Community Stories
Real Stories From Real
People of the Community
These courageous women are sharing their personal stories with First Year Cleveland and our community, to help others cope with and prevent infant loss.
Ramia G.
SAFE SLEEP ADVOCATE After the devastating loss of her four-month-old son, Maison, in 2012, Ramia turned her sorrow into activism. As a member of the First Year Cleveland Safe Sleep program, Ramia has shared her story in an effort to spread the importance of the ABCDs...
Tiffany L.
In the CenteringPregnancy program, new moms meet in a group setting for good visits during their child’s first year of life. At the sessions, the infants receive their normal screenings, while the moms interact in a group discussion on what to expect during the first...
Samantha P.
CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER After the loss of her twins, Samantha P. used fitness as a way to move through her grief. As a personal trainer and owner of Renegade Soul, she extends the space for her clients to do the same. Every week on Instagram, she posts about Infant...
Marlene B.
ADVOCATE FOR SAFE SLEEP After the devastating loss of her grandson, Brandyce, in 2013, due to an unsafe sleeping arrangement, Marlene B. turned her sorrow into activism. Marlene has shared her story in an effort to spread the importance of the ABCDs of safe sleep,...
Katie H.
As a busy working couple, Katie H. and her husband Joseph were excited to welcome their first child (a girl!) to the family. Katie heard about CenteringPregnancy at University Hospitals from her midwife, and decided to try the nontraditional program for her prenatal...
Brittan B.
I liked the CenteringPregnancy program because it gave me an opportunity to hear the answers to questions that I didn’t even know I had. The opportunity to “crowdsource” for questions and thoughts was fantastic. Additionally, it let me know that I wasn’t crazy as it...
Yolanda L.
CO-OWNER LUCAS FUNERAL HOME Yolanda L., co-owner of Lucas Funeral Home, has been sharing her story with other parents grieving the loss of their infants as part of the First Year Cleveland Pregnancy and Infant Loss group. Here, she details her 10-year journey to...
Asia S.
Attended Cleveland Clinic Sessions Son is Abrim Sanders- 18 months I found out about Centering when I scheduled my first prenatal appointment through Cleveland Clinic’s appointment line. I really liked the idea that it’s an easier way to do appointments in a fun...
Marshaie W.
When I was pregnant, I was looking into the benefits of breastfeeding, researching the benefits of breastfeeding for baby and the benefits of breastfeeding for mom. And I thought, OK we're going to do this thing! In the beginning, it was tough. Luckily, friends warned...
Jazzmine P.
Jazzmine P. has witnessed firsthand the impact Birthing Beautiful Communities (BBC) is having throughout Cleveland — first as a client, and now as one of their perinatal support professionals. BBC’s model improves health outcomes for both mother and baby by providing...
Nicole B.
Nicole B. was ecstatic when she brought her son, D’Antoni, home from the hospital in January 2009. Nicole and her husband had three beautiful weeks with their newborn before he passed away in February, due to complications from surgery. Since then, Nicole has been...
Nancy K.
Nancy K. and her boyfriend, Pete, decided to join the CenteringPregnancy program midway through their pregnancy with their first child. In the program, expectant parents meet twice a month for two-hour sessions to discuss all things related to pregnancy and childbirth...
Kate N.
As the mother of a toddler, Kate N. remembers the sleepless nights of new motherhood very clearly and how desperate new parents are to get some rest. As project manager of Safe Sleep Heroes, it’s her job to teach those new parents — and anyone else caring for a small...
Paige R.
After learning about CenteringPregnancy®, Paige found a supportive group of women to help her through her pregnancy. Today, the friendships remain. After I learned about CenteringPregnancy at a doctor’s appointment, the thing I really liked about it was that you can...
Christin F.
Christin F. gets daily affirmations that her work with Birthing Beautiful Communities (BBC) is changing lives in Cleveland. The 32-year-old founded the organization in 2014, bringing together a collective of black doulas to combat the city’s dire infant mortality...