The problem - Kid's Count Data 2022 (Lewis County, KY) reflects that 32.1% of children are born into poverty and 74% of children are part of low-income families (116 out of 120 counties). The same report states that 17.9% of children are born to mothers without a high school degree with 44.2% (109 out of 120 counties) are born to teen mothers.

The educational program response - The Lewis County Extension Office Master Clothing Volunteers collaborate with The Lewis County Family Resource & Youth Services Centers to make the Community Baby Shower happen.  Our Master Clothing Volunteers (along with some homemakers)  prepared 25 quilts, 50 diaper changing pads, 75 burp cloths & 75 bibs to be distributed to these mothers to emphasize the importance of properly nurturing a new life.....keeping them clean, fed, healthy.

The participants/target audience - Young mothers are usually eager to sign up for the Community Baby Shower plus, if we know someone from another walk, we invite them as well. On the day of the event, we had 23 mothers-to-be, 11 youth/infants, 12 adults, and 2 teens (48 total).

Other partners (if applicable) - Lewis County Family & Youth Services Centers, Lewis County Primary Plus, Adult Education, Anthem Medicare, Carmeuse, First Steps, ICON Center, KY - Nect, Lewis County Library, MCV, SOMC, Wellness, Woodmen of the World

Program impact or participant response.- Unanimously, the mothers - to- be came back to say how appreciative they were of all the supplies, and were impressed with being the recipient of a handmade quilt!