Healthy Start @ NYCHA Program Launches with Baby Shower at Ingersoll Houses

On March 5, NYCHA’s Health Initiatives team, in partnership with over 20 organizations, hosted a Baby Shower Resource Fair at Ingersoll Houses in Brooklyn. Expecting and pregnant NYCHA residents from across the city received baby and child supplies such as diapers, blankets, books, baby bouncers, pajamas, stuffed animals, baby bags, medicine kits, gift cards, baby baskets, swaddles, toys, and more. They were also introduced to various partners and programs that specialize in childcare services, bonding classes, newborn home visiting, and doula services. Raffle items included a high chair, stroller, Pack ‘n Play, and car seat. And families enjoyed fun activities, including a photo booth and special entertainment from Carnegie Hall’s Lullaby Project artists.

About 200 residents attended, including a new father whose partner delivered a baby that very morning and a family that brought their 9-day-old newborn.

One resident said the first-time event was timely, as she had difficulty affording childcare supplies: “I find this a blessing. I never knew we had resources like this before.” Another resident said she was glad she was able to participate: “I think this is a good idea to help the expecting families. They gave us a lot of good stuff. I appreciate it all so much – all the vendors and gifts are great.”

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and City Council Member Crystal Hudson were among the special guests. Ingersoll Houses Resident Association President Darold Burgess said he hopes NYCHA can work with partners to host additional events: “This event was beneficial to expecting mothers and families. The collaboration of everyone involved made it successful. The aim to engage the community was phenomenal.”

The Baby Shower also introduced Healthy Start @ NYCHA, a new program connecting expecting families to resources and support. Andrea Mata, NYCHA’s Director of Health Initiatives, said that Healthy Start is working to create safer homes for NYCHA families with a newborn or infant and build stronger connections to resources from partners. “NYC families have dealt with a lot during the past couple of years, and we want to make sure growing families are able to access support during this important time,” Ms. Mata noted.

You can now let NYCHA know if your family is expecting through the Authority’s Self-Service Portal. Sharing this information will help NYCHA create safer homes for children and keep you up to date with information and available resources. If you have any questions, please email healthy.start@nycha.nyc.gov.

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