Learning about programs at Family Nurturing Center open on Youngstown’s south side
Organizers of the new Mercy Health Family Nurturing Center on the south side of Youngstown hosted an open house to bless the programs and patrons coming through its doors for community health programs.
The new center is located inside Mercy Health Cornersburg Primary Care. It will be designated for multiple programs already provided at other sites.
Organizers of the programs have been working to come together to bless the center for a while. Still, they said the wait was worth it to provide an accessible nurturing center to the community.
“We want to do to be able to have a place where individuals could come kind of relax and chill and heal- mentally, physically, get away from the stress of the day, maybe bring your children with them,” said Leigh Greene, director of Community Health for Mercy Health in Youngstown.
These community health programs include Centering Pregnancy, Resource Mothers, 24/7 Dads and Fatherhood Support, Fresh Start cooking classes for family members, and learning CPR and how to fasten kids into their car seats safely.
“It’s about easy access and education, providing a safe place for our parents to come and to feel welcomed and nurtured. We’re on the south side, which is actually an area that is surrounded by high Black infant mortality. We’re also on the bus line to actually support those individuals who might not have access to get to other locations that they feel comfortable coming here and participating in our programs. It’s open to the community and we’re just so happy to have this space and grateful to the Foundation.”
Fatherhood Support
One of the programs calling the Family Nurturing Center home is Fatherhood Support, inspired by the National Fatherhood Initiative to help men become well-rounded dads.
Darrel Johnson, a certified community health worker at Mercy Health, discussed finding a home for the evidence-based advice and educational tools in Fatherhood Support and the 24/7 Dad program.
“I am so grateful for this place because during COVID-19, I had to do my fatherhood support via Zoom and the participation was okay, but it didn’t feel right,” he said. “When we opened up this space, the guys that came in, they liked it because they found it to be a safe place. They can get to know other guys; they can talk like men talk to one another. And at the same time, they learn how to be a responsible father, responsible husband, boyfriend and so forth. Before we wrapped up the session, I asked the guys to give me a few words about the space and, you know, I heard awesome, invaluable, and I heard supportive. I am grateful for this place.”
Centering pregnancy program
Anna Baldwin has been part of the Centering Pregnancy program at Mercy Health for eight years, first becoming involved as a mother herself in the program and sticking around to help more incoming parents.
She explained Centering Pregnancy is about creating a patient-centric safe education space for local mothers and parents.
“We like to encourage women to be the best they can by educating them on what to expect throughout the whole pregnancy. And also being there for them be that open ear to heart and that mouthpiece for them for them to to encourage them to speak better for themselves,” Baldwin said.
She commended the team for growing so much since starting in 2015 to combat the high infant mortality rates and described the new center as “a dream come true.”
“I started off being a centering mom about eight years ago, so to see it evolve-- and also having another centering mom on the team-- it’s just amazing how the ministry has just grown as a whole,” she said. “Not only does it reach the community, but it reaches us. It lets us know that what we have inside of us is valuable because when we get out, we’re able to see the hearts give back to us in work and in sponsorship. I love what I do. And I know my team loves what they do; I feel welcomed here as well as in my job so it’s like I’m grateful to be here and so amazing.”
She wrapped up the blessing by giving attendees and fellow program organizers this advice to live by:
“One thing I live by is: K-I-M, I keep it moving no matter what. L-I-G, Let It Go. I let go of everything that could offend me or possibly mismanage my day. I let it go. Then I’ll Q-T-I-P, quit taking it personally. Then on top of that, I K-M-F, which is I keep my faith,” said Baldwin.
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