Catholic Charities Hosts 11th Annual Community Baby Shower
The Catholic Charities Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault program will host its 11th Annual Community Baby Shower on Friday, October 17, 4-6 p.m. at the Salvation Army, Lakin Campus at 715 N 16th St., Council Bluffs, IA, to support new and expecting parents and families with newborns.
Held each year in October during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the event provides families with free baby gear and essentials, oral health screenings for pregnant individuals, community resources and informational sessions focused on wellness and parenting. The event will also feature raffle drawings and children’s activities like face painting.
“The Community Baby Shower is an amazing event that allows us to support families here in our community,” said Nelcy Vargas, Catholic Charities Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program Manager. “We also want to raise awareness about the increased risks of domestic violence faced by pregnant individuals.”
Research shows that pregnant women are 60 percent more likely than non-pregnant women to be assaulted by their partner. One in six survivors report that abuse began during pregnancy. By offering essential supplies and connecting families to local resources, the event aims to promote safety, wellness, and stability for families with newborns.
This event is made possible through the support of Gabriel’s Corner, Iowa Total Care, Mary’s Helping Hands, Molina Healthcare and Wellpoint, who serve as the event’s sponsors. Community partners participating include:
- Accident Care and Treatment Center (Chiropractic)
- All Care Health Center
- Birthright of Council Bluffs
- Child and Family Resource Network
- Council Bluffs Public Library
- Firefly
- Iowa Total Care
- Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital
- Molina Healthcare
- Parent Partner Program- Children and Families of Iowa
- Pottawattamie County Public Health
- Pottawattamie County WIC Program
- United Way of the Midlands
- Wellpoint
“We are extremely grateful to our community partners and sponsors for their support and dedication,” said Vargas.
The baby shower is open to all expecting parents and families with infants. Registration is required by Friday, October 10. For questions or to register for the event, call 712-256-2059 extension 103 for English or extension 110 for Spanish.
The Catholic Charities Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault program provides free and confidential services to victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. Services include a 24-hour crisis phone line, emergency shelter, court advocacy and much more. The program is based in Council Bluffs, Iowa and serves nine counties in Southwest Iowa.