With 14-month-old twins at home and another baby on the way, Marnai has her hands full. She's preparing to welcome a baby girl soon, and despite the challenges that come with raising three young children, she's feeling confident about what's ahead.
"I had twins the first time. You can't get no better or worse than that," she joked. "So, I feel like I’ve got this."
As she prepares for this next chapter, Marnai is taking advantage of opportunities to learn, connect with other parents and find resources that can support her growing family. After learning about Step Forward through her caseworker, Marnai attended the agency's second annual Safe Sleep Summit. It was her first Step Forward event, and she appreciated the opportunity to learn directly from professionals with firsthand experience.
One of her favorite parts was a hands-on safety demonstration led by a firefighter, who shared practical information parents could use to help keep their children safe.
"I really liked it. Very informative," she said. "I like being hands-on. So that was a good part for me."
While the educational sessions were valuable, Marnai also appreciated the opportunity to spend time with other mothers who could relate to her experiences. She knows that parenting can be especially challenging for those who are just starting out or don't have a strong support system. Having a place to ask questions, share experiences and meet other parents can help make that journey a little easier.
"If you feel like this is your first time, you don't have a lot of help, you can kind of connect and meet other moms that may be in your same shoes," she explained.
That's an important part of what Step Forward hopes to accomplish through its Infant Wellness Program. Along with providing education on safe sleep, infant CPR, car seat safety and other topics, the program helps families connect with community resources and build relationships with others who understand what they're going through.
Marnai was especially impressed by how connected Step Forward is to the community and the variety of opportunities available to families.
"They're really linked into the community," she said. "It’s kind of like one big family.”
For parents like Marnai, having access to reliable information and a supportive community can make a difference as their families grow. And for those who may not know where to turn, programs like Infant Wellness can be an important starting point.
With the support of community partners, advocates and donors, Step Forward can continue offering these opportunities to more families throughout Cuyahoga County, helping parents feel informed, connected and supported.
Help us continue making a difference for local families. Learn more about our programs, advocate for family support services or make a donation at stepforwardtoday.org.