Raising THE 2024 IMPACT REPORT Bar
A Year of Impact: Raising the Bar for Change
Greetings Champions,
It is with great pride and excitement that we share our 2024 Impact Report, a testament to the transformative milestones and accomplishments we achieved. This year, our theme "Raising the Bar," reaffirmed our unwavering commitment to continual improvement and excellence in service. By placing health and wellness at the core of everything we do, we have fostered growth and well-being among both our dedicated staff and the clients we are privileged to serve.
We began the year with a focus on staff development and wellness, implementing training programs centered on humility, empathy, and excellence in service delivery. From a rejuvenating wellness retreat in sunny Florida to impactful conflict resolution training and sound bowl therapy sessions, we have embraced mental well-being as a vital part of our organizational culture. These initiatives not only reinvigorated our team, but also allowed us to model for families the profound benefits of being physically, mentally, and emotionally well.
In 2024, we also made remarkable strides in program expansion, achieving growth in our service metrics from the prior year. We successfully hosted four cohorts of our H.O.P.E Program and piloted one-on-one therapy at Bloom Behavioral Health. These efforts earned us both Joint Commission Accreditation and Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services certification. As we finalize the credentialing process to accept nine insurance providers, we are poised for even greater impact in 2025.
Our partnerships have been instrumental in amplifying our mission. A standout collaboration with Cleveland Clinic enabled us to provide sexual risk avoidance education to over 100 youth at Maple Heights City School and ‘Let’s Talk’ Word Church’s summer program. These collaborations exemplify the power of unity in reaching and uplifting those who need us most.
Our fundraising efforts reached new heights in 2024, with our annual Mommy and Me Ball Fundraiser being a sold-out event. We raised over $25,000 to support programs and highlighted the incredible strength of community and the generosity of those invested in our mission.
Our team continued to grow and excel, with four staff members earning Community Health Worker certifications, further enhancing our capacity to meet the needs of the families we serve. In addition, we launched a special M.O.M Program in partnership with United Healthcare, extending critical support to birthing individuals in our community.
Advocacy and outreach have remained central to our efforts to influence systemic change and improve maternal health outcomes. Through our partnership with G2G Consulting, we strengthened our advocacy and public relations initiatives. We facilitated tours and meetings with key decision-makers, including state officials, senators, and community leaders, to showcase the vital work of PPRC and advocate for policies that support maternal and infant health.
As we look forward to 2025, we remain steadfast in our commitment to empowering birthing individuals, at-risk youth, and families to thrive. We are excited to build upon the foundation of our success in 2025 as we celebrate a decade of service.
On behalf of the entire PPRC team, thank you for believing in our mission and standing with us as we continue to raise the bar. Together, we are transforming lives, one family at a time.
Veranda Rodgers, MBA President & CEO Pregnant with Possibilities Resource Center
Letter from the Board Chair
Greetings,
Pregnant with Possibilities Resource Center (PPRC) is celebrating another year of success. This year's focus for the Board has been on growth and development, guided by the organizational theme, "Raising the Bar." The Board has made several commitments and has stood in solidarity with PPRC staff and leadership to remain a vital and highly functional part of the PPRC family.
Our strategic emphasis has been on expanding the Board's skill set, particularly through member recruitment. With this can contribute to advancing PPRC's mission through their
ealth, marketing, and research, ensures that the PPRC receives as our talented staff are the lifeblood of PPRC.
e 2025 will be remarkable! PPRC has evolved from a vision into a full of opportunities to celebrate and honor "10 years of decade of service is advancing our mission and impacting the communities we serve.
dedication. It is a privilege to serve as your Board President.
About Us
Founded in 2015, Pregnant with Possibilities Resource Center (PPRC) is a nonprofit organization located on Cleveland’s east side that operates from the mission to provide culturally competent sexual health education, perinatal support, tools, and techniques that equip individuals to overcome barriers to give birth to their goals. PPRC's objective is to show women the beauty in delivering new possibilities through life skills classes, case man
Our Services
Endless Possibilities Sexual Risk Avoidance
Research-based curriculum for youth in 6-12 grade aimed to address sexual risk avoidance and promote healthy wellbeing and academic achievement.
After Party
A yearlong program designed to unite M.O.M Program Alumni, fostering a supportive community focused on accountability and resource-sharing.
Making Opportunities Matter (M.O.M)
Research-based program tailored for individuals who are pregnant or up to 11 months postpartum.
Bloom Behavioral Health Services
Extends support to perinatal clients and families of PPRC who require assistance in developing, maintaining, or enhancing social support or other therapeutic coping skills, and acquiring daily living skills.
Working to Solve Maternal Morbidity and Infant Mortality
The Uneven Burden of U.S. Maternal Mortality
Pregnancy-related deaths in the United States per 100,000 live births (by race/ethnicity of mother)
Non-Hispanic Black/white mothers
Sources: CDC, National Vital Statistics System
[1] Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/womenshealth/features/maternalmortality.h tml#:~:text=Racial%20Disparities%20Exist,structural%20racism%2 C%20and%20implicit%20bias.
[2] Health Policy Institute of Ohio: https://www.healthpolicyohio.org/files/assets/sdoimfiveyearslate rmainpaperfinal10.25.2023.pdf
[3] National Institutes of Health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9148644/
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black women are at least three times more likely to die due to pregnancy-related causes than White women.[1] While infant mortality has gradually decreased overall over the past decade, the rate is still 164% higher for Black babies in Ohio than for White babies.[2] Lack of access and poor quality of care for pregnant Black women are leading factors, but research has also shown that bias and stereotyping of people of color can impact their health outcomes.[3]
2023 Infant Mortality Rate
Elevating Excellence: Redefining Service
267
Perinatal Clients Served
223
Developed a family plan with our Care Coordinators.
107
Youth Served
526
Families assisted with essential diapers, wipes, and formula
210
Toys gifted to the children of our clients during the holiday season
Clients Served by Age Clients Served by Race
Top 6 Zip Codes Served
44137- Maple Heights
44128 - Cleveland/ Warrensville
44125 - Garfield
44120 - Shaker Heights
44104 - Central-Midtown
44103- Hough
*We service all of Cuyahoga County
Top 5 Causes of Stress:
37% of clients reported a stress level of 6 + (10 highest)
Status at Enrollment
60% Breastfeeding Rate
clients breastfed for 3 months or more
Top 5 MCO Plans
79% Full-term delivery rate
89%
Safe sleep rate
47% of clients faced challenges or negative outcomes in previous births.
**(low birth weight, stillbirths, miscarriages and premature deliveries)
Meeting Basic Needs
Transportation plays a critical role in ensuring healthy outcomes for mothers and babies by facilitating access to prenatal care and postpartum checkups. Unfortunately, limited or unreliable transportation creates significant barriers, leading to missed appointments, delayed care, and poorer health outcomes.
In 2024, Pregnant with Possibilities Resource Center (PPRC) made substantial strides in addressing these challenges by providing 296 private Lyft rides and distributing 268 weekly bus passes to clients in need. While public transportation can be a helpful resource, it does not fully address the unique challenges faced by expectant and new mothers. For example, transporting car seats, strollers, or small children can be logistically difficult on public transit. Furthermore, waiting outdoors in extreme weather or navigating latenight schedules can expose vulnerable families to unsafe conditions.
Filling the gaps with a service model like ours is essential to removing these barriers and ensuring mothers and their babies receive timely, consistent, and comprehensive care. Community support and legislative action can play a pivotal role in expanding and sustaining this initiative. Advocacy for increased funding and support for transportation assistance programs enables us to meet the growing needs of our communities.
Together, we can build a system where no mother is forced to choose between her safety and accessing the care she and her child deserve. By investing in these solutions, we not only save lives but also strengthen the foundation of healthier families and communities.
23% of our postpartum clients identified transportation barriers as a challenge to accessing care.
Housing Stabilization Services
We are committed to addressing housing instability, the second leading cause of stress for birthing families, by providing rental assistance and transitional housing services. Families in unstable living situations face an increased risk of infant mortality. Stable housing lays the groundwork for attending essential prenatal and postpartum appointments, fostering healthier outcomes for both mothers and their children. Housing stability is a cornerstone of family well-being, promoting better maternal mental health, improved access to healthcare, and a reduced risk of stress-induced labor and premature births.
PPRC’s House of Hope Program, a transitional housing model for mothers aged 18-24, goes beyond offering shelter. This innovative initiative tackles the complex challenges faced by pregnant and postpartum individuals, particularly within the Black community, by pairing housing support with holistic services to help families transition into safe, stable environments. The program focuses on four core pillars:
Housing Stability: Providing a secure and supportive living environment.
Access to Equitable Care: Addressing healthcare disparities with tailored, comprehensive care.
Sense of Community: Building a supportive network to foster connections and mutual support.
Foundation to Success: Empowering residents with life skills through weekly programming on topics such as stress management, financial planning, healthy relationships, nutrition, and workforce development.
We are calling on supporters, funders, and advocates to join us in raising the necessary funds to sustain and expand these critical efforts.
After Party
From August 2023 to October 2024, the After Party program provided a variety of impactful sessions t empower and support our MOM program alumni. Activities included yoga for self-care, karaoke to connect participants with community resources, and a paint and reflection activity to encourage
Addressing Perinatal Mental Health
Maternal health conversations must include mental health as the perinatal period, from pregnancy to the first year postpartum, is a transitional period that can result in anxiety and stress for many women. During the postpartum period, about 85% of women experience some type of mood disturbance. For most, the symptoms are mild and short-lived; however, 10-15% of women develop more significant symptoms of depression or anxiety.3 Death by suicide is a leading cause of maternal mortality and accounts for about 20% of postpartum deaths.5 Between 2006-2017, suicidality nearly tripled among childbearing people. The greatest increases were found among Black, low-income, and younger individuals, and those with comorbid anxiety and depression or serious mental illness. of women experience some type of mood disturbance women will suffer from a maternal mental health disorder like postpartum depression
10%-15% 20% 6
TO 85% of women develop more significant symptoms of depression or anxiety. of postpartum deaths are Death by suicide
of women diagnosed with a maternal mental health disorder receive treatment 1 IN 7 will experience depression during pregnancy of women living in poverty will suffer from a maternal mental health disorder
[3] MGH Center for Women's Mental Health: https://womensmentalhealth.org/specialty-clinics-2/postpartum-psychiatric-disorders2/ 5 National Institutes of Health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8976222/#:~:text=Yet%20death%20by%20suicide%20is,as%20sepsis%20and%20he morrhage%20declin e 6 National Institutes of Health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8976222/#:~:text=Yet%20death%20by%20suicide%20is,as%20sepsis%20and%20he morrhage%20decline 7 Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db371.htm
The H.O.P.E Program, a five-session postpartum mental health group under the Bloom at PPRC umbrella, is transforming lives and offering essential support to help families thrive. In 2024, we served 16 clients through our group-based model, creating a nurturing environment that provides practical tools to address feelings of depression, isolation, and more. Recognizing the need for comprehensive maternal mental health care, we announced plans to expand into Behavioral Health services for PPRC clients and families. To support this initiative, we engaged a consultant to assess funding and develop a plan to strengthen sustainability through improved Revenue Cycle Management.
This effort led to significant milestones, including obtaining Medicaid certification, certification with Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services, and Joint Commission accreditation. We also implemented a new CRM system to enable behavioral health billing and began the credentialing process to accept nine managed care organizations (MCOs) by Q1 2025.
Through this holistic client-centered approach, Bloom at PPRC is leading the way in fostering emotional resilience, improving maternal health, and building thriving families.
Meet Our Team
Veranda Rodgers Founder & Executive Director
Nickol Calhoun Director of Programs & Operations
Taylor Hurt Program Facilitator
Joy Johnson Community Care Coordinator
Jessica Mallett Program Coordinator
Stephanie Williams Community Care Coordinator
Toya Owens-Hodge Licensed Social Worker
Meet Our Board
Richaun Bunton Board Chair
Michelle Wilcox Vice Chair
Kate Carden Secretary
Brenda Torres Treasurer
Twyla Turner Fundraiser Chair
Lisanetta McDade Board Trustee
Jennifer Lynch-McKinney Board Trustee
PPRC’s Financial Impact and Growth
Gratitude to Our Supporters
We are incredibly grateful to the generous donors of 2024. Their support has been instrumental in enabling our programs and services to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve.
Organizational Donors
Baldwin Wallace
Better Health Partnership
Birthing Beautiful Communities
Bruening Foundation
CareSource
Case Western Reserve University
CLE Consulting
Cleveland Clinic Health System
Cleveland Foundation
Clinical and Translational Science
Collaborative Case
Adrienne Mundorf
Aisha Childers
Akeia Long
Akilah Ashraf
Alexandria Boone
Amy Clum Holbrook
Angela Newman
Ann Melville
Belinda Blackwell
Beth Darmstadter
Beverly Wells
Brenda Torres
Brittany Randall Pope
Clara Pelfrey
Crystal Hill
Cynthia Osborn
Deandra Evans
Diana Rosa
Elizabeth Bacchus
Emily Anglewicz
Emily Stupica
Gina VanCant
Heather Risher
Jazmin Long
Jesus Sanchez
Kate Carden
First Year Cleveland
Greater Cleveland Partnership
HealthComp Foundation
Humana
Key Bank
Metro Health
Mt Sinai Health Foundation
Ohio Sister Circle
Right Direction Behavioral Health
Rosa Consulting LLC
Saint Lukes Foundation
Individual Donors
Katharine Vinciquerra
Kentina Washington
Khadijah Fair
Kim Simpson
Kristen Jones
Linda Vopat
Lisa Laditka
Marjelo Mines
Michelle Wilcox
Monique Williams
Nailah Muhammad
Nakeisha Wells
Ndidi Larberg
Sherwin Williams Women Club
Sisters of Charity Foundation
Third Federal
United Black Fund
United Healthcare
University Settlement
Vanguard Charitable WKYC
Nickol Calhoun
Nina A Upshaw
Nina Upshaw
Ohio Sister Circle
Ramona Lowery-Ferrell
Richaun Bunton
Robert Childress
Sally Yanice
Schanel Brown
Serita Johns
Shannon Walker
Starr Simmons
Stephanie Crowder
Taelor Webb
Tanesha Hunter
Tasha L. Wilburn
Tasha Wilburn
Teresa Taylor
Terri Tarr
Terrill Rodgers
Tiana Booth
Twyla Turner
Veranda Rodgers
A Decade of Possibilities –
Reflecting on the Past, Empowering the Future
In 2015, Pregnant with Possibilities Resource Center (PPRC) opened its doors with a bold vision: to empower birthing individuals, youth, and families by addressing the root causes of maternal and infant health disparities through education, resources, and unwavering support. Over the past decade, our commitment to delivering culturally competent care and innovative programs has touched the lives of thousands of families across Cuyahoga County, offering hope, fostering resilience, and creating lasting change!
As we celebrate A Decade of Possibilities, we reflect on the progress we’ve made, the lives we’ve impacted, and the barriers we’ve helped families overcome. Yet, the need remains urgent. Black birthing individuals are still three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes, and Black babies in Ohio face a mortality rate that is 164% higher than their White counterparts. These disparities demand bold solutions and sustained support from champions who believe in our mission to create healthier, stronger communities.
To commemorate our 10th anniversary, we invite you to join us as a sponsor in celebrating through a series of four quarterly events, culminating in a grand gala. Your partnership will help us celebrate our journey while paving the way for continued impact in the years to come. Together, we can empower birthing individuals to overcome systemic barriers, equip youth to make healthier choices, and ensure every family has access to the tools and resources they need to thrive.
Now more than ever, your support as a champion is vital to our mission. Join us in reflecting on the past and empowering the future—one possibility at a time.
A Year of Endless Possibilities: Celebrating Our Anniversary
Mommy and Me Brunch
Saturday, May 17, 2025
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
The Word Church Convention Center 18909 S Miles Rd, Cleveland, OH 44128
Bet on Us Casino Night
Friday, July 25, 2025
6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
The Ballroom at Park Lane 10510 Park Ln, Cleveland, OH 44106
Anniversary Gala
Saturday, November 8, 2025
6:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Embassy Suites Cleveland Rockside 5800 Rockside Woods Blvd N, Independence, OH 44131
Learn more by visiting www.pregnantwithpossibilities.com/anniversay
“I am delighted to share my experience with the After Party program, which has truly been a lifesaver on my journey to motherhood. Meeting about once a month, this program provides an incredible blend of education, support, and community specifically designed for moms.
One of the standout features of After Party is the variety of speakers who come in each month to share their expertise with us. From prenatal health and nutrition to postpartum care and parenting strategies, each session has been both informative and engaging. I found the information shared to be incredibly valuable, helping me feel more prepared and empowered as I navigate the challenges of pregnancy and early motherhood.
The sense of community that After Party fosters is truly special. I've built meaningful connections with other moms, creating a support network that is invaluable during this transformative time. We celebrate each other's milestones, share advice, and offer encouragement, which has made this journey all the more enjoyable.”
~ Asheba B
