In a community where neighbors still look out for one another, many Northern Colorado families are quietly navigating pregnancy and the newborn stage without the support they need. Right here in Weld County, parents preparing to bring home a baby are often doing so while facing housing instability, limited transportation, and rising costs for basic essentials.
Stepping into that gap is Stork Support of Northern Colorado, a volunteer-run nonprofit working to ensure local families do not walk into parenthood alone.
The organization’s beginnings are deeply personal. Founder Lisa Jensen was preparing to bring home her first baby when life shifted beneath her feet. Without maternity leave and soon after her husband was laid off, the excitement of welcoming a newborn was layered with uncertainty. As she searched Northern Colorado for affordable baby clothes and gear, she realized many other parents were facing the same challenges.
When her baby outgrew those early essentials, Lisa began passing them along to other families. What started as simple acts of neighborly care in 2018 quickly grew. During the early months of the pandemic, requests for help surged from about 10 to 50 in a single day as families struggled to find formula, diapers, and wipes.
With the help of Nikola Reinfelds, who first connected with Stork Support as a client during her own unplanned pregnancy, the organization officially became a 501(c)(3) in March 2021. Since then, Stork Support has served more than 900 families across Weld and Larimer counties.
The families they serve reflect a growing reality in Northern Colorado. While pregnancy in Weld or Larimer County is the only requirement for assistance, most households they help live on less than $1,400 per month. Many are staying in hotels, shelters, or shared housing while preparing for a new baby.
Transportation is often one of the biggest barriers. In households with a single vehicle, it is typically reserved for work, making it difficult to attend appointments, access community resources, or pick up essential supplies.
This is where Stork Support steps in. Families complete a simple online request form and work directly with Nikola to coordinate deliveries, resources, and ongoing support. The goal is not just to provide items, but to offer consistency and reassurance during a season that can feel overwhelming.
Among the organization’s most meaningful offerings is its Postpartum Recovery Kit, designed specifically for the birthing parent. The kit includes recovery essentials and thoughtful items that help mothers feel seen and cared for during the weeks following childbirth.
For Nikola, the emotional impact of the work is just as meaningful as the practical support.
“The hugs are what keep me going,” she says. “Bringing a new life into this world and caring for it is sacred work. It does take a village. I’m simply creating the village that I needed and received.”
Today, Stork Support continues to onboard an average of eight pregnant clients each month and supports roughly two families every day across Northern Colorado. More than 70 percent of distributed items are donated in kind, keeping usable baby gear out of landfills and in the hands of local families who need them most.
In a season that can feel isolating, Stork Support continues to build the village, one family at a time.
MOST NEEDED RIGHT NOW
Infant formula, especially WIC-approved Enfamil, remains the organization’s most urgent need. Community members interested in donating items or hosting a drive can connect directly with Stork Support at StorkSupportNoCo.com to learn how they can help local families.