941-373-7070

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. 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. 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. “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.”

941-373-7070

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