Christ Enrichment Center Take Action Project final

          This take action project has not only opened my eyes it has reestablished me in my community. I can honestly say I have been out of touch with my community since being laid off from the Flint Board of Education. This project has reignited my spark and allowed me to see what needs to be done and how I can continue to work with the community even if right now I am not working.

          Healthy Start is through the Genesee County Health Department and is housed in the Christ Enrichment center. Healthy Start targets Moms at risk of infant mortality, it is primarily gaged at the African American population and the ages range from 16 – 25. Young moms are recruited a during their delivery time at the hospital or during their visit with their DHS worker. Social workers speak with them and encourage them into the program. Healthy start enrolls the women and their children in what is called Baby College. Transportation is provided, a healthy lunch for the moms and babies and then they transition to the focus group.

          During my volunteer time I was first briefed by the supervisor on what was on the agenda for the day and the specifics of what I was expected to do.  I transitioned to the meeting area and begin to set up the meal and prepare the tables. Had the chance to converse with the Social workers who conduct the focus groups. Although in my opinion their passion for the ladies did not seem as intense as the supervisor but I admired their dedication to their field. The ladies and the babies began to arrive and the specifics of the volunteer expectations went ‘out the window’. The children seem to gravitate to me as well as the parents once I was introduced. I was asked by the social workers to come into the group and my input was welcomed by all. The moms sat, talked and laughed with me. I’m pointing this out because in that community strangers are not taken too well. It usually takes a view visits to be welcomed warmly. It was as if they knew me. I was ecstatic to be in my element, back working, empowering and encouraging young women. The focus group was centered on problem solving, loving of yourself and your children. They were encouraged to establish a support group within the healthy start group so during the holiday meeting when there was no formal meeting they could still support one another. Before the ladies left they had interaction time with their babies using everyday household objects to engage the babies (e.g. a card board box), and believe it or not the children appeared to have more fun with the boxes than the toys provided. Between the moms in reference to a support group, a Christmas party was planned with secret Santa between the ladies.

          I thoroughly enjoyed this project, it was, to me, the best part of this class. Today I received a call from the supervisor of Healthy Start, and to my surprise, my presence has been requested to attend the last meeting of the year.  It is an honor just to be considered, and to have the opportunity to positively take action in my community.