Hyannis, MA — Cape & Islands United Way (CIUW), a nonprofit organization on a mission to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our communities to advance the common good on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket, recently hosted three Community Baby Showers in Hyannis, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket in May.
Photo Credit: Julia Cumes
In the spirit of a traditional baby shower, the Community Baby Shower program is a celebration for new and expectant mothers. The event’s purpose is to serve low-income families, providing baby essentials, supplies, and access to local resources that will help give them a stronger start to parenthood. This year, CIUW served 140 expectant moms andfamilies and over 400 families to date. Families received diapers, car seats, bath supplies, clothing, and more.
“It took a lot of volunteers, partnering with more than 30 community service organizations, reaching out to donors and sponsors to make these baby showers happen,” said Mark Skala, President and Chief Executive Officer of CIUW. “It was inspiring and encouraging to see so many people step up and make sure moms and babies on the Cape and Islands know they are loved and cared about.”
CIUW is dedicated to serving Cape Cod’s women and children through its Women United initiative. Since its launch in 2017, Women United has invested more than $275,000 into the community through programming, emergency funding, and micro-grants.
CIUW partnered with A Baby Center, Boys & Girls Club, Cape Cod Baby, Cape Cod Children’s Place, Cape Cod Healthcare, Cape Cod Toy Library, Cape Kid Meals, Child Care Network, Children’s Cove, Community Health Center, Falmouth Service Center, Family Pantry, Family Resource Center, Health Imperatives, Healthy Children Project, Housing Assistance, Hyannis Health Ministry, Island Grown Initiative, Martha’s Vineyard Community Services, Maternal Depression Task Force, Moms Do Care, Motherly Love, Nantucket Cottage Hospital, Nantucket Family Resource Center, Outer Cape Health Services, Read Happy, Sandwich Schools, and WIC to provide expectant families with access to community resources.
Photo Credit: Arletta Charter
The Community Baby Showers were sponsored by Granite City Electric Supply Company, Premier Companies, The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod, First Citizens’ Federal Credit Union, Cape Cod Five, Macy’s, Martha’s Vineyard Bank Charitable Foundation, A Baby Center, Health Imperatives, WIC, Nantucket Community School, MV Community Services, Great Harbor Market, Community Foundation of Nantucket, Old Navy, Hy-Line Cruises, Dennis and Barclay Kass, Hawknest Fund of The Cape Cod Foundation, Lawrence-Lynch Corp. Foundation for Charitable Giving of The Cape Cod Foundation, O’Neil Family Fund of The Cape Cod Foundation, Patrick M. Butler Charitable Fund of The Cape Cod Foundation, and Community Fund for Young People of The Cape Cod Foundation.
About Cape & Islands United Way
The Cape and Islands United Way is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization leading social impact on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket. Partnering with donors, volunteers, and nonprofit organizations, our mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our communities to advance the common good within our region. Our pillars of priority include promoting health, improving educational success, creating housing stability, and encouraging economic stability.
