The Program Coordinator continued to be successful in maintaining all the objectives of the project. She worked closely with the African American Faith-Based Coalition, ensuring the program always had the maximum number of participants. Based upon the relationships she had established, we could easily add more mothers/nurturers to the program. She enjoyed working with and empowering the mothers in the program. The African American mothers expressed a positive interest in having African American representation as the project coordinator and said that it was easier to be able to connect and be transparent with her because she was African American. Development activities were given to all of the babies enrolled in the program and had helped them successfully reach and surpass their milestones, as well as helping some of the babies who were behind in milestones to catch up. We had helped the mothers by providing diapers and wipes for all of their babies, as well as providing gift cards to Walmart for the moms. The project coordinator was able to prepare first-time moms for motherhood and equip them with the necessary tools to be able to give the best nutrition with breastfeeding equipment and lactation nutrition. This program provided a mother with premature twins in need of a hospital-grade breast pump to help successfully nurse her twins efficiently, and she was provided with one. Her babies were very healthy, and you could not tell they were born 3 months early. A mother was reluctant about breastfeeding, and the project coordinator was able to help her with re-lactation information as well as provide her with the resources to be able to successfully breastfeed her new baby. The pregnant mothers were referred to the African American Abundant Birth Project and were selected to receive an $803.00 monthly stipend to reduce financial stress. The pregnant mothers were given a fully stocked delivery and post-partum kit with all the essential items needed for delivery and post-partum recovery and healing. Amongst other things, they also received a diaper bag to pack and take to the hospital for their new baby. Pregnant mothers in need of a clinic were referred to WIP clinic and given all the information needed to prepare for delivery there. They were also referred to the classes available at the WIP clinic to have additional education on preparing for delivery. New mothers were referred to and connected to other programs for additional supportive services such as Black Infant Health and Welcome Baby. This program also provided mothers with someone to help them feel supported, heard, and a confidant, by providing a project coordinator for them to help them on their motherhood journey. The mothers were made aware of the African American Infant and Maternal Mortality rate and encouraged to advocate for themselves and babies while at their doctors’ appointments. They were also given information on heart health, SIDS, prenatal nutrition and exercise information, as well as post-partum nutrition and exercise information. Some of the mothers were referred to and connected to therapists to help with depression. The project coordinator invited all of the mothers to free shopping events at Antelope Valley Partners for Help. The mothers who attended received several clothing and hygiene items for their children. The project coordinator shopped for the mothers who were unable to attend the shopping events and delivered their items to them. Some of the mothers were also referred to financial planners to help with financial management. A mother in the program who was living in a shelter was able to move out and get a furnished apartment for her and her children.

Gym Memberships

Based upon focus groups conducted with mothers/nurturers of the program, it became clear that they were concerned about their physical appearance after pregnancy. Due to the fact this resource was free, it was embraced by women in the program. The mothers appreciated the free membership and enjoyed their workouts. They experienced reduced stress, more energy, and it provided a positive outlet for them. Some of the mothers started eating much healthier and giving healthier foods to their children and continued exercising.

Coalition Meeting

The African American Faith-Based Coalition had been firmly established with monthly meetings. There had been several iterations as it related to meeting in person, meetings during the day versus the evening, or Zoom only. Currently, the meetings were Zoom only and were recorded for those unable to attend.

Referral System

The Antelope Valley Faith-Based Coalition, in collaboration with Unite Us California, implemented an initiative to enhance community health and well-being. Unite Us was a coordinated care network that connected healthcare, government, nonprofit, and other organizations to provide comprehensive support services. By joining the Unite Us platform, participating churches gained access to a powerful tool for identifying and connecting individuals with essential resources. This included services such as housing assistance, food security, mental health support, and more. To maximize the impact of this initiative, churches were encouraged to:

-Display Unite Us posters and flyers in their lobbies.

-Distribute flyers to congregants.

-Promote Unite Us during church services, Bible studies, and classes.

-Utilize their websites to advertise the program.

The data collected through the Unite Us platform provided valuable insights into the needs of the community and the impact of church-based referrals. This data was used to advocate for increased resources and support for underserved populations. Additionally, churches could leverage the Unite Us platform to showcase their own resources and services to the broader community. This innovative approach enhanced church visibility and attracted new members. By embracing the Unite Us platform, the Antelope Valley African American Faith-Based Coalition empowered churches to play a vital role in addressing the complex social and health challenges facing the community. We endeavored to have all coalition members utilizing this platform.