From Bright Start to shining light, former mom in need now helps others

This paid piece is sponsored by Children’s Home Society.

Fourteen years ago, Amanda Tilberg was a pregnant single mother. She became a client of Bright Start, a nurse home visitation program for first-time moms and their babies.

Tilberg and her child thrived in the program.

“It was so important to have someone who never made me feel ashamed for having a bad day, who was always reminding me of my potential as a mom and that I wasn’t alone,” Tilberg said.

The nurse made a strong impression on Tilberg at a critical moment in her life. “At the time, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do with my life. Through working with her, I thought, ‘I think I want to be a nurse — and then I someday want to be a nurse in the Bright Start program.’”

Bright Start provides care for at-risk families during pregnancy and after delivery. Nursing services include prenatal, maternal and infant/child health and development assessments and education, plus parenting, health, safety and nutrition education. Services may continue until the child’s second birthday. Bright Start also helps link families with community resources, such as prenatal, postpartum and pediatric medical care, family planning services and mental health services.

Tilberg started attending college, earned her associate degree and then her bachelor’s. Eventually, she returned to school and earned a master’s degree. She worked in a wide variety of roles in hospitals and clinics, becoming a nurse practitioner in women’s health. By chance, she learned of a rare opening for a Bright Start nurse and joined the team in April 2022.

“I didn’t know if it was going to happen or not, but by the grace of God, here I am,” Tilberg said. “So I feel very, very, very lucky, very fortunate.”

“I felt like it was meant to be. I love what I do. I value the people that I get to work with, and they make me better too. Every day, I wake up and I’m excited to do my job. I can’t imagine doing anything else. It’s the most rewarding thing that I’ve ever done.”

What Tilberg’s clients say

“Being a first-time mom, with no support, she has absolutely and positively impacted my life,” one client said.

“I lost my mom and my dad four years ago, making my situation 10 times more difficult. … On the days when I was overwhelmed with anxiety and fear, Amanda would be there to help me through tough phone calls and doctor appointments for my unborn baby and myself. She helped me get the medication I needed when I didn’t have a way to pick it up. When I was wrongfully fired from my job, Amanda helped me write a letter to get my job back. And it worked — I got my job back! The days we meet are good days.”

Another client said: “You’re like an angel. You’ve been helping me out so much, and you’re there for me a lot.”

And others:

“You’re the best, Amanda. Really. The best support ever.”

“You are super awesome, and it’s been a pleasure having your help throughout my pregnancy and now the birth of my son! I’ve learned lots from you and have felt supported and understood.”

“The best thing about my pregnancy was the program; the most helpful thing was you as my nurse. I don’t know how I’d be this far if it weren’t for you. … You go above and beyond, just because you care.”

“From the first time we met, I automatically felt at ease. I had a very stressful pregnancy due to being high risk. … Amanda helped so much it’s hard to put to words. She calmed my anxiety by helping me learn about everything I feared, helping me with community resources and pushing me to achieve my goals. I will forever be grateful for what Amanda has done for me. I look forward to the next two years I have with her to help me learn and be the best mother I can be.”

To learn more about the Bright Start program at Children’s Home Society, please visit chssd.org/brightstart.

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