Video: Baby Steps in Okolona Celebrates 10 Years

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OKOLONA, Miss. (WCBI) – Baby Steps in Okolona is turning 10. The non-profit organization focuses on empowering parents and enriching children’s lives.

It’s been a decade since Baby Steps began serving the community and families, community leaders came out to show their support and appreciation. Aisha Goens is the Executive Director of Baby Steps.

“One thing I think the 10 year celebration shows is that we’re here and we’re stable and we’re here to stay. Parents come here for resources to help them understand the milestones that their children are going through. So, overall we think we’re doing a great thing here and we hope to continue to go strong,” says Goens.

Santana Hunter has had both of her children in the Baby Steps program and she says it has really paid off.

“Learning-wise, they’re honor students. They have all A’s and do really good in school,” says Hunter.

Goens says they’ve created a new program specifically for boys of color, ages 3-4, that will pair them with a mentor and prepare them to be great learners.

“We have ideas like Cold Cuts, where the men, they have a partnership with the little boy but they all fo to the barbershop together and have cold cut sandwiches. So anything like that, so if you’re interested, please let us know. We’re looking for a few good men,” says Goens.

During the 10 year anniversary celebration, there was food as well as games for the children and a brief ceremony.

Baby Steps was founded by the late William Raspberry, a former Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist born in Okolona.