. … We’ve even had some parents drop off their children so they could attend drug court.”

The program includes counseling and resources for mothers, guardians and caregivers; nursery accommodations; and a day room for children and collaboration with community service organizations.

Stephanie Walker, the “snuggler supervisor,” said volunteers undergo training on what to expect. The organization’s volunteer rolls have dwindled during the pandemic.

Information on making donations or volunteering is available at faithforwardpa.com/angelarms or by calling 724-539-7900.