Tuesday, July 29, 2025 | St. Louis, Missouri – YWCA Metro St. Louis proudly announces that LaWanda Jones, Prenatal Services Manager, and the Prenatal Services Team have been selected by Generate Health STL as the recipient of the 2025 Dr. Corrine Walentik Provider/Practitioner Champion Award.
This prestigious award honors individuals and organizations providing direct health or community services and using their expertise to advocate for improvements in child health. YWCA’s Prenatal Services program exemplifies this mission by working to ensure healthy, happy pregnancies and positive childbirth experiences for every family it serves.
Through home visits, parent education sessions (socializations), and comprehensive case management, YWCA’s Prenatal Services team supports families during pregnancy, at delivery, and throughout the postpartum period. Once a newborn reaches six weeks of age, families are offered enrollment in YWCA’s Early Head Start Program or its home-based option, ensuring continuity of care and support.
The team will be formally recognized at An Evening of Impact: Standing Up for Black Mothers & Babies Annual Awards Gala, hosted in October by Generate Health STL.
“Receiving the Dr. Corrine Walentik Award is a profound honor for our team,” said LaWanda Jones, Prenatal Services Manager. “Our work is about so much more than care—it’s about advocacy, empowerment, and ensuring Black mothers and their babies receive the support they need for healthy starts. This recognition celebrates the dedication of our team and every family we serve.”
Stacy E. Johnson, Chief Early Education Officer and Head Start Director at YWCA Metro St. Louis, added: “Our Prenatal Services program reflects YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism and empower women. From home visits to education to connecting families with Early Head Start, our team helps parents feel supported through every stage of pregnancy and early parenthood. This award affirms the impact of that work.”
For more information about YWCA Metro St. Louis Prenatal Services or to learn how to enroll, visit ywcastl.org/prenatal-services
ABOUT YWCA
YWCA Metro St. Louis is the region’s leading advocate for the safety, security and stability of women and children, serving more than 10,000 women and families annually. The mission of YWCA is eliminating racism and empowering women. YWCA offers crisis services and rapid re-housing for victims of sexual and domestic violence; services for pregnant women, Head Start and Early Head Start early childhood education; career readiness and economic empowerment services for all clients; and racial justice educational programs.