Individuals struggling with infertility will have a safe space to swap resources and share stories starting Tuesday, March 19. Priya: Growing Jewish Families is launching a quarterly support group called Bloom for past, present and potential clients. The first group meeting is from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Brookside campus of Jewish Family Services, 425 E. 63rd St., Kansas City, Missouri.
Priya Family Consultant Sarah Albin of JFS said Bloom is an attempt to broaden Priya’s reach beyond financial assistance with fertility treatments and adoption.
“While many clients come to us, burdened by the cost of forming their forever families, they often seek emotional and social resources as well,” Albin said.
Bloom will not only give people a set time for confidential conversation about the challenges of infertility, but also offer occasional speakers on adoption and fertility topics. In addition, future meetings will incorporate structured activities to help participants process the difficult emotions attached to infertility.
“We want the tone of this group to be uplifting and educational,” Albin said. “The idea for the name Bloom is that this is a place for hope, information and friendships to flower.”
The new support group is open to people of all religious and spiritual backgrounds. Spouses and partners are welcome to attend. Meetings will alternate between the Jewish Community Campus and JFS’ Brookside location.
Local Jewish mother Amy Gale will share her family’s journey of infertility at the first meeting of Bloom. Gale and her husband now have two children, but getting pregnant with their first proved challenging by her account.
“There’s power and learning from telling your story, but too often, infertility is one of those topics that no one wants to discuss,” she said. “When Derek and I were struggling, having a friend who was willing to discuss her own infertility journey with me was invaluable. By sharing my story, I hope that I can support even one person in knowing that they’re not alone.”
Priya Advisory Committee member Robin Carr said she is pleased that Priya is adding a support group to its services. As a former social worker, Carr recognizes the value of human connection when faced with isolating life experiences, such as infertility.
“Each situation is unique, but there are also commonalities that others can relate to,” Carr said. “You can relate to emotions like grief, sadness and anxiety, and you can gain from what someone else says.”
The feeling of validation through support is the aim of Bloom, Priya Founder Annie Glickman said. Glickman introduced the Jewish community of Kansas City to Priya in 2015. Priya is a community initiative in partnership with JFS. The fund is held at the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City and is supported by the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City, the Community Legacy Fund and the Flo Harris Foundation of the Jewish Community Foundation, The Polsky Family Foundation, and many individual donors.
For more information about Priya’s services, including Bloom, contact Sarah Albin at or 913-730-1425.