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Committee advances Western Reserve Chapter of The Links’ baby‑shower grant; councilmember seeks $5,000 boost
Summary
The committee sent a $10,000 ARPA award for the Western Reserve Chapter of The Links’ community baby shower to second reading and discussed increasing it to $15,000; presenters described services, partners and attendance of about 113 mothers.
Cuyahoga County’s Health and Human Services and Aging Committee on Feb. 5 advanced a resolution to award ARPA community grant funds to the Western Reserve Chapter of The Links, Incorporated for its annual community baby shower and discussed a proposed $5,000 increase.
Teresa Metcalfe Beasley, president of the Western Reserve Chapter of The Links, described the event—now in its third year—which offers onsite clinical screenings (OBGYN, dentist), mental‑health referrals, chair massages, lunch, baby supplies and giveaways such as cribs and car seats. She said the chapter partners with organizations including the Diaper Bank, Dress for Success, College Now, MetroHealth, MedWorks and Lead Safe, and that the most recent event served about 113 mothers with 104 returned surveys.
Bellisa Turner Howard, co‑chair, and a participant identified as Deshay spoke about beneficiary outcomes and community follow‑up; organizers reported referrals to mental‑health services and follow‑on engagement with partners, including a teen‑moms group run by Delta Sigma Theta.
Councilman Sweeney proposed increasing the award by $5,000 to better support expansion; the chair said staff would amend the legislation so organizers would not need to redo paperwork, which would result in an amended award of $15,000 if council concurs. Members offered promotional support through social media and outreach.
Sweeney moved to send Resolution 20250046 to second reading at full council; the motion was seconded and verbal 'aye' responses were recorded.
