Hello Baby: Building an Oasis in a Play Desert

Children having the ability to play is crucial to their physical, social, and emotional development. HelloBaby tells the story of the vision of creating play spaces to help provide safe and fun spaces. HelloBaby is the first free-standing, free-of-charge drop-in play space for babies, toddlers and their caregivers.

Why would a mom with 58 kids open her doors to hundreds more?

Debbie Frisch’s troubled childhood and her experience raising two daughters–while also caring for 56 short-term foster kids–taught her how desperately families can need safe, nurturing places to play. She responded by creating HelloBaby, the nation’s first free-standing, free of charge, drop-in play space for babies, toddlers, and their caregivers located on Chicago’s South Side since 2017. Her provocative story will inspire anyone who wonders what they can do to help make our communities into places where every child can thrive.

Debbie Frisch is the founder of HelloBaby, the nation’s first free-standing, free-of-charge drop-in play space for babies, toddlers and their caregivers. HelloBaby opened in 2017 and is located on Chicago’s South Side.

Prior to opening HelloBaby, Debbie was actively involved with many not-for-profit organizations that serve families and children in underserved communities. She has a B.A. from the University of Michigan and a M.A. from the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University, Chicago.

In her debut as an author, Debbie’s first book, Hello Baby: Building an Oasis in a Play Desert, tells the story of how play deserts impact children and families. Debbie joined author Isaac Stone Simonelli to tell the story of HelloBaby and her mission to create safe play spaces for babies and toddlers in Chicago.

In 2022, Debbie was awarded the Champion for Children Award from the Bright Promises Foundation. She has served as Board President for Adoption Center of Illinois, Chicago Lights, and Geography of Hope. She has also been a Deacon and Elder at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago. She was a foster care mother for Adoption Center of Illinois and a respite care provider for Safe Families for Children. Through these two organizations she has fostered 56 babies and toddlers in her care.

Debbie is also a mother, thought leader, spiritual director, volunteer, community activist, and philanthropist. She lives in Chicago, where she enjoys long lake front walks with her dog, Teddy.

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Hello Baby: Building an Oasis in the Desert

‘Hello Baby: Building an Oasis in the Desert’ is a captivating exploration of how imagination and determination can turn the harshest environments into thriving play spaces. This book delves into the intricate process of designing play areas that harmonize with nature, offering insights into sustainable practices and community engagement.

Key themes include resilience, creativity, and the importance of play in child development. Through vivid storytelling and practical advice, Debbie Frisch invites readers to envision a world where every child has access to a playful oasis, regardless of their surroundings.

What Our Readers Say

Emily Johnson

“A captivating journey through the desert, Debbie Frisch’s book is a masterpiece of storytelling and adventure. A must-read!”

Michael Thompson

“Debbie Frisch has crafted a narrative that is both enlightening and entertaining. Her insights into desert life are unparalleled.”

Sarah Lee

“An inspiring tale that left me yearning for my own desert adventure. Frisch’s vivid descriptions bring the landscape to life.”

Snapshots from the Journey

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Get in Touch with Debbie Frisch

We’d love to hear from you! Whether you have questions about the book or want to share your thoughts, feel free to reach out.

Phone

(415) 555-1234

Email

contact@debbiefrisch.com

Address

5678 Book Lane, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90001

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