Muskegon, Michigan, March 21, 2022
Catholic Charities West Michigan is hosting a free monthly car seat safety training class for parents and guardians – and giving attendees a new car seat.
In partnership with Safe Kids West Michigan, CCWM’s St. Gianna Baby and Toddler Pantry offers the two-hour class on the last Wednesday of each month starting at 6 p.m. at the nonprofit’s offices at 1720 Park St. Space remains limited to 12 participants due to COVID-19 protocols.
“We are so pleased to be able to offer this free monthly class to better equip parents and guardians with the basics of car seat safety – and with a new infant or child seat,” said Molly Thomas, pregnancy support counselor and baby pantry coordinator. “We hear the stories all too often: Little ones end up in the ER after a car accident because they were improperly strapped into their car seats – or worse still, they weren’t in a car seat at all.
“Our goal is to see far fewer of these types of accidents, as well as fewer preventable injuries because of home safety incidents. We are honored to work with families to provide the knowledge and solutions so they can keep their children safe.”
The first hour of the session is taught by Safe Kids and covers car seat basics, including how to put your infant or child safely into a car seat, age and weight requirements, and what proper safety installment looks like for the child and in the car. The first portion of the session ends with a hands-on demonstration of securing the car seat safely into a vehicle.
Thomas leads the second half of the class, which focuses on basic household safety. She covers issues ranging from outlet plugs and baby gates to water safety and fire response.
Attendees who complete the course will receive a new infant care seat or convertible car seat thanks to a generous grant from the Towsley Foundation. The foundation supports Catholic Charities West Michigan’s initiative to move the mark on the alarming child safety statistics in the community by increasing awareness of safe use of car seats, safety within the home, safe sleep and prevention of traumatic injury.
A grant from the Community Foundation for Muskegon County’s Greater Muskegon Service League’s Women and Children’s Fund enabled the pantry to purchase additional incentive items as well.
Advance registration is required. Those interested in attending should call 231.726.5341 and leave a message with name and contact information.
The class is a new initiative for the St. Gianna Baby and Toddler Pantry, which offers free diapers, wipes, clothing and more for children from birth to age 5. More information is available online.
Those interested in donating to the pantry can visit ccwestmi.org/donate or CCWM’s Amazon Wish List.
About Catholic Charities West Michigan
For over seven decades, Catholic Charities West Michigan has been feeding the hungry, counseling those who struggle and building strong families. Through a broad spectrum of social service programs focused on the needs of children and families, CCWM serves residents of 11 counties in West Michigan. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, CCWM has more than 235 employees who work from nine locations and last year touched the lives of more than 35,000 individuals. For more information, visit ccwestmi.org.