GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — There is a new feature at Grand Rapids' Festival of the Arts this year. Family Futures has set up a nursing and changing station for parents and caregivers of young children.
It is the first time the organization has set up the space.
"I don't want to nurse my child in a Porta-Potty, you know?" said Brooke Aernouts, trauma and resilience coordinator for Family Futures. "I don't want to have to change my child on the grass or something."
The tent is set up to the south of Calder Plaza, on the side of the Kent County Administration building. It has a space for nursing, diaper changing and bottle warming.
"Creating the space for families that's private, that's covered," said Aernouts. "We have fans, we have bottle warmers, we had Boppys, and rocking chairs and individual changing stations. Creating those spaces for families, so that this could be an equitably accessed event."
The space is called the Joslyn Ward Nurture Nook, named in honor of Joslyn Ward. Joslyn was a leader in numerous family organizations in the Grand Rapids area. She passed away seven days after giving birth to twins earlier this year.
"It gives me something to smile about," said Cory Ward, Joslyn's husband. "Obviously, I'd much rather have her here, but to see her honored in such a manner, it makes me proud. It makes me happy, and it reminds me of the impact that she had every day in every area that she placed her foot in. She never left any place she went to, any relationship she had, the same way that she found it. So, it makes me smile."
Joslyn and Cory's four children were testing out the space Friday. Joshua and David, each holding one of their twin newborn siblings, Elisha and Naomi.
"I think it's something that in the future, her children can be proud of, particularly our daughter Naomi," said Ward. "That she knows the shoulders of the woman that she stands on."
Aernouts said they have already received requests to host similar stations at other events this summer.
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