Infant Mortality Intervention

THE INITIATIVE

In 2008, 4 major health systems in Detroit (Detroit Medical Center, Henry Ford Health System, St. John Providence Health System, and Oakwood Healthcare System) came together to form the Detroit Regional Infant Mortality Reduction Task Force . This team of maternal and infant medical providers was struck by Detroit’s high rates of infant deaths and the unmet needs of women in the area.  The team created Sew Up the Safety Net for Women and Children (SUSN). The project focuses on empowering Detroit’s women through a network of community partners . Together, they work to make sure that all babies reach their first birthday.  The Women-Inspired Neighborhood (WIN) Network is the SUSN program for the Detroit community.

HOW WE HELPED

Honey Locust partnered with Project S.N.A.P. and WIN Network: Detroit in a large scale mobilization campaign to raise awareness about ensuring that all babies reach their first birthday.  The unifying theme combined the concepts of hope, courage, strength and wisdom as expressed in thousands of artworks and artist statements created by people living in three neighborhoods served by WIN Network: Detroit, Osborn, Chadsey-Condon, and Brightmoor.

The program culminated in a mini-documentary produced by Honey Locust featuring the campaign and three inspiring 5′ x 9′ community mosaic murals featuring the individual artworks created by members of the community.  Each of the mosaic murals titled “Expecting” is on permanent display in a prominent location in each of the neighborhoods.  The mosaic murals promote community pride and collective ownership in helping to reduce the infant mortality rate in the community.