By Okon Ekpenyong and Deidre Hill

Over 150 families walked away with Diaper bags and connected with over sixty Franklin County community partners on Saturday, May 31st, as Celebrate One, a program under the umbrella of the city of Columbus, hosted a community baby shower at the Linden Community Center to provide maternal health resources for new and expected parents.

In 2024, the program served over 1573 families; this year, it aims to increase that number and at the Linden Community Center their mission continued. 

“Since 2014, CelebrateOne has been supporting pregnant women and families with babies under the age of one with a mission to get more babies to their first birthdays.” 

An unhealthy baby or complicated pregnancy can be hard for moms, especially those who come from a certain socioeconomic status, so Saturday’s celebration was a way to give resources to those who may not know how to find them.

Also, anyone knows that holding a newborn baby in one’s arms—especially for a mother—is an almost surreal experience, a moment so profound that words often fail to capture its essence. 

That’s why Celebrate One and its partner initiative to connect new and expectant parents with local resources to help ensure this beautiful moment remains a source of positivity. Plus, when babies reach their first birthday and thrive beyond that milestone, that’s what every parent hopes for from day one. 

Data have shown that lack of proper health care, resources for the new mother and the infant, or housing crisis or lack of affording houses for a new family can be hard. 

However, seeing families walking away with roughly 500 diaper bags filled with essential items and community partners providing much-needed advice, encouragement, and counseling to the families is one sign that help is just around the corner. 

Some Celebrate One collaborators include Ohio State University, Columbus Public Health, and over 60 other community organizations. Their mission focuses on reducing preterm births, enhancing prenatal and postpartum care, addressing social determinants of health, and promoting safe sleep practices for infants. Speakers at the Celebrate One baby shower emphasized the crucial role of the labor and delivery department in Central Ohio and throughout the state. Not only do they help with child deliveries, but they also make sure the mother is okay physically and mentally and that the father also has the tools that he needs. 

The success of this department heavily relies on a committed team of maternity nurses, OB/GYN doctors, and hospital staff, all of whom must continuously innovate to ensure the safety of both mothers and newborns. However, the community’s involvement is equally important. Collaboration is key to providing specialized care and resources that can help manage potential complications. 

During the event, vendors highlighted the heartbreaking issue of infant mortality. It’s essential to recognize that this challenge persists despite ongoing research to discover preventive measures. The day was not just about gathering free resources; it was a call to absorb the information shared and truly recognize its significance. Contacting an OB/GYN or pediatrician is wise for anyone with questions or concerns. 

Danielle Tong, the Executive Director of Celebrate One Columbus, underscores that raising awareness is a continuous effort. Too many babies are born underweight or prematurely, leading to higher rates of infant mortality. She also stressed the importance of sleep positioning for newborns, reminding parents to be aware of their baby’s sleep habits, as this can impact comfort and even breathing. Participants at the baby shower had the chance to explore educational resources like the infant safety zone, a family empowerment room focused on job opportunities and financial literacy, and the connector corner for community services. 

There was also a fun zone for kids and a visit from the Columbus Zoo featuring a rescued 70-year-old turtle, plus raffles and giveaways. Attendees enjoyed food and refreshments while networking with over 60 local organizations and sharing valuable resources. Emma Cruose, a care coordination assistant with Celebrate One Columbus and a leadership team member at Liberians in Columbus, Inc., explained that each assistant is assigned a specific zip code to help reach diverse nationalities. 

Many expectant and new mothers often do not know where to find essential resources. One of our primary aims is to guide them on locating help and what items they may need for their babies. Most resources are free, and once they are connected, our associates can assess each family’s unique needs. Celebrate One Columbus also provides resources for expectant and new fathers. 

Cruose also says that the program offers educational materials for dads, emphasizing that the program is open to fathers and mothers. Furthermore, the program partners with the Columbus Metropolitan Library to provide free pregnancy test kits at the main library on Grant Avenue and across 16 other branches, including Reynoldsburg, Whitehall, and Karl Road.

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