Community baby shower honors pregnant woman who was killed while seeking baby supplies
After 19-year-old Marlen Ochoa-Lopez was brutally murdered in 2019, and her baby was cut from her womb, a Chicago non-profit is making sure her memory lives on by helping other mothers-to-be in need.
El Valor Gonzalez Children & Family Center held a community baby shower Friday in the South Chicago neighborhood.
Serina Thomas' face lit up with a smile thinking about the car seat she'll be bringing home for her unborn son after the community baby shower.
"The fact that I came in and won two or three games made me smile, because I never win anything," she said.
Thomas is five months pregnant and will graduate with a degree in veterinary technology in May. With her son due in July, Thomas said the community baby shower could not have come at a better time.
"This helps me focus a little bit more on what I need to do in school, and not have so much stress on me when the baby comes," she said.
Thomas was among nine expecting mothers at the baby shower at El Valor's Rey Gonzalez Children and Family Center in the South Chicago neighborhood.
Since 2019, the nonprofit has held biannual community baby showers in memory of Ochoa-Lopez. The 19-year-old woman was lured through a Facebook group for expectant moms to a home with the promise of new baby items.
She was murdered and her baby was cut from her womb. The baby would later die. Three people were charged in Ochoa's murder.
Ochoa-Lopez had taken part in El Valor programs with her then 3-year-old son, and El Valor was providing her with prenatal care.
"Having these resources for the moms, a safe place for them to feel welcome, for them to receive all of the things we are able to provide for them during the baby shower for them, and making sure they don't have to go to other places to receive these resources," said El Valor senior program director Leticia Ramirez.
At the community baby shower, expecting mothers listened to presentations on baby and prenatal dental care.
They also took part in a raffle and baby shower bingo for prizes.
"I got blessed today with a beautiful car seat for the baby," mother-to-be Jenny Ochoa said. "I'm thankful for everyone that gives and donates for the women here."
Each expecting mother went home with gift bags filled with diapers and newborn clothes, and other baby essentials.
Since 2019, the biannual community baby showers have been held solely through donations. The events are for new and expecting mothers on Chicago's South and West sides. The organization started 52 years ago in Pilsen, and has four locations and eight private day care centers.
The events have been a biannual tradition for the non-profit since 2019, after Ochoa-Lopez was killed.
