Special to the
Opelika Observer
Baby Steps, a local nonprofit that provides housing, support and community for pregnant and parenting college students, will host a live and silent auction at the Southerly Warehouse in Opelika on April 5 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Single tickets are $50 each or $90 for a pair and can be purchased at the organization’s website or by calling 334-521-2184. Baby Steps is also seeking ambassadors and corporate sponsors for the auction event. As an ambassador, one only needs a passion for the organization’s mission, the ability to help promote the auction by personally inviting friends, family and co-workers; share auction social media posts and attend a brief informational meeting on March 31 at 3 p.m. The corporate sponsorship includes four tickets to the live and silent auction event, as well as optimal advertising for one’s business to all auction guests and donors. Pricing for the sponsorship is $1,000.
Currently, few colleges in the United States offer resources for pregnant women pursuing their degrees. This often leaves them feeling that they have nowhere to turn. By offering housing, support and community to college women in unplanned pregnancies, Baby Steps meets a critical need. Baby Steps is currently renting a home which is located in the historic district in the heart of Auburn, just a short walk away from campus. However, fundraising is needed for a more permanent location so that they can continue to offer support to pregnant and parenting women in the Auburn-Opelika community.
Kaitlyn Willing, who now serves as Baby Steps’ director of operations, became pregnant in 2011 when she was a junior at Auburn.
“My parents pulled all financial support when I decided to parent my baby, and I was left scrambling to find a new place to live. I can’t imagine what a blessing it would’ve been to have someone living in a home with me that would support me spiritually, physically, and emotionally throughout my pregnancy,” Willing said on why she supports the organization’s cause.
For more information, email thrive@baby-steps.org, call 335-521-2184 or visit www.babysteps.org.
About Baby Steps
Baby Steps, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded by Matt and Michelle Schultz, who experienced an unplanned pregnancy more than 30 years ago while in college, and opened its doors in fall 2017. After sharing their story for many years, they recognized there was still a lack of resources available to college students who find themselves in similar situations. This allowed the vision of Baby Steps to be born. They imagined a home with a loving support system that would enable young women to complete their education and have their baby. Through Baby Steps, their dream has become a reality by providing housing, support and community during pregnancy and after birth.