Our History

Secure Beginnings/Comienzos Seguros (formerly the Nan Tolbert Nurturing Center) opened in 2007 to continue and expand upon Nan Tolbert’s extraordinary service work with families. Nan was a caring and passionate visionary. She was a registered nurse, doula and lactation counselor who visited the homes of families with newborns to ensure that the needs of new families were being met. Regardless of language, religion, parenting styles, or the emotional needs of parents – Nan gave hands-on-help, in her calm and compassionate way.

When Nan passed away in 2006, her friends and the community knew that her work must live on. The Center continues her work through in-home newborn visits, parent education classes, maternal mental health support, Over the years it expanded to provide one-on-one parent consultations, clinical therapy to support families with young children, breast- and first-feeding support, teen parent support, our free diaper bank, workshops, and much more.

Nan Tolbert’s life purpose and passion was service.  For this, she was awarded the honor of being named a “Treasure of Ojai, “and to this day is remembered fondly for her impact in the community.

When the Ojai Hospital closed its Obstetrics Department, Nan knew the Ojai community needed all kinds of support when growing their families.  She had a unique insight and awareness into the needs of families through birth and postpartum, and had a keen understanding of early attachment. Supporting secure parent/child attachment was deeply important to her. This support had powerful effects on the lives of those she worked with, and her impact was felt widely in the community. She could be found in homes doing dishes, helping with first feedings, or bath times. Whether it was through physical or emotional care, she made sure that mothers, fathers, and caregivers were being assisted during this critical time in a family’s life.

Nan was a pioneer, charting the course through her grassroots efforts to educate and inform the community about the importance of investing in early relationships and secure beginnings.

Soon, she acquired support from friends and community members to help expand her work. Through robust and tireless volunteer efforts, Nan and friends received 501(c)3 nonprofit status and founded the Ojai Valley Birth and Resource Center, the foundation of today’s Secure Beginnings/Comienzos Seguros.

Nan’s legacy continues through the heart-centered and impactful programs and services offered at Secure Beginnings/Comienzos Seguros.