09/30/2026
Ten years ago, the WISE Community Baby Shower was born, but the story actually begins a little earlier. Long before the big annual celebrations, the WISE Community Baby Shower grew out of a simple yet powerful partnership with a local family practice that was doing something truly innovative.
Elizabeth Family Medicine was piloting group prenatal visits, bringing families together to experience pregnancy in community.
Instead of rushed, isolated appointments, parents gathered together, shared their journey, learned side-by-side, listened to their baby's heart tones, and began to build a village with other families, before their babies even arrived.
After the prenatal visits, WISE Community Doulas stepped in to continue the circle of care with prenatal yoga, babywearing instruction, meditation, childbirth education, nutrition counseling, safe sleep education, breast feeding support and more. The village was bigger than any one organization. OB/GYNs, nurses, case managers, and other providers were part of the network, each bringing their own knowledge, resources, and support.
This was village work.
Through that experience, we began to truly understand the depth of what “It Takes a Village” really means, and how layered, intentional, and connected that village needed to be.
As we sat with families and listened to their experiences, we kept hearing the same quiet stress. Parents were preparing to welcome a new baby while also trying to gather some of the most basic necessities needed to care for their growing families. The need was real and so was the community’s desire to respond.
That is where the WISE Community Baby Shower was born. What started as a response to a tangible need grew into a decade-long tradition of generosity, connection, education, celebration, and community care.
Now, as we count down to our 10th Annual WISE Community Baby Shower, we’re looking back at our roots, celebrating a decade of community care, and honoring every person who has helped build this village with us.
Ten years later, the heart of our work remains the same.🤱🏾🤰🏾
