Pregnant with Possibilities Resource Center (PPRC) marked its 10^th anniversary on Saturday, Nov. 8 during a celebratory Decade of Possibilities Gala at Embassy Suites Rockside in Independence.

The gala brought 168 guests, who celebrated the achievements of the nonprofit dedicated to transforming maternal and infant health outcomes, as well as the launch of Pregnant with Possibilities’ rebranding and other future initiatives.

“We had the pleasure of celebrating our 10 year anniversary of our past, our present, and our future,” says Pregnant with Possibilities president and CEO Veranda Rodgers. “So, [we reflected on] where we started, what we've been able to accomplish over the last 10 years, and [we looked] forward to the future and where we're actually going."

Pregnant with Possibilities celebrated 10 years with a company rebrand, including its logo.A highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the organization's complete rebrand. "We released our new rebrand at the gala,” Rodgers says. “We have a brand new website, and we have a brand new logo, and some other things on the horizon.”

The gala also served as a platform to recognize outstanding community members through the organization’s Mom on the Move Awards—honoring Alexandria Jonathan Boone and Tanora Edwards, along with a surprise third honoree, PPRC board chair Twyla Turner.

"These are people who have been a part of our past, our present, and our future,” Rodgers says. “We wanted to pay homage for who they are [and] what they do in the community, but also for being outstanding mothers who are making headway and trailblazing in their own right to make a positive impact within the community.”

In addition to celebrating a decade of taking a holistic approach to perinatal mental health and supporting clients and their families through pregnancy and postpartum care, the Nov. 8 event included a fundraising component—setting a goal of raising $150,000 to support PPRC programs and services.

"We're almost at about $50,000 raised, so we still have some work to do," Rodgers notes, adding that "the community thoroughly showed up to support us."

Pregnant with Possibilities' 10th anniversary gala on November 8.PPRC addresses a critical public health crisis, she explains, conceding it’s a tough battle. “Infant mortality, and even maternal mortality, here in Cuyahoga County are very wide epidemics across, not just Cuyahoga county, but the state of Ohio—especially when we look at the disparities for Black and Brown families," she says.

The impact PPRC has made is measurable and significant to a vulnerable population. "We serve about 85% of the target population—[the population with] the highest disparities,” Rodgers explains. “And about 47% of the individuals who walk through our door have already experienced a negative birth outcome. Yet still we have an 87% full term delivery rate."

Rodgers stresses that "the work that we do, it actually works. We're seeing positive outcomes."

More work ahead
Despite some improvements in maternal and infant mortality rates, significant disparities persist, Rodgers says.

“Black women are still three times more likely, compared to white women, to die from preventable causes, and Black children are still more likely—three times more likely—to die before their first birthdays,” she points out. “We have seen some progress. But there's still a lot more work to do."

PPRC maintains a comprehensive support system, including a full pantry stocked with those items most in demand. “With diapers, wipes, formula, car seats, pack-and-play, and strollers," Rodgers lists, “with community donations [funding] our programs and services.”

Rodgers describes the Decade of Possibilities Gala as "overall, a very impactful night," with the positive community response and strong start toward its fundraising goal as a strong beginning to its second decade of service in addressing maternal and infant health disparities in Cuyahoga County.

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