Aim Women’s Center hosts baby shower for three expectant mothers
Trending
STEUBENVILLE -- Expectant mothers look forward to celebrating the impending birth of their children with a traditional baby shower, bursting with friends, family, food, gifts, games and goodwill. But for the clients who attend Aim Women’s Center, that kind of a baby shower is often a fantasy. Aim relies on community organizations to volunteer to host monthly showers for its moms-to-be so they can enjoy a special day for themselves to mark their upcoming new arrival.
When a volunteer host was not available for June, Aim staff stepped in to host the monthly shower, honoring three of its clients whose babies were due to be born in the month of July at its offices at 243 N. Fifth St. in Steubenville. The shower provided everything each mother needed to welcome her baby.
Aim Executive Director Rebekah Cohen Morris said the community organizations and churches that host showers report that they find the event to be fulfilling.
“Many of our baby shower hosts are looking for an opportunity like this when they find us,” she said. “Afterward, members tell us how grateful our moms were and that they were touched to be able to provide such an experience.”
Cohen Morris said a small fraction of the clients Aim serves will receive a baby shower from friends or family.
“The women we serve are low on resources, as are their families, if they remain in contact with them,” she said. “A baby shower is out of the question for them. It’s our hope that holding a traditional shower for them helps provide dignity and a reason to celebrate themselves and their babies.”
Hosting a shower involves bringing organization members together, purchasing gifts for each mother and providing each mother with one of her “big” wish list items, which may be a stroller or a bassinet. Food and decorations are at the organization’s discretion, with some providing full lunch and others providing snacks.
Aim is scheduling baby showers into 2027. If your church or organization is interested in hosting or learning more, call the center at (740) 280-3636.