Because of the generosity of foundation donors, the Ingalls Development Foundation is able to fund the entire Healthy Baby Network Program. We connect expecting women in Chicago Southland to resources that assist in a healthy pregnancy, delivery, and baby.
Volunteers packed the Ingalls Memorial Cancer Center entrance to hand out needed supplies for moms-to-be at the Healthy Baby Network’s 5th annual Drive-Thru Baby Shower on Saturday, September 14. Funded by the Ingalls Memorial Foundation, moms-to-be received a sturdy backpack diaper bag filled with everything needed to get a jumpstart on baby care. A few lucky families chosen at random received top-of-the-line baby equipment. Others received extraordinary gifts from Ingalls staff: Linda Mccormick Ervin curated three crates filled with adorable outfits and supplies, and Nikia Johnson crocheted Minnie and Mickey Mouse baby costumes.
“It is such an amazing feeling that we have a thumbprint on our community where they know they can come to Ingalls and we’ll be able to provide them resources. I think that’s so big for us that oftentimes we kind of just push to the side, but we’re literally helping a family start life,” said Shanice Williams, OB Program Manager and Healthy Baby Network Coordinator. Read the story
Shanice Williams, MPH, CLC, OB Program Manager, shares the great work being done at Ingalls with Cook County commissioners. County Commissioner Monica Gordon asked her to speak Raising Awareness Regarding Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths in Illinois. Williams said:
women assisted with
prenatal resources
created, which is a community fair
for expecting families that connects
them to local organizations
diaper bags distributed,
packed with baby items for
beginning stages of parenthood
“The Drive-Thru Baby Shower is a beautiful event that happens every single year. We’re very happy to be here participating, helping underserved communities in Harvey and other neighborhoods. Each gift bag helps that baby start their life.”
SHANICE WILLIAMS, INGALLS COMMUNITY OUTREACH COORDINATOR
The Healthy Baby Network is a community out-reach program that includes a unique network of local healthcare providers, retailers, government agencies, schools and community organizations that work together to coordinate prenatal care, education and social services for pregnant women.
The Healthy Baby Network is located inside of UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial on Labor and Delivery in Harvey, IL.
Annual events include Babypalooza and a Drive-Thru Baby Shower for expectant mothers. Healthy Baby Network also provides Classes on breastfeeding, child birth preparation, and infant care.
The need for increased access to prenatal care for poor and low income pregnant women is dire given the recent closures of four labor and delivery units in Chicagoland, including South Suburban Hospital in nearby Hazel Crest. UCM Ingalls and its unique Healthy Baby Network stand alone in providing labor and delivery and outreach services in a 15-mile radius. Patients experience a one-on-one meeting where needs are defined and patients are immediately connected to services.
The Ingalls Development Foundation is grateful to The Coleman Foundation for its generous support of $50,000 per year for the Healthy Baby Network Program.
