Benevilla employees and volunteers in the Family Resource Center were overjoyed with the number of young mothers who attended their 5th annual “Baby Shower” Friday, May 3rd. The event hosted by Benevilla is for expecting and new mothers and mothers with infants up to 6 months old and is hosted in different locations throughout Northwest Maricopa County. This year it was held at the Glendale-Peoria YMCA. Admission was free.
The Community Baby Shower is a fun and interactive event. The Benevilla Family Resource Center distributed free packs of newborn diapers and every mom went home with an infant brain box (a $90 value) provided through funding from First Things First. Every mom and mom-to-be had the opportunity to win baby shower gifts by answering serious and silly questions about motherhood, child development and parenting .
Twelve community agencies serving infants and families participated and gave out information about their services. Each agency provided a baby gift basket for drawings that was awarded to lucky moms. Overall, there were 70 attendees, 43 mommy guests and 12 community agency exhibitors adding to the fun event.
The event was hosted by the Family Resource Center (FRC), a Benevilla program dedicated to helping parents prepare their children (0-5 years) to start school healthy and ready to succeed.
The wide ranging FRC programs and services include: community services information and referrals, document and health insurance application
preparation, parenting classes & workshops, a lending library for families, adults and children, distribution of school readiness kits and presentations, “Imagination Station” literacy events, DES application assistance (AHCCCS, SNAP, TANF) and a “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren” program among others. To contact The Benevilla Family Resource Center call 623-207-6016 or visit https://benevilla.org/family-resource-center/ Se habla espanol.
“The Community Baby Shower is a fun event giving moms and about-to-be moms a chance to socialize with each other and get baby products to help prepare for and welcome their infants. It also introduces them to important community services pertaining to infants and families.” stated Aleena Erickson, the Family Resource Director for Benevilla.
The Benevilla Family Resource Center is funded by a grant from First Things First. Every mom went home with an infant brain box provided through funding from First Things First. There were variety of resources available at the Benevilla Community Baby Shower.