CHW, Maria Crothers, Supports New and Expecting Potter Parents with Annual Baby Shower

Since 2017, Genesee Health Plan has been grateful to have Community Health Worker, Maria Crothers, working in the Flint Community Schools. Maria is currently located at Potter Elementary School, where she provides endless support for her students through mentorship, tutoring, and the “Healthy Me” program; a program that Maria developed to teach students about the importance of hygiene. Maria not only provides support for her students, but for parents as well. One example of Maria’s passion for Potter families is the annual baby shower that she hosts every year.

For the last seven years, expectant and new mothers and their families from the Potter community have been invited to a Potter community baby shower, where they can receive important resources and baby care items while enjoying food, games, and the company of other expectant mothers and families. “This will be my eighth year!” Maria said, “I’m proud of myself; from starting with very few attendees to having an overwhelming response. Originally there were only eight people in attendance, now I’m up to 28! It gets bigger and bigger every time, but I am always hoping for more.”

Each mother that attends the shower is welcomed with a goodie bag that contains baby bottles, spoons, a pacifier, wipes, baby toys, teethers, and vital information including the new Flint Kids Rx program. When the shower ends, mothers are sent home with even more essential baby items, including baby clothes, diapers, and equipment such as highchairs, strollers, and breast pumps. “This day is all about the moms; to get lunch, resources, and have a relaxing day.” said Maria, “One provider made us care baskets with blankets covering them, and our parents felt so special! They left with so many items that our student council offered to help them take things to their cars.”

In addition to GHP staff being present, the Pregnancy Resource Center of Flint, GISD Early Head Start, GISD SKIP program, Hurley Parent Education/Lactation Consultants, and the Flint Center for Excellence-Community Education program attended the event to provide families with valuable information about breast feeding, infant health, dental health, and free family events.

“This is what we’re here for; to provide the things that parents need for their children to have a chance at a normal, happy life, without having to worry about having diapers or food for their infant. The best part is to see how happy parents are to get these items and provide for their families.”

Like Maria’s annual baby shower for Potter families, community baby showers are becoming a popular trend amongst non-profits with a goal to help families. These events have become vital to mothers in the Genesee County community by providing new parents with the opportunity to celebrate their little one while also getting the baby items and resources they need to provide for their family. Maria expressed that these events are important for families who may be struggling to afford basic care items for their infant. “We have a lot of parents who are in need. When I host these showers, the event is all on me; people donate, but this is all on me; to provide the food, decorations, and resources. I’m happy to do it though; to provide this service for children who aren’t even here yet. It lifts my heart to see parents come to these events, to be able to see how these parents love their little one so much.” However, Maria continues to develop new ideas to improve this event; she is currently searching for someone who would be open to discussing grief due to the loss of a baby at her next shower.

            Maria’s advice to other CHWs that are interested in hosting a baby shower or similar event is to be yourself and provide the resources for your attendees that you feel you would need if you were in their position. “Remember that everyone counts in this world, and you should always try to make things easier and better for the community we live in, especially our children.” She also emphasized how important it is to have a strong connection and passion for the event that you are putting on for the community. “This comes from my heart and soul; this is what I need to do, so make sure you put your whole heart into what you’re doing and do it!”

            Genesee Health Plan is proud of the work Maria has done, and continues to do, at Potter Elementary. Due to her passion for the children and parents at her school, Maria has been nominated for the Voices for Children’s 2024 Caring Adult Award. Along with other nominees, Maria will be honored at the annual Children’s Champion Award Banquet, hosted by the Voices for Children Advocacy Center.