What’s Happening at WIN?
WIN’s Event Team Provides a Wide Variety of Online Events for Families
We know the importance of building community and caregiver-child relationships, and COVID-19 hasn’t changed this. Our events team, who previously organized in-person events shifted completely online to accomplish these goals. This team is hosting twice weekly Zoom conversations for parents to build a supportive community and talk about issues they are facing.
They’ve launched Instagram and Facebook live stream events (such as story readings and art projects) to provide parents opportunities to engage with their children, and they are sending daily text messages with activities for parents and children to do together. The team has also launched physically distanced events for WIN families including a “dinner and game night” pick-up and a “drive-in” movie night.
Since families know their own kids and goals for the future best, we’re working with parents and children to create spaces for connection and support.
Q & A With a WIN Family
Tell our readers about you / your family.
My name is Ingrid and I have two children. Emma is 3 years old and Ethan is a year old. We started coming to WIN events because the program has a lot of fun and educational activities through Zoom for kids.
What do you/your family enjoy most about our virtual events?
My family enjoys learning about different animals. Emma loves to listen to rhyming songs.
You are our first raffle winner! Congrats! Tell us about your prize.
We won our first raffle, we chose a family movie night! We got 4 movies and 5 delicious and healthy snacks. Emma enjoys watching Frozen and pretending to be Elsa.
Have you / your family learned anything through our events? If so, what?
We have learned how to do different types of sensory motor activities like sensory bags full of gel with toys inside.
Does your family have a favorite craft, book, and / or movement activity from our events? If so, what is it and why?
We like to read books and Emma likes to color and do painting. We like reading animal books and Emma likes to learn about each animal.
Breastfeeding Resources in L.A.
August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month! Breast milk is often talked about as the best food for your new baby: it creates a special, close, emotional bond; provides essential, balanced nutrients; is cost-effective; and offers short- and long-term health benefits for both babies and mothers. But breastfeeding doesn’t always come naturally to new mothers, and that’s OK. It’s not uncommon for women who have just given birth to struggle with breastfeeding. It can take some time for mom and baby to get to know each other, and to learn what works and what doesn’t.
Researchers from the University of California Davis and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center found, “92 percent of first-time moms reported at least one breastfeeding concern three days after birth”. While it’s reassuring to know that most every new mom experiences difficulties while breastfeeding, we have to do more to help new moms succeed at it.
If you, or someone you know is a first-time mom struggling with breastfeeding challenges, there is a community of resources in L.A. ready to help:
This site offers a directory of breastfeeding and lactation services, resources and support groups organized by Los Angeles.
Created by the L.A. County Health Department, this site offers new moms resources for breastfeeding, health, housing and more.
California Breastfeeding Coalition
Committed to promoting and advocating for breastfeeding, this organization offers information on breastfeeding rights, education webinars and more.
South L.A. Health Projects offers breastfeeding support through groups, peer coaching and education, and a free Breastfeeding Helpline at 323-905-1248.
One of the first organizations to offer support, education and encouragement to breastfeeding mothers, La Leche League has meetings and phone volunteers who can answer questions and offer ideas for successful nursing.
What’s that saying? It takes a village. That definitely applies here!
