"What I say could mean the difference between a safe and unsafe environment for a child."
Posted on: January 24, 2014Philadelphia
The protective relationship a new mother feels for her child is commonly referred to in jest. However, as I looked out into the crowd of the 20 different pairs of eyes staring at me expectantly, I find it difficult to see the humor. My first experience providing safe sleep education as a Maternity Care Coalition: Cribs for Kids advocate went relatively smoothly, but, as I left the workshop, I couldn't help but question myself as to why any mother should listen to what I have to say. When I signed up for the position as an AmeriCorps member with the Philadelphia Health Corps, I was excited when I thought about all the things that I could accomplish this year. Having lived in Philadelphia for the majority of my life, I decided that joining the Philadelphia Health Corps would be a great way to give back to my community. However this position took on a new gravity when I realized what I say could mean the difference between a safe and unsafe environment for a child.
With that realization, my initial apprehension of being the person who leads educational workshops immediately disappeared. I was among women who were so passionate about keeping their child safe that they would invite a complete stranger into their house to correct the delicate subject of their parenting choices. Throughout my service day, I find myself taking pleasure in the smallest of things: a mother who places her child on their back after we set up their crib or an older sibling who now corrects their parents with the information they heard while forced to sit through a safe sleep workshop. Even the satisfaction of knowing that we removed one more child out of the dangers of an adult-sized bed and into a crib of their own is enough to remind me why I became an AmeriCorps Member with the Philadelphia Health Corps.
Although there is still so much more needed to be done in the effort to reduce the rate of infant death due to sleep related incidents - which is currently 18% of Philadelphia's infant death total - I am encouraged by every new client we receive. Thanks to the extremely grateful clients, an amazing Cribs for Kids team, the immediate reward of seeing my advice followed, as well as the chance to hold tiny drooling babies, I am able to leave each service day with a smile on my face and pride for my contributions to the Philadelphia community.
