TAKE ACTION PROJECT UPDATE

 

It took a while to decide where to do my take action project. My goal was to engage in the neighborhood I grew up in which was the north side of Flint. As I searched for an agency I was introduced to the Christ Enrichment Center.  I called then met with one of the supervisors, at first they stated they could accommodate me by allowing me to volunteer answering the phone. I agreed to come back, yet I left discouraged. I kept my word and returned to the center the following week, no one was there to greet me, I heard voices and I went towards them in the basement. When I got downstairs I saw lots of women and children appearing to be in some sort of play group. I was taken to the supervisor that I had spoken with previously, once again I explained my project, this time much more in depth. She stated she had the perfect opportunity for me and it was back where I had just come from, downstairs with the women and children.  I met with the supervisor of the group which is through the Genesee County Health Department it’s called Healthy Start, a program designed for moms at risk of Infant mortality. The program designed for the children is called Baby College using the curriculum Love, Listen and Play. The moms are educated in how to live a healthy life, socially, mentally and physically, they meet with trained social workers and their babies engage in developmentally appropriate activities. Mrs. Dawson shared her personal testimony by stating she was a stay at home mom and ‘this was the only thing that brought her out of the house’. She stated she made it her personal quest to embrace the young African American mom that she feels people are desensitized about. The goal is to empower these young women, to raise the expectation of the young moms and their babies, while uplifting their spirits with something as simple as a hug.