ASHTABULA – The G.O. Community Development Corp. in Ashtabula was the place to be Nov. 1 for new and expecting mothers.
A Community Baby Shower was hosted at the location by Bright Beginnings, a non-profit in Independence, Ohio, which contracts with the Ohio Department of Children and Youth to run the Help Me Grow program, an evidenced-based parent support program.
Debra Evans, of Bright Beginnings, said the Baby Shower was free to participants and vendors. Seven vendors were on hand.
While there, people could learn about such programs as Early Intervention and Home Visiting.
“For every vendor that showed interest in this here, they are also offering their services that they offer to people,” Evans added.
There were also free raffles for prizes like diaper bags or baby gates. Multiple winners were drawn.
“We want to spread the love as much as we can,” Evans said.
She thought there was a real need for this type of event.
“Parents should have a professional there to help them,” she said. “We don’t get manuals with kids, and they’re very complicated and very individual and sometimes the pressure getting it right can be a bit overwhelming. So, having someone there encouraging you or to bounce ideas off of makes a big difference.”
About two dozen people attended the Community Baby Shower in the first hour, according to Evans.
The Ashtabula City Health Department was one of the vendors at the event.
Renee Powell, a certified community health worker, and Nichole Andrus, co-director of nursing, were on hand at the department’s table.
The department had a lot of literature, hand sanitizer, coloring books, and first aid kits for people to pick up.
And that was just the tip of the stethoscope.
There was also information on the department’s services and its location, information on flu and respiratory illness and guidance, head lice pamphlets, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and more.
People were stopping by the department’s table, with some saying they were going to call and make an appointments for vaccines.
Powell thought the Community Baby Shower was a good opportunity.
“There’s a lot of people here that need help and need things,” Andrus said. “There’s quite a few people that didn’t know about these things.”
Hillary Como of Ashtabula, who has one child and is expecting another, was impressed with the Community Baby Shower. She won a diaper bag in the raffle.
“It’s great and it helps mothers out in the area,” she said. “It’s a good event and I appreciate it.”
