Rocking Hope: Galilee Chair’s Family Heirloom Now Cradles a New Generation

By Amy Clark and Kristen Anderson

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – In a community grappling with infant and maternal health disparities, the Galilee Center of East Charlotte has welcomed MyBaby4Me to its family of offerings that “feed the mind, body, and soul.” This heartfelt initiative provides education on healthy pregnancies and newborn care, along with nutritious food, essential resources, and a much-needed sense of hope—all shared through weekly gatherings of women walking a similar path.

Joanne Jenkins, chair of the Galilee Center’s Board of Directors, donated a rocking chair used by four generations of her family to the new MyBaby4Me initiative. Photo taken at the Galilee Center, July 2025. Courtesy of Amy Clark

During one of MyBaby4Me's first gatherings, Joanne Jenkins, chair of the Galilee Center's Board of Directors, saw a volunteer gently pacing the room with a crying baby. Her immediate thought was simple yet profound: "That baby needs to be rocked."

That quiet observation sparked a deeply personal act of generosity. Jenkins immediately thought of her heirloom bentwood rocking chair that had been used by four generations of her family. Originally purchased in 1994 to rock her grandson, now 6’4”, Jenkins felt a clear impression that God was telling her to “pass it on.”

With care, Jenkins polished it up with mineral oil, tightened the screws, and had it delivered to the MyBaby4Me playroom at the Galilee Center.

“When you give things in love, you share a piece of your heart,” Jenkins shared.

Dyane Danner, a MyBaby4Me service missionary, rocks a baby while her mother participates in MyBaby4Me classes at the Galilee Center in Charlotte on July 28, 2025. Courtesy of Kristen Anderson

Now lovingly used by MyBaby4Me participants and volunteers, the chair represents far more than just comfort. It’s a powerful symbol of community, legacy, and hope for Charlotte-area mothers navigating challenging circumstances.

MyBaby4Me is an initiative of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in collaboration with A Chance to Learn. Charlotte is the newest of the five cities hosting this initiative that offers free weekly classes, meals, transportation, and critical resources for new and expecting mothers.

“Every mom deserves to feel supported, seen, and safe during pregnancy and postpartum,” said LaToyia Dennis, CEO and founder of A Chance to Learn. “Far too often, women—especially Black and Brown moms—face this journey alone. We’re here to change that.”

Classes are held on Mondays at 11:00 a.m. and Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. at the Galilee Center.

The initiative addresses a dire need in Mecklenburg County, where Black women face infant mortality rates two to three times higher than their white counterparts. In East Charlotte, the infant mortality rate is a staggering 12.6 per 1,000 births, more than double the national average.

“We are grateful to welcome MyBaby4Me to Charlotte,” said Bryan Jenkins, an area faith leader for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “This collaboration offers vital support and encouragement—lifting and strengthening not only these dear women, but also their entire communities.”

For Ms. Jenkins, supporting MyBaby4Me is part of a spiritual journey. A former vestry member at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, she felt adrift when the church closed in 2013. She found healing by spending Sunday mornings in quiet devotion—“having breakfast with Jesus,” she called it. That was until a new opportunity arose: an invitation to serve at the Galilee Center.

“I asked God, ‘You want me to do what?” she recalled, referencing her initial hesitation. But drawing strength from her faith, Jenkins said yes, and is glad she did.

Echoing Jesus’s invitation to “go to Galilee” for a new beginning, the Galilee Center lives up to its name—offering community-driven support and a fresh start through the many charitable groups it houses. Thanks to initiatives like MyBaby4Me, and to people like Joanne Jenkins, it remains a beacon of hope where women and children are not only cared for, but empowered.

For more information about MyBaby4Me, call 980-497-6573 or visit: Facebook.com/groups/MyBaby4MeCharlotte. Free transportation is available within and near the 28105 ZIP code.

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About MyBaby4Me

MyBaby4Me, an initiative from the North America Southeast Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is designed to help women and their children have happy and healthy pregnancies and infancies. MyBaby4Me hosts weekly group sessions where women learn about healthy pregnancy and newborn care up to the toddler stage. Based on the renowned Moms2B program pioneered at Ohio State University, which has proven to lower infant mortality, MyBaby4Me addresses non-medical factors that are associated with elevated infant and maternal mortality rates. MyBaby4Me launched in 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee, in collaboration with the Memphis Branch of the NAACP. The initiative expanded in 2024 to Nashville, Tennessee, working through Catholic Charities, and to Little Rock, Arkansas, with The Bullock Temple CME Church. In 2024, A Chance to Learn joined the MyBaby4Me initiative to accelerate the program’s reach to other communities fighting to decrease infant and maternal mortality rates. Charlotte, North Carolina became the fifth MyBaby4Me city in April 2025.

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About A Chance to Learn

A Chance to Learn, Inc. (AC2L) was founded in 2011 to address educational inequities among young children in low-income communities. Initially focused on kindergarten readiness for ages 0–5, the mission expanded in 2016 to include programs supporting early education, parent engagement, and perinatal health—recognizing the connection between maternal well-being and a child’s long-term success. For more information visit www.achancetolearn.org. Individuals and organizations interested in helping to expand the reach of MyBaby4Me in Charlotte are encouraged to contact Latoyia Daniels at latoyia@achancetolearn.org.