MANSFIELD — Finding help can be difficult when you don’t know where to look.

Caregivers, expectant and new parents walked through the 2026 Richland County Community Baby Shower on Thursday afternoon and found health care providers, community organizations and family resources under one roof at the Mid-Ohio Conference Center.

Cherish Javens, a Mansfield resident, attended the event for the first time after she heard about it from her grandmother, who works at Avita Health System.

Javens brought her 4-year-old son, who spent part of the event interacting with a mermaid performer.

(Story continues below. Video shows Cherish Javens 4-year-old son at the 2026 Richland County Community Baby Shower. Credit: Hannah Martin)

“It’s awesome to know that we have this many resources around here,” Javens said.

Javens said she already knew about most of the organizations represented at the event, but believes events like the baby shower are vital for the community. 

“It gives a lot of good information to people that really need it and need help,” she said.

Connecting families with Richland County resources

Brice Eyerly, executive director of Community Health Access Project (CHAP), said vendors donate items for the event each year, offering families more than the typical gift item.

Eyerly said he wants people to leave with something they can use or a connection that can help them after the event. That could mean talking with a doctor, receiving a diaper bag, learning about tickets to Buckeye Imagination or connecting with another organization that can provide services.

Eyerly’s family received a diaper bag from Avita after their 6-week-old was born. It wasn’t anything special, Eyerly said, but his family has used it every day since receiving it.

“It’s one of those things where it’s like, if you give people stuff they’ll use, they’re gonna remember that,” Eyerly said. “They’re gonna be like, ‘Hey, they actually helped.’”

CHAP took over the event three years ago, and Eyerly said he has been happy to see it grow into a gathering where families can meet organizations and learn about services available to them.

(Story continues below. Photos from the 2026 Richland County Community Baby Shower. Credit: Hannah Martin)

A growing community effort

Dr. Kate Boroff, a pediatrician at Akron Children’s and the newest member of CHAP’s board of directors, said the event gives families an opportunity to see the organizations serving their community in one place.

Boroff is the daughter of Dr. Mark and Sarah Redding, who founded CHAP. She said she grew up hearing her parents talk about CHAP and the dreams they had for the organization.

“To see it every year, it’s just gotten bigger,” Boroff said. “To see how it’s serving the community, it’s just, it’s honestly, like, I don’t even know if I have the words. It’s overwhelming, really.”

“I know my dad would be overjoyed and I know my mom is too,” she added.

Boroff said her work as a pediatrician brings her into contact with many of the organizations at the event, but she does not always get to see their work firsthand. Having the organizations together not only helps families but has also helped her learn more about the resources available to them.

The event includes opportunities for families to connect with health care providers, learn about pregnancy and infant care and meet organizations that can help with needs such as insurance, housing, transportation, food access, mental health and parenting support.

You don’t have to do it alone. There are resources, there are services and there are people like myself, like anybody that you walk around here and talk to that want to help you.

Brice eyerly, executive director of chap

Boroff said CHAP recognizes people face different circumstances and may not have access to the resources they need.

“It shouldn’t define what you are and aren’t able to do,” she said. “I think that’s where CHAP really shines. They bring someone to you on your level that can help get you what you need.”

The rising costs of groceries, gas and other necessities can make life difficult for many people, Boroff said. Community health workers can help connect people with resources and services that can make a difference.

Boroff said people should know it’s OK to ask for help when they are doing the best they can with what they have.

‘You don’t have to do it alone’

People who need assistance should not feel embarrassed or ashamed about asking for help, Eyerly said.

“You don’t have to do it alone,” Eyerly said. “There are resources, there are services and there are people like myself, like anybody that you walk around here and talk to that want to help you.”

CHAP’s services are completely free. Eyerly said people who need services can contact CHAP directly through their website, email or text.

“Whatever works for them, works for us,” he said. 

People who want to help or get involved can visit CHAP’s website, where they can find information about donating and connecting with the organization.

“If you look around this room right now, you can tell there is an abundance of people here that want to help,” Eyerly said. “We just want to help make the community healthier.”

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