West Chester, PA (March 27, 2024) – Expectant mothers and families with babies and young children are invited to the Community Baby Shower set for Friday, April 12 from 3:30 to 5:30 at Ash Park in Coatesville, Pennsylvania.
The free event, organized by State Senator Carolyn Comitta and the Maternal and Child Health Consortium of Chester County (MCHC), offers an opportunity for moms, children, families, and others to connect with more than 20 local community organizations and the invaluable resources they offer.
“Our young children are the future and it’s essential that parents, grandparents, guardians, and families can access the support and resources they need to raise strong, healthy, and happy kids,” Comitta, who serves on the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus, said. “Whether you are an expectant mom, a new mom, or just looking for additional information and assistance in supporting children and families, we hope you’ll join us on April 12 in Coatesville.”
Milena Lanz, the Executive Director of MCHC, stated, “We at MCHC are delighted to collaborate with the office of Senator Comitta . . . As champions of community health for over two decades, MCHC is proud to continue our legacy of care in Chester County.” She continued, “We’ve dedicated ourselves to supporting at-risk mothers and newborns, and this upcoming event symbolizes our unwavering commitment to nurturing futures and fostering healthier communities.”
The event will feature free activities for children and raffle prizes, as well as the distribution of free diapers and other baby supplies collected by the Maternal and Child Health Consortium.
The Community Baby Shower coincides with Black Maternal Health Week (April 11-17) an important opportunity to bring awareness to and address the fact that maternal health challenges disproportionally impact women and communities of color.
Among affluent nations, the U.S. is already one of the least safe countries to have a baby. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- More than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. are preventable.
- Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women.
- In 2021, the maternal mortality rate for Black women was 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births.
“Maternal Health matters. Every child deserves a healthy start in life and that begins with strong maternal and perinatal care for moms and families,” Comitta said. “I want to thank all of the supporters and advocates for their work in bridging the gap in access to resources, accurate information, and quality care.”