Community Baby Shower to show support for expectant parents
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A community-focused event aimed at supporting expectant parents also will help raise awareness on important health issues related to pregnancy and early childhood.
On Saturday, Oct. 19, Healthy Start Loving Steps, in partnership with St. John’s AME Church Norfolk, will present a Community Baby Shower from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The free event includes food trucks, community resources, education, raffle prizes and more. It is open to the community.
“In the excitement of a traditional baby shower, the Healthy Start Loving Steps Community Baby Shower is an event to celebrate expectant and new parents welcoming their babies,” said Chanacy Butler, community outreach coordinator for Loving Steps-Virginia Healthy Start Initiative at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University. “The purpose of the event is to build a bridge between the community and local organizations to provide resources and education to families who are unaware of what's offered for support.”
The event, which is co-sponsored by several community organizations and groups including Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA), Reclaiming Blactation, Renaissance Counseling Services, SonShine & Rainbows Lactation, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc – Beta Theta Zeta Chapter, takes place in October, a month that has been used to honor and bring awareness to pregnancy and infant loss.
“Many of these deaths are due to preterm births, lack of prenatal care or other health factors that relate to families living in the Hampton Roads area,” said Butler.
Through the Community Baby Shower, families will gain support and be introduced to home visiting programs, including Loving Steps, who offers case management services to prenatal and postpartum families in Norfolk and Portsmouth.
In addition, doulas, lactation consultants, mental health specialists, along with experts in fatherhood support and representatives from Sentara Norfolk General Hospital’s Maternity Center and WIC will be on-site to share resources.
Monasha Moore, an NRHA youth program specialist, said the event — and the broader work of Loving Steps — is important to her efforts in the community.
“I work hands-on with mothers unaware of the different resources and services that NRHA and other local agencies provide,” she said. “The Healthy Start Loving Steps Community Baby Shower will provide support and services for families to come together and gain insight on parenting, health and wellness, resources, and much more. The Community Baby Shower will create a healthier environment for prenatal and postpartum families.”
For more information or to donate, contact 757-550-7928 or healthystartlovingsteps@evms.edu.
Please note, the location of the event will be shared upon registration.