BY AUDREY KENT FOR THE OBSERVER
AUBURN —
Baby Steps, a National nonprofit organization founded in Auburn, is holding its annual Golden Gala on Nov. 4.
The Golden Gala will be held at Parker Hill, 100 Carroll St., at 6 p.m.
The gala is a fundraising event that will support student mothers in college nationwide.
Tickets for the fundraiser can be purchased at www.babysteps.org/goldengala.
“The fundraiser is really, truly a time where people in the community can come together and understand the impact and, you know, truly just be able to celebrate enjoying camaraderie to support student moms,” said Charlton Jones, the director of national marketing for Baby Steps. “We are trying to make it a point to continue to create a generational impact for student moms and their babies and just continue to change the culture surrounding unplanned pregnancies.”
According to Jones, events and activities at the gala will include games, food, a silent auction and a chance for student moms to share their stories and experiences.
Baby Steps supports students facing unplanned pregnancies by providing assistance, housing and community support.
Baby Steps was officially founded in 2017, but Jones said the history of the nonprofit stretches further back.
According to Jones, Michelle Schultz, founder and executive director of Baby Steps, experienced her own unplanned pregnancy while she was a student at Auburn University over 30 years ago.
Schultz did not feel she had the resources or support to carry out her pregnancy while simultaneously receiving an education, so she terminated her pregnancy, Jones said.
Jones said that over time, Schultz began to heal from her decision and found herself called to do more for student mothers who felt like they lacked options and support while experiencing pregnancy.
Baby Steps came to fruition when Schultz met Kaitlyn Willing, now the director of national operations, Jones said.
According to Jones, Willing and Schultz shared a similar story, and together, they created Baby Steps to help women in the same position they were once in.
Baby Steps is always accepting outside support and appreciates donations or volunteers.
“No matter how people want to get involved, there are ways to get involved,” Jones said. “You could volunteer your time and expertise; you could come speak to student moms for an enrichment event and share any wisdom or professional insight you may have. We also offer academic advising to student moms as well. The capacity for involvement with Baby Steps is endless. It just kind of depends on where you feel, you know, your expertise and passion lie for supporting our organization.”
If you want to volunteer or donate to Baby Steps or are a student mother seeking support, you can find out more information through the website, www.babysteps.org.
You can also contact Baby Steps through its email, national@babysteps.org or auburn@babysteps.org, as well as through the Instagram, @babystepsauburn, and Facebook, Baby Steps at Auburn University.
