Mission: The mission of the Claire Bear Foundation is to enhance infant safety and reduce infant mortality through education and outreach regarding safe sleep practices; offer comprehensive family support; and address disparities in race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic factors to reduce the incidence of Sudden Unexplained Infant Death through both direct and indirect services.
About: The foundation is based in Tacoma and was established in memory of Claire, who died from unsafe sleep at her child care in 2015. It provides free cribs, sleep sacks, and pacifiers to families in need, and funded a CPR simulation training room at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. It also gives an annual scholarship at Foss High School and grants to help families with medical and funeral costs after a child’s death.
What: Volunteers help with:
Social media: sharing safe sleep education and spreading awareness of the foundation’s work. This matters because Consumer Reports found that more than nine out of ten infant sleep images shared on Instagram were unsafe.
Crib ordering: helping order portable cribs for families who can’t afford them. The foundation provides portable cribs, sleep sacks, and pacifiers to families with financial need across the United States.
Where: Entirely virtual. The foundation itself is based in Tacoma.
When: Flexible. There are no set shifts, so you can fit it around your schedule.
Commitment: Flexible. Hours are worked out directly with the organizer.
How: Email Shayna Raphael at shayna.raphael@gmail.com to ask about current needs and get started.