There is a very specific moment in parenting where you realize you were never meant to do this solo. Not in a dramatic, movie-scene way. More like standing in the kitchen, mentally balancing dinner, diapers, and tomorrow’s calendar, and thinking, “Wow. A village would be so helpful right now.”
That is exactly why Macaroni KID Capital Region created Village Builders, and why we are so proud to introduce our Harrisburg & West Shore recipient for 2026: The Nest of Pennsylvania.
Meet The Nest of Pennsylvania
The Nest is a nonprofit built around a simple, powerful truth: when parents are supported, children thrive. They exist to empower caregivers through connection, resources, and trusted support so families can raise the next generation with care, compassion, and confidence.
Their model is intentionally low-barrier and human. No maze of paperwork. No “call back in 6 to 8 weeks.” Just real support, offered with dignity, in a way that makes it easier for parents to breathe again and show up for their kids.
What The Nest Does (In Real-Life Terms)
Community Care
Practical support and resource guidance when families need help now. Think essentials, care baskets, meal support, and “We’ve got you” moments that arrive without red tape.
Expert-Led Classes
Evidence-based workshops taught by trusted professionals in welcoming spaces. Donation-based, easy to join, and built around take-home tools parents can use the same day.
Connection Circles
Peer support groups and low-lift meetups that make belonging feel simple. Lightly facilitated. Clear guidelines. Always a seat for you.
A Personal Note From a Mom Who Needed a Village
There was a season of my life where I was doing all the things that look responsible on paper. Appointments. Routines. Evaluations. Therapy homework. Big decisions that feel too big for a kitchen table, but somehow still happen at a kitchen table.
One of my kids went quiet around 18 months old. Not the peaceful, “Wow, what a calm toddler” kind. The kind that makes you pay attention. The kind that changes your mental to-do list into a full-time job. At the same time, I was pregnant, trying to keep another child thriving, and learning an entirely new vocabulary of supports, services, and strategies that nobody teaches you in Parenting 101.
What I needed most in that season was not a perfect plan. I needed people. I needed a place where help did not come with hoops. I needed someone to say, “You’re not the only one. Come sit with us.” That is why The Nest matters. Because it is not just supporting kids. It is supporting the adults who are holding everything together.
How Village Builders Are Selected
Each year, Macaroni KID Capital Region selects one nonprofit per region to receive a $2,947 in-kind marketing grant, designed to amplify the work of organizations quietly doing meaningful, life-changing work for local families.
2026 marks the inaugural year of the Village Builders program, and I intend to make this an annual tradition because our communities are stronger when these organizations are seen, supported, and easier for families to find.
Village Builders are not chosen based on popularity, advertising, or who has the loudest voice online. Final selections are made by a small committee of Macaroni KID ambassadors and volunteers using a mission-alignment review process. (In other words, this was not me picking my personal favorites while eating cold chicken nuggets over the sink.)
- Clear impact on children and families in the region
- Commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and belonging
- Demonstrated community need and potential for growth
- A strong match for Macaroni KID’s “families making memories” mission
What The Nest Receives as a 2026 Village Builder
- A 12-month advertising package, featuring a sidebar ad and upgraded directory listing
- A custom Event Spotlight for their largest annual fundraiser or signature community event
- Optional complimentary tabling at select Macaroni KID events, when space and event fit allow
- In-article cross-links in relevant Macaroni KID guides when applicable
- Concierge support and periodic bonus exposure when inventory allows
Want to Connect With The Nest?
If you are craving connection, support, or a place to land, you can explore upcoming events and programs here: The Nest of Pennsylvania Upcoming Events .
If you have ever wished parenting came with a “Where do I even start?” button, The Nest is building the answer in real life, with real people, right here in our region. We are proud to help amplify their work in 2026.
About Macaroni KID Harrisburg & West Shore
Macaroni KID Harrisburg & West Shore is your trusted local resource for family-friendly events, activities, and things to do with kids in Camp Hill, Dauphin, Duncannon, Enola, Grantham, Harrisburg, Lemoyne, Mechanicsburg, Marysville, New Cumberland, Summerdale and surrounding communities. We connect families with local events, seasonal guides, trusted businesses, and memory-making experiences every week.
