NYCHA Partnered with Brooklyn Borough President to Support Growing Families
Healthy Start @ NYCHA and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso hosted a citywide community baby shower that welcomed expectant and growing NYCHA families together with City agencies and community partners for a day centered on care, connection, and support.
Held in December at the Van Dyke Community Center, the event was Healthy Start @ NYCHA’s first citywide baby shower partnership with a borough president.
Approximately 260 people attended the event, including program partners and expectant families. A total of 25 partner organizations participated, including Baby 2 Baby, Little Essentials, Mommas Give Back, Monarch Foundation, the Public Housing Community Fund, and Monarch Foundation, offering information, referrals, and on-site support focused on maternal health, infant safety, housing, nutrition, fatherhood, and family wellbeing. This included NYC Health Department programs such as the Citywide Doula Initiative, Newborn Home Visiting Program, Early Intervention, and Education and Community Partnerships Unit for Healthy Homes community presentation and trainings, and leadership remarks from the Health Department’s Deputy Commissioner and Chief Equity Officer Dr. Zahirah McNatt. The event was also made possibly by sponsor organization partners Baby 2 Baby, Little Essentials, Mommas Give Back, Monarch Foundation, and the Public Housing Community Fund.
“Families thrive when community shows up for them,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “Events like NYCHA’s Citywide Baby Shower and Resource Fair provide information and resources that help families navigate early parenthood while connecting them to a network of support they can lean on. It’s a celebration that sets families up for success from the very beginning. Every parent deserves to bring their little one into the world with this kind of support. I’m proud that my office’s Community Baby Shower Fund could support this effort, and I’m deeply grateful to Healthy Start @ NYCHA for their leadership, care, and commitment to showing up for families when it matters most.”
Families received essential baby items, including diapers and wipes, car seats, strollers, pack ‘n plays, bottles, sippy cups, children’s books, hygiene products, and more. The event also featured educational workshops led by the NYC Poison Center, Birth By Queens, and the NYC Administration for Children’s Services’ Infant Safe Sleep Unit.
“This event reflects what’s possible when City agencies and local leadership come together,” Healthy Start @ NYCHA Senior Project Manager Natasha Dyce said. “We are grateful to the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office for their partnership and dedication to supporting expectant NYCHA families.”
The Healthy Start @ NYCHA program creates safer homes and connections to resources for expecting families. Want info on future events and opportunities? Let NYCHA know if you or a member of your household is expecting through the Self-Service Portal. For more information, email healthy.start@nycha.nyc.gov.