What is Stork’s Nest? Stork’s Nest is a community-based, prenatal health promotion program for low- income pregnant women. The program is designed to promote prenatal care participation and healthy behaviors during pregnancy through two components— incentives and education. Stork’s Nest clients earn points toward incentives, such as maternity or baby care items, through a variety of positive, health-promoting activities: attending prenatal care appointments, participating in prenatal education classes, keeping appointments for well-baby visits, etc. The Stork’s Nest prenatal education sessions provide information, educational materials, and a variety of other resources and referrals that help clients take good care of themselves and their babies. 

A Cooperative Effort A cooperative project of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and the March of Dimes, Stork’s Nest aims to increase the number of women receiving early and regular prenatal care so that preventable cases of low birthweight, premature birth, and infant deaths can be avoided. The first Stork’s Nest was launched in Atlanta, Ga. in 1971. The program was so successful that Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. adopted Stork’s Nest in 1972 as its national project. On March 13, 1976, Alpha Delta Zeta initiated the first Stork’s Nest at the Mary C. Jones Community Center under the leadership of Soror Dr. Rosie L. Thompson, President with Soror Forestine Robinson, chairperson and Soror Jessie Bishop, co-chairperson. In January 2002, the local chapter relocated its Stork’s Nest in the Jackson Medical Mall, Suite 3130 under the leadership of Soror Barnie A. McGee, President. In September of 2014, the Stork’s Nest changed management under the leadership of Dr. Rosella Houston, President with Dove Inez Johnson. Since its relocation in 2002 the program managers include Sorors Veronia Haynes, Mattie Stevens and currently Dove Inez Johnson. 

Program Objectives Stork’s Nest seeks to increase the number of healthy births in communities by increasing the number of lower-income pregnant women receiving adequate medical care and social services during their pregnancies. It does this by providing: 

• Incentives (clothing, nursery items and infant supplies) for expectant mothers who attend prenatal care visits early and regularly, which improves the chances of having a healthy birth. Incentive items are redeemed by clients, using points they earn through a variety of activities: attending prenatal care appointments, participating in prenatal education classes, making healthy lifestyle choices, keeping appointments for well-baby visits, etc. 

Contact Us The Stork’s Nest is located at Jackson Medical Mall, 350 W. Woodrow Wilson Blvd Suite 3130. Jackson, Mississippi 39213. If you are a health professional or a volunteer from a participating prenatal care agency and/or organization and would like to refer an expectant mother to the Stork’s Nest program, please contact us at 601-982-2502 or adz@adz1938.org.