Commentary: The quiet work of being there for families

June 24, 2026  |  By Molly Gleason

We often talk about pregnancy and a new baby as one of the happiest times in a person's life.

The reality is often more complicated. Parents may find themselves navigating exhaustion, anxiety, isolation, relationship challenges, and financial stress, often while caring for a newborn and trying to meet their own basic needs.

For many families, the postpartum and early parenting period is much harder than our culture prepares us for. While we celebrate new babies, we do not always talk about how vulnerable this time can be for parents and how much support they need.

In our work at Good Beginnings and through the Central Vermont Perinatal Mental Health Coalition, we see parents in our community experiencing maternal mental health challenges, traumatic births, substance use disorders, housing instability, and a lack of social support.

We also see what happens when support is available and someone is there during those difficult moments.

Families feel less alone. They find connection, encouragement, and practical support. They are better able to navigate challenges, access resources, and focus on caring for themselves and their babies. Sometimes what makes the most difference is not a single service or program, but simply having someone they trust, someone who will listen, help create a plan, and stay with them through the process. 

That kind of support doesn't happen by accident. It is built by people who have spent years creating systems and collaborative partnerships that meet families where they are and who continue to show up day after day. 

This week, Good Beginnings and the Central Vermont Perinatal Mental Health Coalition recognized two individuals whose dedication and commitment have touched the lives of many families across Central Vermont.

Mindy Parisi, retired Community Health Team Health Coordinator at Central Vermont Medical Center, was awarded emeritus status on the Good Beginnings Board of Directors after two decades of service to the organization. The coalition also recognized a longtime Washington County Mental Health Services staff member who worked with Mindy to create the Central Vermont Community Response Team. The program provides coordinated, multi-agency support and case management through Washington County Mental Health Services for pregnant and parenting women facing addiction and substance use disorders. While she asked not to be publicly identified, the coalition was honored to recognize her commitment to families in our community.

The impact of their work, and that of every member of the coalition working directly with families, extends far beyond what most people see. It happens through relationships, phone calls, meetings, home visits, and countless acts of showing up for families.

For families facing difficult circumstances, that support can be life-changing. It can be the difference between feeling isolated and feeling connected, between struggling alone and knowing where to turn for help.

The Central Vermont Community Response Team was built on the belief that families need more support than any one organization can provide alone. Decades later, families across Central Vermont continue to benefit from the systems of care that grew from that vision.

Throughout Central Vermont, professionals, volunteers, and community members continue this work every day, supporting families during pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenthood. Much of it happens quietly, one family and one relationship at a time. We are grateful to have the opportunity to recognize two individuals whose work has helped shape the support available to families in our community.

Danville resident Molly Gleason is executive director of Good Beginnings of Central Vermont.