Somerville Family Learning Collaborative/Council on Aging
Intergenerational Baby Shower!
Eager voices filled the community room at the Somerville
Council on Aging on Tuesday, April 5.
Joint planning between Somerville Family Learning Collaborative of the
Somerville Public Schools (SFLC) and Cindy Hickey, Director of the Council on
Aging led the first intergenerational baby shower that was enjoyed by over 60
city residents. This event brought together new or expectant parents and older
adults in the community to celebrate the journey of parenthood, build
community, connect generations, and provide information about community
resources. Attendees represented a
microcosm of Somerville, ranging in age from infants to octogenarians, coming
from countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas, sharing stories about coming
to the United States and living in Somerville.
The new Somerbaby Project was introduced by David Blumsack
from the Somerville Kiwanis Club, which provided start-up funding. This new initiative focuses on welcoming
Somerville newborns by providing their parents with welcome bags full of
information, resources and connections. Elders made or donated baby clothing
and supplies, and brought wonderful food to share. The Council on Aging
provided a generous, hot meal for everyone. Liza Kitchell entertained the crowd with songs
to sing and move to. The Beautiful Stuff
Project supplied blank books and collage materials for young and old guests to
design and create their own memory books. Katey Duchin, a graduate student at
the SFLC from the Boston University School of Social work, organized and
solicited donations to provide multiple gifts, from diapers and clothing to
toys, for each family. Representatives from the Cambridge Health Alliance and
Women Infants and Children (WIC) distributed resources and materials.
We hope this becomes a tradition in Somerville and look forward to the next shower!
