Keeping baby safe workshop

Volunteer Coordinator Geneva Stephens and Carole Alexander, executive director of The Next STEPP Life Center at the center’s 2017 MLK Day of Service project

By Joyce Nanette Johnson, Staff Writer

ST. PETERSBURG –According to statistics from the Florida Department of Health, Pinellas County has the highest rate of infant injury and deaths within the state. To address that alarming statistic, the Next STEPP Life Center will offer a free workshop entitled “Home Baby Proofing Program-Keeping Safe & Sound” for their MLK Day of Service.

The workshop will be held Jan. 18 at the Enoch Davis Center, 1111 18th Ave. S, from 6-8 p.m.

Available will be a tote bagged full of free safety tools for the house to keep babies and young children safe such as electrical plug covers, toilet and cabinet locks, doorknob covers, emergency information, valuable informational charts and other items.

On top of prize giveaways, the first 50 families to enter the door will receive a free child first-aid kit.

“We’re helping parents of children from six-months-old to one year to provide a safe environment in their home,” stated Carole K. Alexander, executive director of the Next STEPP Life Center.

The Detroit native is active in many community organizations including being a member of the board of directors of the Healthy Start Coalition of Pinellas County, member of the Community Action Network of the Federal Healthy Start Project at Johns Hopkins-All Children’s Hospital and the list goes on and on.

The Next STEPP Life Center is a non-profit Christian organization that offers counseling and services for families facing unintended pregnancies. They have a holistic approach to the mind, body and spirit coupled with faith-based principals.

The center offers emotional, physical and spiritual support to both the mother and father. Their G.O.A.L. (Gaining Opportunities Achieving Life Success) program allows the participants to gain points to buy baby items by attending counseling sessions and other empowerment options.

Soon the Life Center will be adding ultrasounds and testing for sexually transmitted diseases.

Alexander is appreciative of the assistance of Yolanda McCloud, Regina Perry and Alfreda Brown in bringing the workshop to fruition.

The Next STEPP Life Center also collaborated with the Healthy Start Project at and with USFSP’s Figuring It Out for the Child Program and will be stationed at MLK Family Fun Day on Jan. 15 at Tropicana Field distributing information.

Alexander feels that Family Fun Day is a good opportunity for parents to learn about services the center offers and to receive information on their partner programs.