United Way Hosts Community Baby Shower in Roxbury For Record Number of Families
June 15, 2016
Partnership between United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council and Depend connects 200 families to critical resources that support healthy child development
Roxbury, MA — When she arrived in Massachusetts with nothing to her name, Tamiko discovered that well-meaning people placed in her life at just the right time would give her more than she ever dreamed. Three years ago, while homeless and expecting her second baby, Tamiko attended United Way’s Community Baby Shower.
The annual event, organized by the Women’s Leadership Council, welcomes low-income new and expecting mothers for a special celebratory evening that provides them with not only resources, but the companionship and advice that is so important during this time. The connections Tamiko made at the event not only helped her right away, but eventually also led to a stable home and a job as a customer service representative.
Tamiko is one of over 325 families who have attended United Way’s Community Baby Shower since the first one was held in 2011. Thanks to the generosity of United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council and Depend, this year’s Community Baby Shower was the largest ever, hosting over 200 families at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center, more than double the number of families who attended last year.
Many local businesses also donated the baby items and other in-kind services for the shower, including Wegmans, Cetaphil, TwelveLittle, Bundle Organics, Halo, Beco, Evenflo, Falcon Investments, Brown Brothers Harriman, CBIZ Tofias, UPS and Enterprise.In the spirit of a traditional baby shower, the event connects pregnant women and new parents with each other, while offering educational presentations, resource tables, donated baby items, plus dinner, games and prizes. Each expectant and new mother receives a gift bag containing necessities and educational materials for the beginning of their journey into parenthood.
About Depend and United Way:
Depend and United Way are coming together to promote healthy, active and independent living throughout an individual’s life, with a focus on volunteering.