CinnaMoms Crenshaw & Juneteenth: Reimagining the Future
June, 2024
CITY OF INDUSTRY, California- On the eve of Juneteenth–National Independence Day, CinnaMoms celebrated the first anniversary of the Public Health Foundation Enterprises' first non-traditional WIC center, CinnaMoms Crenshaw (located at 3667 Crenshaw Blvd. Los Angeles, Ca., 90016). With a goal by PHFE-WIC and CinnaMoms to provide a cultural space that promotes empowerment and self-transformation for Black and African American women, CinnaMoms Crenshaw is a place to rest, nest and connect to rebuild the village of support taken by time and the atrocities from the institution of slavery.
According to a report by the National Center for Health Statistics published by the March of Dimes, a nonprofit organization that is working towards improving the health outcomes of mothers and babies, 369 infants died in Los Angeles County in 2021 before reaching their first birthday. It states, "Some of the leading causes of infant death in the United States include the following: birth defects; prematurity/low birth weight; sudden infant death syndrome; maternal complications of pregnancy and respiratory distress syndrome."
The 2021 NCHS report, Maternal Mortality Rates in the United States, also noted that the non-Hispanic Black maternal mortality rates not only continue to rise but remain the highest of any other racial group.
CinnaMoms Crenshaw is PHFE-WIC's unique approach to combating health disparities in one of our most vulnerable communities of color. This innovative space sits in the historically underserved area of South Los Angeles, where, for 80 years after the end of slavery, racially restrictive covenants denied people of color the ability to purchase homes outside of their "designated" spaces.
The Food Empowerment Project also recognized this same area as one with rampant food deserts, "where about 97 percent of the population is either Latino, African-American or of mixed race." As a result, decades of area residents traveled greater distances and paid higher prices for fewer options of quality and healthy foods.
So, what are WIC and CinnaMoms doing to help make a positive impact with this innovative space?
After going virtual with support services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, CinnaMoms has returned to the community with monthly in-person services at CinnaMoms Crenshaw to help improve infant and maternal health outcomes.
Some past events examined healthy eating as a nutritional response to reducing infant and maternal mortality rates, with topics like "Bites of History: Tasting our way through Black cultural Celebrations." In contrast, other events, like "Nurturing and Nesting in the 4th Trimester" and the "CinnaMoms Crenshaw Community Baby Shower," focused on community engagement and rebuilding our villages of support.
CinnaMoms Crenshaw:
CinnaMoms Drop-in Live and in-person lactation support Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10- 3 p.m. Join us at our weekly breastfeeding drop-in clinic to receive all the support and assistance you need for successful breastfeeding.
CinnaMoms Crenshaw Mommy Meet Up is every first Wednesday from 11:30 to 1 p.m. Meet with Rhonda (Peer Counselor and CinnaMoms Breastfeeding Specialist) to talk about pregnancy, breastfeeding concerns, and all things baby!
Upcoming Special Events:
Anniversary Celebration during Black Breastfeeding Week August 28, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Meet with our Cinna Team to celebrate CinnaMoms and Black Breastfeeding Week. We will highlight all the topics related to motherhood, breastfeeding, and ` everything about your baby. You don't want to miss it!
CinnaMoms Crenshaw provides a safe space for families to connect with other families, obtain accurate and relevant information, and share their unique experiences and journeys. CinnaMoms Crenshaw Special Events, like the upcoming anniversary celebration, are special occasions where all CinnaMoms can participate in games, book and diaper distributions, and walk away with prizes and gifts. Don't Miss out!
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