The story behind the swaps
In 2019, after having my first daughter, I was a patient at Midwives of NJ. They hosted a Mothers Market where moms brought their gently used baby items to share with one another. Everything was free and anything that wasn’t taken was donated to a domestic violence shelter.
I left that event feeling so inspired. It wasn’t just about baby clothes and gear, it was about connection. Moms helping moms. The feeling of generosity. I knew I wanted to bring something like that to Staten Island.
In February 2020 I hosted the very first Sunny Side Up Swap (formerly known as The Moms’ Social Swap). My job at RTR Financial Services graciously let me use the front of their office and conference rooms, and I had so many volunteers show up to help. They were coworkers, friends, family, all pitching in to make it happen. Only a few moms came that day, but it still felt like a success. I learned so much about how to organize it better and how to get the word out. At the end, I rented a U-Haul and, with a friend, loaded up everything left behind and drove it to Good Counsel House.
Not long after, the world shut down. I didn’t host another swap for two years.
When I became a birth educator, I knew the swaps were the perfect way to build community. I started hosting them in my driveway, and eventually NY1 picked up the story. Slowly the swaps grew. We’ve had over 500 families come through these events, we’ve hosted at Crafty Kids and at the JCC on Manor Road, and we’ve donated unclaimed items to so many local organizations.
The Sunny Side Up Swaps have always been a labor of love. My hope is that families find what they need without financial stress and know that what they give will go to another family who will put it to good use. It is about saving money for the support you really need in parenthood. It is about realizing you don’t need as much as you think. It is about lowering overconsumption and creating a cycle of giving and receiving.
Most of all, it has been about the people I have met along the way. Over these last five years I’ve had the joy of meeting so many families and watching their children grow. What started as a simple idea has become a tradition in our community and one of my favorite ways to connect with parents.
Looking ahead, my dream is to continue expanding the swaps into bigger venues so more families can participate. Staten Island parents deserve a place where resources are accessible and community support is the norm. I can’t wait to see how the next five years unfold.
If you’d like to know when the next Sunny Side Up Swap is happening, I’d love for you to join my email list. It’s the best way to stay updated on upcoming events, birth classes, and resources for parents here on Staten Island. You can sign up here and be the first to know when new swaps and gatherings are announced.
