Healthy Start Coalition Obtains Funding to Support Healthier Pregnancies in Newtown

[Sarasota, FL – August 17, 2020]  The Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County, Inc. was awarded a $25,000 grant from the Bank of America Client Foundation, Virginia White Clark Fund, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee, to support its Save My Life Program, a culturally sensitive prenatal and postpartum support program targeting pregnant women and new parents the Newtown Community. 

Created in 2006 in response to the alarming racial disparities in maternal and infant health, the Save My Life program addresses poor birth and health outcomes, such as low birth weight, prematurity, and fetal and infant death, which are statistically more likely to be experienced by African-Americans. The Program offers support and education, provided in group settings or home visits, about a variety of health, pregnancy, and baby-care related topics. 

Classes are offered free-of-charge at various locations throughout the Newtown and North Sarasota areas and cover topics such as childbirth education, breastfeeding, nutrition, safe sleep, preconception and interconception health, smoking cessation, and more. Save My Life also offers free, in-home breastfeeding support after the birth of the baby, increasing the likelihood that nursing will continue allowing babies to get the right balance of nutrients, immune protection, and bonding to help them get a healthy start. Through the Safe Sleep Sarasota Initiative, program participants also receive free “Safe Sleep Survival Kits”, which include a convertible bassinet, upon completing the program.

The Program is led by Newtown resident and the Sarasota community’s first African-American Childbirth Educator, Beverly Phelps, CLC, who has over 25 years of experience working with pregnant women and new mothers. “I’m glad resources are available to new expecting parents so we are aware of some things to expect,” states a Save My Life Program Mom. “I’m glad for leaving each session with knowledge I didn’t have prior, and will keep Bev in mind if I have questions, concerns, or additional classes I’d like to attend in the future!”

The Save My Life Program reaches over one hundred pregnant women, new mothers, and women of childbearing age each year. For more information about the program and all Healthy Start Coalition services, please visit healthystartsarasota.org or call (941) 373-7070. 

“This is a truly special program, serving a unique and important need in our community,” states Shon Ewens, Healthy Start Coalition Executive Director. “We are so grateful to the Bank of America Client Foundation for continually seeing the value in supporting the Save My Life Program, and the health and well-being of the moms and babies in Newtown.”