An award for Nadine
The MUM FOR MUM program run by the National Council of Jewish Women of Australia [NSW] has won the Wellbeing Award from the Sydney branch of the Australian Psychological Society.
The award was presented to MUM FOR MUM NCJWA co-ordinator Nadene Alhadeff by Minister for Communities Victor Dominello at NSW Parliament House.
“This is a powerful endorsement of the life-changing value of the program and the professionalism and commitment of the volunteers,” Alhadeff said.
Victor Dominello presents the award to Nadine Alhadeff
“This program, which was started by Boston Jewish welfare services and operates widely in Israel under the name of Em l’Em, recognises the vital need for emotional support for mothers in the first year of their child’s life.”
NCJWA established the program in Sydney six years ago under the presidency of Dalia Ayalon Sinclair.
The award was shared with the Eastern Suburbs Suicide Prevention Network, (ESSPN) of which NSW Jewish Board of Deputies vice-president and NCJWA NSW director, Isabelle Shapiro is vice-Chair; who received the award on behalf of the organisation.
Over 100 women recently attended a MUM FOR MUM brunch in the eastern suburbs to learn about the program. Immigrant Nicky Scott, a recipient of the program, spoke of how being able to speak about her anxieties in a non-judgmental environment had helped her to parent.
Psychologist and author Heather Irvine-Rundle engaged the audience by discussing the effects on personality of parenting during the first year of life and commended MUM FOR MUM as being a key to helping mothers respond appropriately to the unique temperament of each child.
Nadie Alhadeff told J-Wire: “When I took over the organisation in 2011 we had 14 volunteers working with 14 mothers. Today there are 36 mothers receiving the one on on one assistance…and the government has recognised the help we give to those mothers suffering from post-natal depression. They have made funds donated to MUM FOR MUM NCJWAY fully tax-deductible.”
Susan Wynne, former mayor of Woollahra, endorsed the program, citing the numerous awards that Woollahra Council has given to the program.
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