Fort Worth health and community leaders are bringing holistic maternal resources for Black families this weekend.<\/p>\n
For the second year in a row, the Community Healing and Mental Health Project, or CHAMP, is kicking off Black Maternal Health Week with Nurture & Thrive, an event bringing health care professionals, doulas and community organizations together.<\/p>\n
Through the collaboration with Braver Together, Center for Transforming Lives and other local organizations, CHAMP is looking to empower the entire family with resources and education regarding maternal health.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that catering to mothers is very important, because \u2014 of course \u2014 they are carrying a human being,\u201d CHAMP executive director Lachelle Goodrich<\/a> said. \u201cBut we also wanted to remove barriers and provide an empowering space for the dads or the support systems doing this particular journey.\u201d<\/p>\n Looking at providing support to Black families holistically is an ask directly from the community, Braver Together executive director Shawn Lassiter said.<\/p>\n \u201cAll of our programming attempts to serve the human, serve the community members, serve the neighbor in a complete and holistic way,\u201d Lassiter said.\u00a0<\/p>\n An important aspect of the event is the embracing of brave spaces, Goodrich said. Unlike safe spaces, which emphasize comfort and care, brave spaces platform important conversations and educate people on difficult topics.<\/p>\n Goodrich noted the value of brave spaces in terms of teaching Black mothers and families to advocate for themselves in the health care space.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to be able to provide a brave space so they can have conversations, ask questions and learn the language in order to get the proper care that they need,\u201d Goodrich added.<\/p>\n If you go<\/p>\n What:<\/strong> Nurture & Thrive \u2013 A Black maternal wellness experience<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> 2-4 p.m. April 11<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Center for Transforming Lives, 3001 S. Riverside Drive<\/p>\n Admission:<\/strong> Register for the free event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n At the event, families will have access to:<\/p>\n Ismael M. Belkoura is the health reporter for the Fort Worth Report. His position is supported by a grant from Texas Health Resources. Contact him at ismael.belkoura@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n