Posting with Purpose
How do you best digest information? Do you get everything you need from short form content like TikTok videos or do you look at long form content like articles and news segments?
If you are reading this, you might be one of our followers who prefers long-form content like this very blog post. You also might be a person who does not favor the type of content posted to social media. While I can totally understand the draw towards one or the other, I wanted to take the time to talk a little bit about why Maddie’s Place focuses some of our efforts on social media marketing specifically.
I am not actually a huge fan of social media… I know– that’s probably a weird statement coming from a communications and social media manager. There was a time when I used it more regularly, but my experiences with it were more negative. But even though I had chosen not to engage myself as much, I could still acknowledge the positive aspects.
When I first offered to take on the Maddie’s Place social media pages, I liked the idea of spreading the word about an unknown need in our community. I never could have thought that, two years later, social media would be such a powerful tool for building support and rallying communities across the globe– and all for Maddie’s Place.
With over 300K+ followers across our platforms, we have received countless comments, messages, and donations, all of which have encouraged us to keep fighting for what is right.
One of the reasons I think we have grown this much is because, for a lot of people, a strong visual can bring a piece of information to life. Here’s an example:
I first heard about Maddie’s Place through a friend who was working there. And while she described the population they served, my brain did not comprehend what being prenatally exposed to substances meant. It wasn’t until I started working there that I really understood the grave realities these infants faced, and the hope Maddie’s Place brought into their lives. It changed mine forever. The more I understood, the more I wanted others to as well.
This is why you might find what just look like silly little videos on our page. There’s more to it. We aren’t just posting for posting’s sake. We are utilizing popular trends and other creative ideas to spread awareness about the major gap in care for substance exposed newborns and how Maddie’s Place helps fill it. And in this day and age, social media happens to be one of the best ways to get the word out far and fast. The videos and stories we share (as consented by a biological parent) are intentional, their purpose always to educate and inform the community, and maybe even inspire individuals to take action.
The care we’re offering these innocent lives shouldn’t be as rare as it is. With only four other facilities like Maddie’s Place in the entire country, far too many substance-exposed infants are left in environments that weren’t built for their needs — either overstimulated in hospital rooms or at home with overwhelmed caregivers who are trying their best but don’t have the tools to help.
Every video, every story, every post is a chance to help someone understand, care, and maybe even take action. And if even one more baby gets the care they need, or one more parent finds the support they deserve because of something we’ve shared… then it’s more than worth it.
So, whether you’re a quiet reader or a frequent sharer, thank you for being part of this. Awareness is the first step toward change — and change is exactly what these babies and their families need.
This blog was posted on July 25, 2025.
Questions? Suggestions? Email me at emma.jones@maddiesplace.org.