An Interview with Lindsay Nejmeh

THE LAUNCH OF THE GROUP PROGRAM

Risa: When did you first join Chances for Children?

Lindsay: I started in 2010 I believe.  I reached out to CFC after seeing a posting on Idealist for an internship for my graduate degree program. I immediately thought it was interesting and unique and was really up my alley. I really wanted to work with women in some capacity and in terms of parenting I knew there would be a lot of women involved with that, not to say it was only women but it really opened up my interest in parenting.  

Risa: That resonates with me because I started here at Chances for Children a few months after becoming a first-time mom and I remember feeling like “wow, this is really a place where they value parenting,” so you and I have that feeling in common.

Lindsay: Yeah, you know I was really interested in families and I knew I wanted to have a family one day. I was also really interested in how families get created, how they are formed, what goes on in the family, and how families heal together. It’s funny, I wish I had my daughter while working at Chances for Children because I think it would have brought a whole new lens to my own experience.

Risa: I totally agree! I have heard that you were really instrumental in building the Growing Together Groups. Can you tell me about that? What was your vision?

Lindsay: So, the groups were brand spanking new and we really did a lot of work to engage the community and to show the neighborhood what’s available. We started by pounding the pavement and posting flyers everywhere.

The groups are a really wonderful place for babies to be with their parents and for families to come together and not only just to play together. This is so important because parenthood can be so isolating. The groups are a safe space to interact and talk and also a place for the parents to be cared for. We learned which activities work well, and how to foster reflection among the parents.

Risa: What do you feel was most challenging about that time?

Lindsay: I believe we came to a point where we were focused on engaging more in the community and this was brand new for everybody. Liz and Hillary had built a really solid referral network but I think becoming a presence in the neighborhood was new and important. We did a lot of trial and error, especially for groups and once we found our routine it was amazing.

Risa: Working with the groups, I assume that a lot of the parents may not have had the type of support they received at CFC, did you see a difference in the way they approached motherhood because of the support they received?

Lindsay: For sure, I think there were a lot of things going on for them as parents, I think they had some relief in knowing that other parents were going through the same struggles in understanding child development. They often came to each other for advice using humor but were also vulnerable at the same time.  I think the space we created in the groups allowed them to have fun. We put an emphasis on taking care of the parents and delighting in their role as parents.

Risa: I've noticed while working at CFC that there is a strong family dynamic, did you have a part in making the team feel welcomed and developing the tight-knit community. 

Lindsay: Well, I do not know if I had anything to do with it, but I definitely experienced it. When I first came, I was nervous and scared but also eager to do the work. Liz, Hillary, and Martha really led the way in allowing me to be vulnerable in all of our interactions. We needed each other and it had an impact on me as a person. I do not think I could have done the work as well without that support. That is what makes Chances for Children so impactful and such an amazing place to be.

Risa: I totally agree! Even in the interview process, I felt like I was a part of the community.

Lindsay: I am happy you said that I still remember my interview and I immediately felt the family vibe.

Risa: How has Chances for Children helped shape your career?

Lindsay: I thought you might ask me this, I think my work at CFC laid much groundwork for my career.  I take a lot of the things I learned at CFC into my work with adult patients and it's molded how I work as a therapist. I look at everyone from a trauma lens and think about what each person has been through. I think that is so important and I use what I learned at CFC  every single day with the people I work with. Chances for Children really instilled in me the importance of meeting my patients where they are.

Risa: Can you take me back to an unforgettable day or a time when you helped a family?  To this day you still think about them?

Lindsay: It is really hard to pick just one family, but since we are talking about groups…we held a mom's appreciation day to celebrate moms for everything they do. It was a touching and beautiful experience to be there with those families and see how much support they were craving. I will never forget that. There were so many special moments with families, I cannot just pick one. 

Risa: Thank you so much! We appreciate you!  

Lindsay: This was so fun, thank you!