NEW YORK — First Lady Chirlane McCray kicked off a series of showers at the New York Public Library, Schwarzman Building, 42nd Street Main Branch on February 6, 2016.
The series of 10 free baby showers was hosted by The New York City Children’s Cabinet to provide families with practical items like diapers, clothing and baby supplies. Attending families could also connect to City and community support programs, such as registering for a library card, IDNYC, or child care services, and learning about the Safe Sleep for Babies program and maternal and child health resources in local communities.
Future baby showers will include events tailored to fathers and male caregivers, young parents, Spanish-speaking parents and caregivers and LGBTQ families. Space is limited, so parents and caregivers must RSVP in advance upon receipt of an invitation. They can sign up for invitations to future baby showers here. Parents and caregivers are eligible to attend if they are currently expecting a child or have a child under one-year-old.
“I often point out that it’s easier to grow a healthy child than to mend a broken adult,” said First Lady Chirlane McCray. “But parenting is hard work. With these showers, we support our parents and give them some of the tools they need to help prepare their children for the future.”
In 2016, more than 100,000 babies will be born across NYC. The showers are part of the Cabinet’s “Talk to Your Baby” campaign, which promotes language acquisition, parent-child attachment and healthy brain development by encouraging parents to talk, read and sing to their babies from birth. Developed with support from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the campaign’s partners include Scholastic, Inc., The Clinton Foundation and Sesame Street.
The Baby Showers are organized by the NYC Children’s Cabinet, which consists of 24 City agencies and Mayoral offices and is chaired by Deputy Mayor Richard Buery.
The Cabinet agencies work together to advance the Mayor’s commitment to increasing child safety and well-being in high-need communities.
Photo credit: Michael Appleton
