About 100 new and expecting moms were celebrated on Saturday by Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso as he threw a communal baby shower in Brownsville.
The day-long-celebration at the Van Dyke Community Center, part of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), featured games, giveaways and information about pregnancy and postpartum care, according to a news release.
“When I became Borough President, I promised Brooklyn that addressing disparities in maternal health care for Black women would be a top priority,” said Reynoso. “For too long, our systems have deprived new and expecting parents of the essentials that they need to start a family. Community baby showers like this are part of a new way forward that Brooklyn is building for growing families."
Reynoso said he wanted to celebrate the exciting journey of parenthood for new parents by providing resources to close the gaps in maternal healthcare through community, celebration and love.
The celebration kicked off with games and arts & crafts and included two workshops: a Safe Sleep Workshop by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and a Postpartum Mental Health Workshop by Brooklyn Parent Support.
Over a dozen organizations set up table at the event, providing information, resources and supplies to new families. Attendees left with diaper bags full of diapers, baby wipes, baby blankets, postpartum pads and baby books, as well as a supply box containing a baby bottle, cocoa butter, baby wipes and more.
The event was made possible with partners including Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield HP, Public Health Solutions, and Lyft, who provided attendees with ride codes for a safe travel home. Additional partners include: Met Council; Brooklyn Diaper Project; and the Brooklyn Book Bodega.
