My Husband and I Built a Life-Saving Organization While Our Family Was Falling Apart

The Extraordinary Journey of Safe Haven Baby Boxes: A Conversation with the Founders

Monica Kelsey and her husband Joe never imagined that a simple idea sketched on a napkin would transform into a nationwide movement saving countless infant lives. In a candid interview on Monica's podcast "Beyond the Box," Joe reveals the remarkable origin story of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, now operating in 24 states with 365 boxes installed across America.

Their journey began following Monica's trip to South Africa, where she encountered a church with a baby box - a safe place for desperate mothers to surrender their newborns. Returning home with passion and purpose, Monica sketched the initial concept and presented it to her husband. While initially confused by the concept, Joe's unwavering support became the foundation of what would become a life-saving organization. "I know you and I know when you have a dream or a vision, there's no stopping you," Joe reflected during the interview.

The couple's path wasn't without significant challenges. They worked tirelessly to change safe haven laws, developed multiple prototypes (now in its 20th iteration), and faced public skepticism. Starting with just one box at their local Woodburn, Indiana firehouse, they meticulously built the organization while balancing Joe's responsibilities as mayor, National Guard member, and property manager. As Senior Project Coordinator, Joe handles the operational details that keep the organization functioning - managing contracts, coordinating with locations, and ensuring their strict anonymity policies remain intact.

Perhaps most revealing is how personal tragedy nearly derailed their mission. Their son's involvement in a fatal drunk driving accident that resulted in his imprisonment created tremendous strain on their family and marriage. For nearly two years, they put the organization on hold, visiting their son in prison every weekend. "Our family was devastated," Monica shared, noting how they learned that many families divorce after such tragedies. "That thought never crossed our minds," Joe affirmed.

The turning point came in November 2017 when, just two months before their son's release, they received news that a baby had been surrendered in one of their boxes. "It was almost like Christ was saying it's time to get up. You've sat down long enough," Monica reflected. This pivotal moment reignited their commitment to the cause, propelling the organization forward with renewed purpose.

Today, Safe Haven Baby Boxes has expanded beyond Indiana and Ohio to states including Arkansas, Kentucky, Florida, Tennessee, and New Mexico. Their unwavering commitment to anonymity for surrendering mothers remains paramount - they've even declined partnerships with locations unwilling to guarantee no surveillance cameras on the boxes. "We're not going to sacrifice integrity for growth," Monica emphasized.

Despite facing critics who oppose adoption or anonymous surrenders, the couple remains steadfast in their mission. "We have to save the life of the child first," Monica stated, speaking from her perspective as an adoptee. Their approach has fostered heartwarming connections between surrendered babies and the firefighters who receive them, creating extended "families" through the program.

The interview closes with a powerful reminder of the couple's commitment to each other and their mission - a testament to how personal dedication and unwavering partnership can transform a simple idea into a movement that saves lives nationwide.

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