Sometimes a person’s first name is just the right fit for their personality. That is the case for Twinkle Schottke. “I love to have fun! My friends and co-workers tease me because I try to squeeze fun and laughter into everything. I always tell them you have to put the ‘F word’ into all that we do (you know, fun)!”
Twinkle is the Program Director for Moms2B, a community program working with pregnant women to have healthy babies in central Ohio, in areas that have the highest rates of infant mortality. “When working with pregnant moms in poverty, I often get questions about why I do this type of work and people say that I will not be able to change poverty. Changing poverty is a big job – I look at the details and break steps down to have success with each mom during her pregnancy and then with the baby, then to develop the goals she wants for her own life. These steps will not change the world but it could change the world for that family.”
Twinkle is also the President of the Ohio Association of Infant Mental Health (OAIMH). OAIMH promotes and supports healthy development and nurturing relationships for all infants and young children in Ohio. The organization provides a forum for interdisciplinary collaboration by advocating for the application of infant mental health principles in services for infants, young children and caregivers.
The moment that best defines Twinkle is when her daughter was born. “I have a child with special needs and I have learned to never give up! I didn’t realize when she was born 23 years ago that many of the people in my life are here because of her. By being positive, trying many different ways to get things done and asking ‘if you can’t help me, then who can’? When I realized that I would need to advocate for her almost every day and with every transition in her life, it changed the way I looked at being a mom.”
Twinkle says that the work she does if very stressful so she tries to be with or talk to people that encourage her every day. “I love to spend time with my family and friends, shopping, taking walks with my husband, shopping, doing water aerobics/water therapy, travel, and more shopping! Praying, being thankful and taking time to be in the moment helps me get through the day. I love working with moms and babies although it would be really fun to do this type of work on a beach in the sunshine!”
Twinkle hopes to be able to expand the Moms2B program so that they can serve more pregnant moms and help assure that each baby born is welcomed into the world and has a space in someone’s heart to grow. “The Moms2B program is just one small step toward having healthier babies in our community. Everyone has a gift or talent they can use to help us, help them.”
For more information, please visit www.moms2bohio.com.