Mother Blessing Way Baby Shower: Celebrating Mothers & Strengthening Community
On March 15, 2025, the Urban League of Hampton Roads’ Health team gathered at Serenity’s Oasis in Portsmouth, VA, for the Mother Blessing Way Baby Shower—an event created to uplift, educate, and support new and expecting mothers.
More than just a traditional baby shower, this gathering offered a welcoming space for mothers to connect with essential health resources, receive encouragement, and build meaningful relationships within the community.
A Day of Connection and Care
Throughout the day, mothers engaged with maternal health professionals, lactation consultants, and community organizations, gaining valuable information and support.
Here are a few key highlights:
✅ Personalized guidance from WIC, the Virginia Department of Health, and AM 2 AM Breast & Lactation Consulting
✅ Interactive workshops and vendor sessions focused on breastfeeding, prenatal care, and postpartum wellness
✅ Over 175 donated baby and maternal care items distributed to families
✅ Dedicated volunteers ensured the event was warm, welcoming, and well-organized
✅ Video interviews with vendors and facilitators were recorded for future storytelling and outreach
Community Support & Volunteer Contributions
This event would not have been possible without the incredible support of our volunteers, donors, and community partners.
Special thanks to:
💙 Norfolk State University student donors
💙 Norfolk State University Social Work Society volunteers
💙 Zeta Phi Beta (Portsmouth Chapter) volunteers and donors
💙 Eta Theta Psi Sorority Inc. (Kappa Colony) donors and volunteers
💙 Alpha Omega Kappa Fraternity Inc. (Alpha Colony) donors
💙 Alpha Omega Kappa Fraternity Inc. (Eta Colony) donors
💙 Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity Inc. (Phi Mu Chapter) volunteers
We also appreciate the contributions of our participating vendors, who provided educational materials, health services, and wellness resources throughout the event:
- AM 2 AM LLC offered breastfeeding and maternal care support through one-on-one consultations and resource sharing.
- Birdsong Health Literacy Center of Excellence / Healthier 757 provided accessible health education tools to promote informed decision-making.
- Healthy Start Loving Steps connected attendees with maternal and child health programs tailored to early family care.
- Portsmouth WIC offered guidance and access to nutritional support programs for mothers and young children.
- Virginia Department of Health – Portsmouth conducted health screenings and shared resources focused on maternal wellness.
- Beauty Bar LLC and Unique Esthetics School & Spa LLC provided self-care tips and wellness services to promote physical and emotional well-being.
Their presence and participation helped ensure that every attendee left with valuable knowledge, essential supplies, and supportive community connections.
Looking Ahead: Be a Part of the Next One
The Mother Blessing Way Baby Shower is a reminder of the power of community-driven maternal health initiatives, and we’re excited to grow this effort.
There are many ways you can help us continue this work:
- Donate baby items and maternal care supplies
- Volunteer your time or services
- Spread the word to mothers who could benefit from attending
Our next event is already in planning, and we’d love for you to be part of it. Together, we can make sure more mothers feel seen, supported, and celebrated.
Let’s continue building a stronger, more connected community—one mother at a time.