Our Blog

For birthing families in Northern New Jersey, care is not just something that happens in a clinic or hospital. It shows up in living rooms and waiting rooms. In deep breaths during labor. In late-night texts after a hard day. In someone finally feeling heard. That is the heart of the community-based doula work at…

The North Carolina Resource Collection Form is a chance to share opportunities with a public directory to increase access to mentorship, training, and community support opportunities. Check it out here!

Click here to read stories from pregnant people affected by Hurricane Helene, which tore through North Carolina in September 2024, causing unprecedented damage in the area. This article explores the unique effects climate disasters have on birthing people and new parents.

Watch this video to learn about a program providing pregnant people in rural North Carolina with telehealth maternal care services.

Click here to read more about a new study from the Keck School of Medicine at USC.

In recognition of maternal mental health awareness month, this blog highlights a recent HealthConnect One study that looked at the acceptability of Mental Health First Aid training among community-based doulas.   According to a recent National Institutes of Health (NIH) study, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are on the rise in the United States. At HealthConnect…

Community-based doulas are essential to ensuring that women and birthing people—especially those from Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities—receive equitable, culturally respectful, and holistic care. At HealthConnect One, we are committed to advancing policies that support the critical work of doulas through systemic change, especially via Medicaid reimbursement. During community-doula week, HC One partnered with Birth Matters,…

Whole Together Robeson’s goal is to improve maternal and child health in Robeson County. This project is a part of the broader Whole Community Connection program, aiming to improve rural health outcomes across North Carolina. Read more about this partnership here.

Click here to read more on recent trends in women’s health care in rural North Carolina. This North Carolina Health News article also provides insights on potential solutions to close the gaps in healthcare access for rural communities.

Click this link to register for the 2025 North Carolina March for Change, hosted by March of Dimes! See date and location details here:

The 2025 Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW25) theme, “Healing Legacies: Strengthening Black Maternal Health Through Collective Action and Advocacy,”emphasizes the power of Black-led perinatal, maternal, and reproductive health organizations to drive systemic change and foster community healing. 

Two Advocate Health hospitals have been recognized for their efforts in supporting Black maternal health by U.S. News & World Report for Black Maternal Health Week 2024.

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – Aetna Better Health of NC has announced a grant to create a collaborative partnership to address maternal mortality.  The NC Perinatal Substance Use Disorder Network (NC PSUD) will be aimed at sharing best practices, enhancing cooperation and advocating for policy solutions, along with inventorying and analyzing medical care strategies across the…

Seven North Carolina hospitals – Atrium Health Pineville, Novant Health Forsyth and Matthews medical centers, UNC Rex Hospital, WakeMed Cary Hospital and WakeMed Raleigh Campus – were honored during Black Maternal Health Week for their exemplary efforts to bridge health disparities and provide the highest quality of care.

Read more at: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article292260950.html#storylink=cpy

Since Tropical Storm Helene tore through Western North Carolina on Sept. 27, leaving behind wreckage, flooding, widespread power and water outages and devastation, the Citizen Times has been providing the community with ways to find help, ways to help, voices from the region, updates on recovery efforts, visuals of the storm’s impact and much more. 

November is Prematurity Awareness Month.   As champions of community-based doula care, we want to highlight the role of doulas in reducing preterm birth rates and advocate for doula care as a part of the solution to rising preterm birth rates in the United States.     Baseline Data  Every year, hundreds of thousands of babies are born…

Happy August! As summer is almost over, our team at HealthConnect One wanted to bring to attention the importance of rest for your mental and physical well-being. Rest is Resistance Tricia Hersey, in her book Rest is Resistance, writes that rest is a form of resistance against white supremacy and our capitalist culture that derives an…

In 2023, HealthConnect One, in partnership with The Center for the Study of Social Policy, introduced innovative Early Relational Health training modules.

The framework of reproductive justice states that every person should have the right to have a child, the right to not have a child, and the right to raise their child in a safe and healthy environment. At its core, reproductive justice promotes bodily autonomy and everyone’s individual right to decide whether to have children.

Happy Juneteenth! In honor of the holiday recognize and uplift the ongoing fights for equality that Black and African Americans in the U.S. are a part of today.

Happy Pride Month! In birth work (and always!), it’s important to use language that is inclusive and respectful of everyone’s individual identities.

Preeclampsia is characterized by a rapid rise in blood pressure that can lead to seizure, stroke, multiple organ failure, and death of the mother and/or baby. It affects 1 in 25 pregnancies in the US. One of the most effective ways to address this is to provide access to midwives and doulas throughout the prenatal period, labor and delivery, and the postpartum period.

May is Maternal Mental Health Month to encourage organizations and the public to focus on the importance of maternal mental health in the fight for birth equity, reducing maternal mortality, and supporting the overall wellbeing of birthing people, new parents, and their babies.

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, it’s an honor to shine a spotlight on remarkable individuals within the Latinx community who are making a profound impact on the lives of others. Silvia Corado, a doula extraordinaire and supervisor of the AMAR Community Doula Program within the Children’s Home Society of New Jersey, embodies the spirit…

September was National Preparedness Month, and this year’s theme, “Take Control in 1, 2, 3,” emphasized the importance of readiness for all, especially adults and families from communities disproportionately affected by various hazards. But what does this theme mean for birth workers, and how can they play a vital role in disaster preparedness during the…

As we wrap up this month long celebration of breastfeeding birthing families, HealthConnect One, reaffirms our commitment to supporting equitable breastfeeding and lactation assistance nationwide, promoting an inclusive environment for all families to thrive. This year’s National Breastfeeding month theme for World Breastfeeding Week, Enabling Breastfeeding- Making a difference for working parents, signifies the importance of…

The maternal mortality crisis continues to worsen in the United States. In 2021, over 1,200 women died as a result of pregnancy or childbirth, continuing an upward trend of over 20 years. Racial disparities in maternal outcomes persist, with Black and Indigenous birthing people dying at 2-3 times the rate of their white counterparts. Additionally,…

Welcome to the second installment on our 2022 Birth Justice Year in Review. In my first post, I introduced the Healthy Youth Development Strategic Partnership team and our commitment to Birth Justice. I also discussed the importance of community-based doulas and other perinatal birth workers in closing equity gaps for birthing families. In this second entry,…

As National Breastfeeding Month wraps up, HealthConnect One is eager to highlight the importance and impact of breastfeeding peer counseling services in Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities. Breastfeeding peer counselors often identify as an experienced parent and confidant who offers culturally appropriate support and information, identifies breastfeeding and lactation challenges, and provides strategies to help…

Centering AAPI Voices in Breastfeeding Advocacy As we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI), HealthConnect One is highlighting the impactful work of To-wen Tseng, who has dedicated her career to centering AAPI voices in her breastfeeding advocacy. To-wen is a mother, journalist, author, and activist. She has been a key voice for…

We are currently facing an infant formula crisis. There is a severe shortage of formula, and children are going hungry. ALL babies deserve to be safely and adequately fed. As the United States grapes with this crisis, we know that Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities facing marginalization may be particularly affected by this crisis.  HealthConnect…

For many Black birthing families across the country, breastfeeding intention and initiation continue to pose a challenge. From the presence of infant formula in maternity wards to the failure of healthcare providers to encourage Black Breastfeeding to the lack of community support for Black Breastfeeding, the breastfeeding inequity gap continues to widen. At HealthConnect One,…

COVID-19 continues to affect Black, Brown and Indigenous communities, including children, disproportionately. The only way to fight this virus and save our communities is by providing pregnant people and parenting families with the accurate, up-to-date information they need to make informed decisions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. Children 5 to 11 years old may now be…

We are proud to join Families USA, Community Catalyst, The National Partnership on Women & Families, and Protect Our Care and over 200 national, state, and community organizations in thanking the House of Representatives for the momentous gains made in the Build Back Better Act, reinforcing the need to keep the package intact as it…

Earlier this month, the Biden Administration made history by signing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act! The Bill, which will provide historic investment in our transportation, broadband, and infrastructure, is set to accelerate our economic recovery. While this is fantastic news, it’s time for Congress to rise to the occasion again and prove that they…

Last week, HealthConnect One joined Finger Lakes Performing Provider System, Finger Lakes Community Health, and the Healthy Baby Network launched the Rochester Doula Hub. This timely collaboration will provide culturally reflective community-based doula support to improve Black birth outcomes in Rochester. Health inequities have long been tied to racism, poverty, physical environment, and stress, all…

Congress will soon decide on a social infrastructure legislative package that could be transformative for birthing families, including critical Momnibus investments and establishing the first national paid family & medical leave insurance program! Black Maternal Health The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021 builds on existing maternal health legislation, like policies to extend postpartum…

–> En Español <– Hi! I’m Cassie, a Mexican mom and doula from Chicago! I have one adventurous toddler I keep close to me. We are inseparable, and our bond came right away. Here’s a little bit about our journey together… I am as determined as my toddler. When I decided I wanted to have an…

As National Breastfeeding Month comes to a close today, we reflect on the activities and learnings on promoting breastfeeding intention, initiation, and duration during the month of August 2021. From the first-ever National Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week to Black Mothers Breastfeeding Association’s Michigan Community-Based Doula Summit, we are inspired by the…

August is National Breastfeeding Month, and in the U.S., there’s also a time to commemorate and uplift Black Breastfeeding Week during the last week of the month. As with many similar commemorations, some might question the need for a separate event based on race. All babies can benefit from breastfeeding. Why the need for Black Breastfeeding Week?…

Our country’s maternal health crisis is an active policy choice – one that enables entirely preventable deaths of our nation’s mamas, birthing people, and infants. Lawmakers need to include measures tackling maternal health disparities in the upcoming reconciliation package. Earlier this week, HealthConnect One joined 200+ groups and organizations pressing congress to make maternal health…

COVID-19 continues to affect Black, brown and indigenous people disproportionately. Mistrust of the medical system, misinformation about the virus, and poor COVID-19 management, make it unsurprising that our communities have less trust in the vaccine.  The only way to fight this virus and save our communities is by providing pregnant people and parenting families with…

On Friday, the Illinois legislature will start discussing a new bill that would allow doulas to be covered under Medicaid. The bill It would cover weekly prenatal doula services, labor and delivery and doula services up to a year after birth. Dr. Twylla Dillon, HealthConnect, One Executive Director, released the following statement in support of…

Chicago – Last night the House Energy and Commerce Committee released the legislative text for its COVID-19 relief legislation, which includes a provision to support state efforts to extend Medicaid coverage in the postpartum period.  Dr. Twylla Dillon, HealthConnect One Executive Director, released the following statement in support of this critical provision to the Energy…

On Monday, February 8, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, Congresswoman Alma Adams, Senator Cory Booker, and the Black Maternal Health Caucus introduced historic legislation to address the maternal health crisis for Black women and birthing people of color. Call your member of Congress today! Let them know you want them to support birthing families. When you call…

HealthConnect One has engaged a team of researchers from across the nation to be part of our Research Advisory Board (RAB). The RAB is a culturally representative team of researchers working in lactation, maternal-child health, maternal mental health, and racial/birth justice research. Our collaborators are proponents or practitioners of community-based participatory research as our work…

Many active birth justice heroes embody Sankofa, a Ghanaian symbol that represents the importance of looking back to our traditions and culture as we move forward. It is essential that as we work toward birth justice, we bring forward our brilliance and traditions to promote unity, wellness and health in our Black community and innovate…

PRESS CONTACT: Kristian Ramos,Kristian@autonomy-strategies.com Chicago – To commemorate the inauguration of President Joe Biden, HealthConnect One Executive Director Dr. Twylla Dillion released the following statement:  “Our nation is not perfect; it is “unfinished,” as Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman beautifully described in her poem, stating that “catastrophe cannot prevail over us.” The centering of youth in…

It was a warm day in August 1963 when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his powerful “I Have A Dream” speech to a peaceful crowd of marchers at the Lincoln Memorial. “I say to you today, my friends, though, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream….

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS CONTACT: Kristian Ramos,Kristian@autonomy-strategies.com Washington D.C. –  President-elect Joe Biden has selected Xavier Becerra, the attorney general of California, as his nominee for secretary of health and human services, tapping a former congressman who would be the first Latino to run the department as it battles the coronavirus pandemic.  In response to…

When you give to HealthConnect One we partner with Black, Brown and Indigenous communities to develop custom solutions for critical support during pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and early parenting. HealthConnect One co-developed solutions impact communities by: Protecting mothers/birthing people and babies from illness and death during and after pregnancy Increasing breastfeeding rates Reducing COVID-19 related isolation…

Dear Friends, This election is a very American story – a deeply fractured nation showed up to exercise their right to vote. Black, Brown, and Indigenous people, who are also the most overlooked, drove change. Boots on the ground, people on the phone, and online urged communities to vote, and the results have been incredible….

Dear friends,  Elections are underway across the nation. The results of the elections will have a long-reaching impact on our nation’s healthcare systems and on the health of Black, Brown, and Indigenous families.  WHAT’S ON THE BALLOT-> Find out here where the Presidential candidates stand on the healthcare policies that impact maternal health and the welfare…

Dear friends,  We are just weeks away from Election Day! Do you have a plan to vote? Did you know that research shows that people who make a plan to vote are more likely to? Here’s how you can make a plan to vote and to get you and your family poll ready!  Start by making sure…

Pregnancy can be an exciting time for expectant moms looking forward to welcoming their new baby into the world. Unfortunately, not all moms have this experience. October is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. It’s a time to be supportive of moms who have lost a child during pregnancy or infancy. In many communities,…

Dear friends, This year has been a challenging experience for us all, as fear of COVID-19 infection, homeschooling, social isolation and economic upheaval changed our lives. On November 3, we have an opportunity to decide who will lead our nation as we navigate a pandemic. It’s not just a presidential election, there are various candidates…

Presentado por: Dámarys Crespo-Valedón y Yamellies Rivera González Desde que comenzό la pandemia por el COVID-19, las promotoras de la salud que están al frente de esta pandemia, tienen altos niveles de estrés. Estos niveles elevados de estrés pueden dañar nuestro bienestar mental y físico. Este taller de autocuidado es para trabajadores comunitarios de salud…

In celebration of Black Breastfeeding Week (Aug. 25 through Aug. 31), we compiled a list of organizations and online groups that provide breastfeeding support for moms. If you’re an expectant mom who wants to learn more about lactation or you’ve already delivered your baby, it’s important for you to get the support you need to…

I had my son and the hospital told me to go straight to the WIC office and that’s what I did.  I needed to figure out how to feed him. I can recall when I got to the WIC office they asked me for insurance and proof of income. I didn’t have any of this…

In celebration of World Breastfeeding Week, we wanted to share a short interview with Cata Contreras Guajardo, the woman featured in the powerful photo above. We thank Cata for taking the time to share her thoughts on breastfeeding. Why is breastfeeding important to you and your family? Breastfeeding is not just food. For me and…

During this pandemic, HealthConnect One (HC One) continues to provide training and consulting to organizations across the country. The rise in COVID-19 cases makes community-based doulas, even more, important in supporting moms and babies especially “pregnant Latina and Black women who are infected at significantly higher rates than white women.”  Data shows that community-based doulas…

“Supporting Families During COVID-19 and Emergencies” led by Lourdes Santaballa, Executive Director, Alimentación Segura Infantil (ASI) in Puerto Rico (PR) presented their approach to supporting families during emergencies and this public health pandemic. “Apoyando a Familias Durante COVID-19 y Emergencias” presentado por Lourdes Santaballa, Directora Ejecutiva de, Alimentación Segura Infantil (ASI) en Puerto Rico (PR)…

Please click below to view the webinar video from May 28. “We cannot talk about health disparities without talking about power, and how lack of access to power over the course of one’s life impacts the ability to be healthy,” Jamarah Amani, executive director of Southern Birth Justice, told more than 100 birth workers and…

Whether you are an advocate for change for birthing families, community-based doula, peer counselor or other community health worker, in Congress advocating for Black maternal health, a colleague working to change systems and policies,– or just learning about the issue of birth equity — we thank you for viewing our content this week! Together we…

Every Baby Our Baby has been the focus of HealthConnect One’s annual fundraising event for several years. This year we are going virtual with the event and one reason is to hold up the inspiring examples of work by Birth Equity Leadership Academy leaders. They exemplify and help power a growing movement for birth equity….

A medida que continuamos navegando con COVID-19 (Corona Virus), nuestras familias y comunidades durante el embarazo y despues aún necesitan apoyo. El seminario web estará dirigido por Alimentación Segura Infantil (ASI) en Puerto Rico (PR). Compartirán su enfoque para apoyar a las familias durante emergencias y durante esta pandemia de salud pública. ASI continúa apoyando…

As we continue to navigate COVID-19 our birthing families and communities still need support. The webinar will be led by Alimentación Segura Infantil (ASI) in Puerto Rico (PR). They will share their approach to supporting families during emergencies and this public health pandemic. ASI continues to support families effectively in PR during these challenging times…

  HealthConnect One stands in solidarity with Black people against racism in all its forms. We are angry and saddened by the continuing injustices that Black people experience, all of which affect our public health. We will continue to work alongside Black communities, families, and advocates to fight racism and to uplift their health and…

  We are grateful to our supporters!  As we prepare for our virtual event in June where we will recognize all of our Birth Equity Leadership Academy faculty and leaders, we wanted to say thank you to everyone who has invested in our work in recent weeks.   One of the first to contribute this past…

The U.S. House of Representatives just passed a bill that would provide $3 trillion to help and support our families, communities, and businesses in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes a very important provision for home visiting: an additional $100 million in emergency funding that can be used for the care of birthing…

One new report out of Washington, D.C. highlights that racism is the driving force of disparities in maternal mortality and doulas and midwives are key to the solution. Another from a Native women-led organization in New Mexico analyzes the living-wage pay scale of, and recommends a greater role for, community-based doulas.  Taken together, both reports…

  Interest from pregnant women in having home births have increased drastically since COVID-19 began. Despite this interest, many women are still going to hospitals to give birth. Doulas and the expectant moms they are supporting are facing new challenges in the birthing process. During this difficult time, doulas are working hard to take care…

  March 26, 2020  HealthConnect One’s Statement on Historic COVID-19 relief package  We commend the Senate for passing a historic COVID-19 relief package – $2 trillion aimed at helping Americans, hospitals and businesses deal with COVID-19. HealthConnect One welcomes this investment in our nation, in particular the provisions that have vulnerable communities in mind. However,…

Recently, CNN reported that a “New York Hospital system is barring visitors, including partners, during childbirth due to coronavirus.” Tikvah Wadley, HC One’s Lead Doula, reflected on this recent news restricting doulas, partners and other loved ones in the delivery room. This is a stressful time for the world and not to mention pregnant moms….

Resource List updated 4-22-2020 Dear HealthConnect One Community, We want to connect with all of our community-based doulas, CHW’s and partner organizations to make sure you stay safe during this difficult time. HealthConnect One is monitoring and following the recommendations of U.S. Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization and Prevention and the Chicago Public…

Community-Based Doula and the Medicalization of Birth is the second of five policy briefs designed to call attention to the most pressing challenges inhibiting broad adoption of community-based doula services that contribute to birth equity. In October 2019 we released our first report, Doula Legislation-Creating Policy for Equitable Doula Access. At almost the same time…

  In January, Health Connect One trainers Brenda Reyes and Tikvah Wadley coached a group of doulas at SisterWeb in San Francisco. We had a conversation with SisterWeb’s Marna Armstead and Alli Cuentos afterward to learn more about the experience from the local organization’s perspective. Here are some brief highlights from the conversation: Q. Can…

  by Diana Pando Every year, millions of women are experiencing being incarcerated. Of them, “80% are mothers and 150,000 of these women are pregnant when admitted,” according to the Prison Policy Initiative. Women in prison are supporting their pregnant peers – but may lack tools and training that would help them in that effort….

by Olivia Dockery Black History Month is the time when we honor, reflect and learn about elders who have impacted Black culture and how their legacy is continued. This Black History Month, HealthConnect One wants to honor the legacies of Black birth workers who have played critical roles in improving the health outcomes of Black…

In August 2019, HealthConnect One partnered with UIC’s Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health and EverThrive Illinois during Black Breastfeeding Week. They hosted a film screening of CHOCOLATE MILK, a documentary on the racial divide in breastfeeding. HC One’s Tikvah Wadley, led a successful post-show discussion with the audience. Here are a few…

by Amber Pendergraph, Community-Based Doula with BirthMatters Talk about Pure Awesomeness! I recently had the honor of being grandfathered into a Community Health Worker (CHW) course. The course was followed by a certification exam to become a certified community health worker for South Carolina! The training I attended was facilitated by Julie Smithwick. I thoroughly…

  Thank you to Wesley Bugg, for taking the time this Father’s Day to share about the organization he founded, called Reaching Our Brothers Everywhere (ROBE). What is the goal of ROBE? The goal of Reaching Our Brothers Everywhere is to provide men with culturally appropriate information and resources that allow them to more fully…

Remember, you can still make an impact on maternal and child health by making a donation to our Legacy Fund! We thank you in advance! Donate Today!  

Birth Work in New Mexico Sometimes, we don’t know all the birth options that are available to us and even if we do, they aren’t always accessible. It’s pretty cool that here In New Mexico, Medicaid covers home births and freestanding birth center births with a licensed midwife. It’s such a great option for many…

Read – Moms and babies in Michigan receive the gold-standard of care through Black Mothers’ Breastfeeding Association’s community-based doula program “Black Mothers’ Breastfeeding Association (BMBFA) in Detroit, Mich., has successfully received national accreditation through HealthConnect One’s (HC One) Community-Based Doula Accreditation Program. BMBFA underwent a rigorous process in which the HealthConnect One Accreditation Team reviewed…

This month, BELA leader Tyra T. Gross, PhD, MPH, shares with us how HC One’s Birth Equity and Leadership Academy (BELA) has impacted her as a researcher and advocate. “I was attracted to BELA first because I trust and admire the community work that HealthConnect One does and secondly because of the opportunity to have…

Read – Philanthropy Can Make a Difference in Helping Black and Brown Mothers Survive Childbirth “When we started our work supporting mothers to assure they had healthy births, we were often asked, What’s a doula? Now most people know a doula is a trained professional who provides extended, intensive peer-to-peer support to mothers and families…

by Ambar Rivera I don’t know when exactly I saw the opportunity to apply for a scholarship to take the CLC (Certified Lactation Counselor) certification. What I do remember is that I didn’t apply right away. Probably very busy, as usual. I set it up for later. Then, at the almost very last minute, I…

“I’ve learned a lot in regards to breastfeeding,” says SGA Family Services’ LaTonia Clark about her participation in HealthConnect One’s Breastfeeding Advocate Training. She appreciates that the training was interactive. “The class… it’s gonna help us out as we work with new prenatal mothers. …They’re gonna get a lot of understanding for child development, and infant…

Michelle Neumann, who serves moms with children two years old and under, recently took HealthConnect One’s Breastfeeding Advocate Training with SGA Family Services. “I learned a lot about breastfeeding in a different way than I’m used to,” she says. “I learned a lot about the basics and fundamentals of breastfeeding . . . Miss Helen and…

My name is To-wen Tseng. I am an independent journalist based in Los Angeles, California. My commitment to birth equity began five years ago when I returned to my previous newsroom after giving birth to my first child. I got a rude awakening when my previous employer refused to provide breastfeeding accommodations and harassed me…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contacts: Diana Pando, HC One Communications Coordinator 312.498.4067 dpando@healthconnectone.org Kiddada Green, BMBFA Founding Executive Director 313.400.1215 KiddadaG@BMBFA.org Moms and Babies in Michigan Receive the Gold-Standard of Care Through Black Mothers’ Breastfeeding Association’s Community-Based Doula Program DETROIT, MICHIGAN – Black Mothers’ Breastfeeding Association (BMBFA) in Detroit, MI has successfully received national accreditation…

–> In English <– ¡Hola! ¡Soy Cassie, madre mexicana y Doula de la ciudad de Chicago! Tengo un niño aventurero al que siempre mantengo cerquita de mí. Somos inseparables y nuestro vínculo floreció inmediatamente al nacer. Aquí les comparto un poco sobre nuestro recorrido juntos… Soy tan determinada como mi chiquito, cuando decidí que quería…

–> In English <– Hola, mi nombre es Ambar Rivera. Madre de 3 hijos, Amílcar que falleció a las 6 semanas de nacido, Lucas que ahora tiene 3 años y Joaquín, mi hijo de 6 meses. Soy Doula de parto y de duelo, educadora perinatal, encapsuladora de placenta, asesora de porteo, líder de la Academia…

–> En Español <– Hi. My name is Ambar Rivera and I am the mother of 3 boys, Amílcar who passed away at 6 weeks old, Lucas who is now 3 years old and Joaquín, my 6 month old. A birth and bereavement doula, childbirth educator, placenta encapsulator, babywearing consultant, Birth Equity Leadership Academy (BELA)…

by Mekha McGuire —– In the conversation on Reproductive Justice and Birthing Equity, the climate is one of immense urgency. With public breastfeeding now legal in all 50 states as of July this year, there’s a lot of momentum around birth equity, breastfeeding, and the rights of mothers in both the private and public spheres,…

In honor of Black Breastfeeding Week, breastfeeding advocate Faith Peterson asks Rudina Jackson, a certified lactation consultant and doula, to share her own experience with breastfeeding. FP: What has been your experience with breastfeeding?  RJ: My experience with breastfeeding has been an adventure. I have overcome a lot of nursing difficulties. I have three children,…

Editor’s Note: Loretha is such an inspiration to everyone she meets in her journey as a community based doula. Her knowledge and strength has continued to help women around the world since her start in community based doula work nearly twenty-two years ago. HealthConnect One extends our deepest gratitude and congratulations to Loretha on receiving…

Read – Birth Equity: Start by Supporting and Respecting Doulas “Every year at this time we celebrate mothers and fathers for the important role they play in supporting our families. And yet as a society we don’t do enough to truly help mothers who face unique challenges on the road to birthing and raising children. “Between…

Since 2016, HealthConnect One partnered with the Healthy Children Project, Inc. to offer Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) Training Scholarships to Community-Based Doulas and Breastfeeding Peer Counselors who were (1) Trained under the HealthConnect One curriculum and (2) Providing breastfeeding support in their communities. In response to questions from HealthConnect One Program Coordinator Helen Dimas, Thaneshia…

Since 2016, HealthConnect One partnered with the Healthy Children Project, Inc. to offer Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) Training Scholarships to Community-Based Doulas and Breastfeeding Peer Counselors who were (1) Trained under the HealthConnect One curriculum and (2) Providing breastfeeding support in their communities. In response to questions from HealthConnect One Program Coordinator Helen Dimas, Hannah…

Soy Mexicana y este es el mes de mi Patria / I am Mexican and this is the Month of my Country (Español & English) ~ Elva M Mireles   Ser una nueva mamá (En Español) On Being a New Mom (In English) ~ Diana N. Derige, DrPH   Yoselin: Reclamando Nuestras Tradiciones Sobre La…

–> In English <– Mi nombre es Cyndi Garcia Soy madre de tres niños. Nací y crecí en Long Beach, California y me identifico como Mexicana-Americana. Mi compromiso con la lactancia materna comienza después de tener mi primera experiencia de lactancia materna con mi primer hijo. Desde el comienzo de mi embarazo tuve un instinto…

–> En Español <– My name is Cyndi Garcia. I was born and raised in Long Beach, California and I identify myself as Mexican-American. My commitment to breastfeeding begin after having my very own first breastfeeding experience with my firstborn. From the beginning of my pregnancy, I had a motherly instinct and desire to nourish…

–> In English <– Mi nombre es Yoselin. Nací en Chicago de padres mexicanos. Antes de quedar embarazada, nunca pensé en el embarazo. Pensé que la única opción era tener bebés en el hospital y la lactancia materna era lo mejor. Lo más que investigaba, lo más me daba cuenta que el proceso de parto…

–> En Español <– My name is Yoselin, and I was born in Chicago to Mexican parents. Before I got pregnant, I never thought about pregnancy at all. I thought that the only option was to have babies in the hospital and breastfeeding was the best thing. The more research I did, I realized that the…

HealthConnect One’s Associate Program Director, Wandy Hernandez, is known for her commitment to community health, both in her own community and in her strong support for community health workers across the country. If you’ve spoken with Wandy, you’ve undoubtedly felt her passion for this work and you’ve come away with new ideas. Wandy’s experience and…

In times of crisis, we band together. In times of transition, in times of vulnerability – every day really, but it’s clearest at these times – we must support one another. As birth workers, as cultural workers, as storytellers, parents, families, community leaders and advocates, we know this. None of us are immune. We need…

–> In English <– por Diana N. Derige, DrPH  Director of National Health Initiatives, Urban Strategies Mi embarazo y el nacimiento prematuro de mi hija no resultó ser como yo lo había planeado. En la semana 28 del embarazo fui hospitalizada con problemas de pre eclampsia (complicación que causa hipertensión arterial o presión alta, daño a…

–> En Español <– by Diana N. Derige, DrPH, Director of National Health Initiatives, Urban Strategies My pregnancy and child birth was not what I had planned. By week 28, I was hospitalized with preeclampsia (a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, most often the liver…

Mi Nombre es Elva M Mireles Mi mejor modelo fueron mis abuelas con 11 hijos y a todos darles esa vida que era la leche materna de la manera que Podemos seguir preservando nuestras raíces es no romper esa cadena de vida y salud que temenos como herencia la mejor propaganda para mi es la…

In 2016 and 2017, HealthConnect One partnered with the Healthy Children Project, Inc. to offer Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) Training Scholarships to Community-Based Doulas and Breastfeeding Peer Counselors who were (1) Trained under the HealthConnect One curriculum and (2) Providing breastfeeding support in their communities. In response to questions from HealthConnect One Program Coordinator Helen…

In 2016 and 2017, HealthConnect One partnered with the Healthy Children Project, Inc. to offer Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) Training Scholarships to Community-Based Doulas and Breastfeeding Peer Counselors who were (1) Trained under the HealthConnect One curriculum and (2) Providing breastfeeding support in their communities. Jalyn Spencer-Harris shares below how she leveraged one of three CLC…

by Heidy Brito, Jasmin Coreño, Jacqueline Alva and Jazmin Lopez Teen parents tend to face a lot of negative stigma when choosing to parent. They are often told that they are poor decision makers and are losing out in so much in their lives. So when it comes to breastfeeding, it often surprises adults when…

Since 1996, the Irving Harris Foundation has supported our work to help families navigate their own path to healthier births and improved parent-child bonds. And with her guidance and advocacy, Phyllis Glink has spurred HealthConnect One from a hospital-based program to a national leader in respectful, community-rooted support for pregnancy, birth, and early parenting. We…

Bilingual birth workers from Waukegan, IL share their appreciation for a 2017 workshop.

It was a scene that would be familiar to any Birth Doula: a team of 2 Doulas, a massage therapist, a supportive spouse, surrounding a woman as she worked incredibly hard to push her baby out. This was a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) and one fraught with emotion and deep meaning for the family…

For Black History Month, we invited Black allies, partners and friends to share about Hidden Figures in the Black Birth World. Here is what we heard. Has there ever been a time you supported a mother and she wanted to deliver at a certain hospital but she wasn’t able to do so? Yes, I had a mom that…

Hidden Figures is a movie that portrays women of color who worked at NASA with very important roles — yet were not acknowledged for their wisdom or their contributions to NASA’s great work. At HealthConnect One, we believe that every community has its own leaders, who know the community’s language and hold solutions for the…

Latino-Hispanic Heritage Month 2016 is here, and HealthConnect One is honored to amplify the voices of our Hispanic and Latinx allies, as they share about changes they are making in their lives and communities. ¡Mes de la herencia Hispano / Latino  ya está aquí! Nos encantaría que te unas a nosotros para celebrar del 15…

Latino-Hispanic Heritage Month 2016 is here, and HealthConnect One is honored to amplify the voices of our Hispanic and Latinx allies, as they share about changes they are making in their lives and communities. ¡Mes de la herencia Hispano / Latino  ya está aquí! Nos encantaría que te unas a nosotros para celebrar del 15…

Latino-Hispanic Heritage Month 2016 is here, and HealthConnect One is honored to amplify the voices of our Hispanic and Latinx allies, as they share about changes they are making in their lives and communities. ¡Mes de la herencia Hispano / Latino  ya está aquí! Nos encantaría que te unas a nosotros para celebrar del 15…

Miriam Ocampo ¿Cómo este entrenamiento ha impactado mi vida o trabajo? Hola. Mi nombre es Miriam Ocampo y el curso de entrenamiento prenatal se me hizo muy interesante y útil para poder ayudar e informar a las personas que lo necesiten. Me gustó mucho aprender cosas que ni siquiera me hubiera imaginado, ahora con lo…

¡Mes de la herencia Hispano / Latino  ya está aquí! Nos encantaría que te unas a nosotros para celebrar del 15 de Septiembre al 15 de Octubre de 2016.  Nuestro tema este año es el Cultivando Cambio: los Latinos y los Hispanos hablan acerca de un cambio personal y de su comunidad.  Latino-Hispanic Heritage Month…

Read – MEET THE NEW GROUP READY TO TRANSFORM BREASTFEEDING ACROSS THE NATION CSI’s Inaugural National First Food Racial Equity Cohort develops pathbreaking vision In March 2016, Center for Social Inclusion (CSI) hosted the first convening of the new national First Food Racial Equity Cohort in Washington, DC. The national First Food Cohort is a…

Watch – Community-Based Doula Programs: Innovative Program Model that Supports Families Presented by HealthConnect One Program Staff Brenda Reyes and Tikvah Wadley as part of the CDC-USBC Bi-Monthly Coalitions Webinar Series

by Elizabeth Chang, Bilingual Spanish/English Certified Lactation Counselor, Nursing Student, Founder and CEO of Pretty Mama Breastfeeding, LLC Ms. Chang and HealthConnect One  have crossed paths many times over the years, most recently during our #DandoPecho campaign. We appreciate the opportunity to share a bit of her breastfeeding journey.  From the very beginning when my husband and I…

by Milkah Jackson Flat on her back Legs spread far apart she lays And no matter how uncomfortable Still and fearful she humbly obeys I cannot even begin to tell you the numerous occasions I’ve seen this The countless times this image has played in my head Back and forth…forth and back But somehow this…

For Black History Month 2016, HealthConnect One invited partners and allies to share how they have been influenced or inspired by Black women who made history – women like Sojourner Truth. ~ Editor’s Note by Phyllis Brown Sojourner Truth traveled telling the truth. She also had some of her children taken away from her. As a community-based doula, I have some understanding…

by Stacy Davis I am here to free you just as Harriett Tubman freed the slaves, To free your mind and body from the damage that made you feel no better than yesterday’s trash, To free you from the plagued mindset that black lives did not matter, To free you so that you can freely…

Interview with Joia Crear-Perry, MD We caught up with Dr. Crear-Perry over email to learn about her work with the National Birth Equity Collaborative and how she came to be such a strong advocate for moms. Here is what she shared: What is your name? How many children do you have and what are their ages? I…

  Last month, HealthConnect One hosted a National Action Summit to explore birth equity – and many other topics. We asked participants what stood out to them about this gathering: “The real commitment to reflecting on and improving community based models of care was so refreshing and inspiring,” said Kayla Harvey Nasca. “How comfortable the group was,” offered…

by Randi McCallian, MPH, CPH, CLC, CD(DONA) Men often wonder what they can do to support breastfeeding, sometimes saying they feel left out when a mother breastfeeds. What they don’t often know is… The support of the baby’s father is the most important to a breastfeeding mother. At MHP Salud, we surveyed and interviewed almost…

Durante el mes de la herencia latina/hispana, HealthConnect One se complace en celebrar nuestras tradiciones de lactancia materna a través de conversaciones sobre el apoyo de lactancia. Enseguida esta la serie de blogs, “Celebrando Nuestras Tradiciones de Lactancia Materna”,  de personas que se identifican como latinos/hispanos que son líderes, defensores y que apoyan la lactancia,…

During Latino-Hispanic Heritage Month, HealthConnect One is excited to celebrate our breastfeeding traditions through online and real-life conversation and support. This is the 9th guest post in our blog series, “Celebrating our Breastfeeding Traditions,” featuring individuals who identify as Latino/Hispanic who are breastfeeding leaders, advocates of breastfeeding support, and members of breastfeeding families. by Maria Briseño My name is Maria…

During Latino-Hispanic Heritage Month, HealthConnect One is excited to celebrate our breastfeeding traditions through online and real-life conversation and support. This is the 8th guest post in our blog series, “Celebrating our Breastfeeding Traditions,” featuring individuals who identify as Latino/Hispanic who are breastfeeding leaders, advocates of breastfeeding support, and members of breastfeeding families. by Esperanza My deep love for…

During Latino-Hispanic Heritage Month, HealthConnect One is excited to celebrate our breastfeeding traditions through online and real-life conversation and support. This is the 7th guest post in our blog series, “Celebrating our Breastfeeding Traditions,” featuring individuals who identify as Latino/Hispanic who are breastfeeding leaders, advocates of breastfeeding support, and members of breastfeeding families. by Damien Dimas Greetings! My name is…

Durante el mes de la herencia latina/hispana, HealthConnect One se complace en celebrar nuestras tradiciones de lactancia materna a través de conversaciones por internet sobre el apoyo de lactancia. Este es el sexto puesto de invitada en nuestra serie de blogs, “Celebrando Nuestras Tradiciones de Lactancia Materna”,  de personas que se identifican como latinos/hispanos que son…

Durante el mes de la herencia latina/hispana, HealthConnect One se complace en celebrar nuestras tradiciones de lactancia materna a través de conversaciones por internet sobre el apoyo de lactancia. Este es el quinto puesto de invitada en nuestra serie de blogs, “Celebrando Nuestras Tradiciones de Lactancia Materna”,  de personas que se identifican como latinos/hispanos que son…

During Latino-Hispanic Heritage Month, HealthConnect One is excited to celebrate our breastfeeding traditions through online and real-life conversation and support. This is the 4th guest post in our blog series, “Celebrating our Breastfeeding Traditions,” featuring individuals who identify as Latino/Hispanic who are breastfeeding leaders, advocates of breastfeeding support, and members of breastfeeding families. by Carmen Vergara My name is…

During Latino-Hispanic Heritage Month, HealthConnect One is excited to celebrate our breastfeeding traditions through online and real-life conversation and support. This is the 3rd guest post in our blog series, “Celebrating our Breastfeeding Traditions,” featuring individuals who identify as Latino/Hispanic who are breastfeeding leaders, advocates of breastfeeding support, and members of breastfeeding families. by Diana Limongi  I was…

During Latino-Hispanic Heritage Month, HealthConnect One is excited to celebrate our breastfeeding traditions through online and real-life conversation and support. This is the 2nd guest post in our blog series, “Celebrating our Breastfeeding Traditions,” featuring individuals who identify as Latino/Hispanic who are breastfeeding leaders, advocates of breastfeeding support, and members of breastfeeding families. by Edith Leyva My commitment to…

During Latino-Hispanic Heritage Month, HealthConnect One is excited to celebrate our breastfeeding traditions through online and real-life conversation and support. This is the 1st guest post in our blog series, “Celebrating our Breastfeeding Traditions,” featuring individuals who identify as Latino/Hispanic who are breastfeeding leaders, advocates of breastfeeding support, and members of breastfeeding families. by Nayeli Gomez My name is…

In preparation for our National Action Summit this week, we asked Georg’ann Cattelona, Executive Director of Bloomington Area Birth Services (BABS) and longtime ally, to share a few words on our theme, Shared Voices for Equity in Birth and Breastfeeding. Georg’ann was one of the founding members of BABS and has guided its development as a vital resource for…

In preparation for our National Action Summit this fall, we asked Tamela Milan, longtime community health worker and a member of our Board of Directors, to share a few words on this year’s theme, “Shared Voices for Equity in Birth and Breastfeeding.” Thank you, Tamela. Can you talk about your commitment to birth and breastfeeding support, and…

by Maria Briseño, Breastfeeding Peer Counselor and Candidate for Midwest Regional Representative to the United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) My name is Maria Briseño. I’m from Mexico and was raised in the United States. Culturally, I identify myself as a woman, wife and mother — then lastly, as a Mexican. In my community, I have served as a Breastfeeding Peer…

Since 1986, community health workers have been sharing their personal stories with HealthConnect One — stories of peer counseling, of childbirth, of breastfeeding, of pumping — stories of labor, and supporting the choices made by sisters and neighbors and friends. These stories are shared to motivate one another, to connect or to inspire, and they are timeless. Here’s a…

Since 1986, community health workers have been sharing their personal stories with HealthConnect One — stories of peer counseling, of childbirth, of breastfeeding, of pumping — stories of labor, and supporting the choices made by sisters and neighbors and friends. These stories are shared to motivate one another, to connect or to inspire, and they are timeless. Here’s a…

Before our team hopped on a plane for Power of Community Day in Washington, DC earlier this month, we asked Advocacy Consultant Anne Warden for a few tips to share with advocates visiting legislative staff on Capitol Hill or reaching out to legislators at home. Here’s what she said. The average congressional district has 700K residents. Stand out…

Charlotte Torres, PC, CLC shares her story and beliefs about supporting Black women in breastfeeding

Since 1986, community health workers have been sharing their personal stories with HealthConnect One — stories of peer counseling, of childbirth, of breastfeeding, of pumping — stories of labor, and supporting the choices made by sisters and neighbors and friends. These stories are shared to motivate one another, to connect or to inspire, and they are timeless. Here’s one from…

by John E. Bridges, Jr. My name is John E. Bridges, Jr. and I am a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor. My Journey began when my daughter Amiya was born and it was discovered that she had Hirschsprung Disease. This disease is when certain cells in the large intestine are not active. Because of this disease, at…

by Rosetta M. Walls My name is Rosetta M. Walls and I’m a former Breastfeeding Peer Counselor with HealthConnect One. I inadvertently became a counselor by taking the class to find out how to get my “Boob-Head” son off my breast. He was a little over one years old and I was totally exhausted from nursing….

by Dana Posley, CLC I have been educating and supporting mothers on breastfeeding since 1996. After having my first daughter Jaylin, I not only felt a connection between the two of us but also a connection to the experience of breastfeeding. It wasn’t until signing up for WIC services for my son in 2009, however,…

For Black History Month, HealthConnect One is partnering with Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere (ROSE), MomsRising, and National Association of Professional and Peer Lactation Supporters of Color (NAPPLSC) to celebrate the work of people, organizations and institutions who make a positive impact on breastfeeding in African-American communities. This is the third guest post in our Black History Month…

For Black History Month, HealthConnect One is partnering with Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere (ROSE), MomsRising, and the National Association of Professional and Peer Lactation Supporters of Color (NAPPLSC) to celebrate the work of people, organizations and institutions who make a positive impact on breastfeeding in African-American communities. This is the second guest post in our Black History Month…

For Black History Month, HealthConnect One is partnering with Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere (ROSE), MomsRising, and National Association of Professional and Peer Lactation Supporters of Color (NAPPLSC) to celebrate the work of people, organizations and institutions who make a positive impact on breastfeeding in African-American communities. This is the first guest post in our Black History Month…

by Tytina Sanders-Bey For 33 years, formula corporations have violated the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 21, 1981. To mark the WHO Code Anniversary this year, HealthConnect One joined Public Citizen in a Campaign  to Stop Infant Formula Marketing in Healthcare Facilities, and we invited our…

by Toni Hill For 33 years, formula corporations have violated the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 21, 1981. To mark the WHO Code Anniversary this year, HealthConnect One joined Public Citizen in a Campaign  to Stop Infant Formula Marketing in Healthcare Facilities, and we invited our community partners and allies to…

by Kasey Valentine-Steffen For 33 years, formula corporations have violated the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 21, 1981. To mark the WHO Code Anniversary this year, HealthConnect One joined Public Citizen in a Campaign  to Stop Infant Formula Marketing in Healthcare Facilities, and we invited our community partners and allies to…

by Eileen Murphy, RN, BSN, IBCLC, RLC For 33 years, formula corporations have violated the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 21, 1981. To mark the WHO Code Anniversary this year, HealthConnect One joined Public Citizen in a Campaign  to Stop Infant Formula Marketing in Healthcare Facilities, and we invited our community…

By Hanifah Rios This guest post was initially part of a series leading up to HealthConnect One’s National Action Summit, “Racial Justice or Just Us? in Birth and Breastfeeding,” intended to encourage open,  thoughtful dialogue about finding or not finding, working or not working towards racial justice during the vulnerable time of birth and breastfeeding….

By Hanifah Rios This guest post was initially part of a series leading up to HealthConnect One’s National Action Summit, “Racial Justice or Just Us? in Birth and Breastfeeding,” intended to encourage open,  thoughtful dialogue about finding or not finding, working or not working towards racial justice during the vulnerable time of birth and breastfeeding….

By Brenda Reyes This post is the fifth in a series leading up to HealthConnect One’s National Action Summit, “Racial Justice or Just Us? in Birth and Breastfeeding,” intended to encourage open,  thoughtful dialogue about finding or not finding, working or not working towards racial justice during the vulnerable time of birth and breastfeeding. What is…

By V. Kuroji Patrick This guest post is the fourth in a series leading up to HealthConnect One’s National Action Summit, “Racial Justice or Just Us? in Birth and Breastfeeding,” intended to encourage open,  thoughtful dialogue about finding or not finding, working or not working towards racial justice during the vulnerable time of birth and breastfeeding….

By Hanifah Rios This guest post is the third in a series leading up to HealthConnect One’s National Action Summit, “Racial Justice or Just Us? in Birth and Breastfeeding,” intended to encourage open,  thoughtful dialogue about finding or not finding, working or not working towards racial justice during the vulnerable time of birth and breastfeeding….

A lack of diversity in breastfeeding leadership means developing our own. By Kimberly Seals Allers This guest post is the second in a series leading up to HealthConnect One’s National Action Summit, “Racial Justice or Just Us? in Birth and Breastfeeding,” intended to encourage open,  thoughtful dialogue about finding or not finding, working or not…

by Tikvah Wadley, Program Coordinator, HealthConnect One  This post is the first in a series leading up to HealthConnect One’s National Action Summit, “Racial Justice or Just Us? in Birth and Breastfeeding,” intended to encourage open,  thoughtful dialogue about finding or not finding, working or not working towards racial justice during the vulnerable time of…

by Brittney Williams When I first began seeking a practicum site, I was looking for a way to learn more about breastfeeding. In school, a course I was taking sparked my interest in breastfeeding and got me to thinking more and more. In particular, I wanted to explore the breastfeeding experience among African American women….

The following is an excerpt from an interview with Johari Wisdom, a doula and student midwife who participated in HC One’s Regional Meeting in Tupelo, Mississippi on August 15, 2013: My name is Johari Wisdom, and I am a doula who works out of the Baton Rouge, Louisiana area. I am on this group in…

During its first decade of work, 2002-2012, hundreds of young women in Atlanta who would otherwise feel and be alone throughout their pregnancy had meaningful and loving support from four community-based Doulas: Hanifah Rios, Erika Ortiz, Ponchitta “Perez” Ridley and Maria Ordaz. Trained by HealthConnect One, Families First’s Doula Project helped hundreds of teens to…

~ by Sadie Wych, MPH, CLC, Project Coordinator, HealthConnect One How well do hospitals support breastfeeding families? There’s a test for that! Did you know? The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has administered the “mPinc” (Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care) three times since 2007 (2007, 2009, 2011) to maternity hospitals, to assess…

Read below about a mom pumping breast milk in Turkey – awkward pumping interruptions – traveling globally with a pump – and the dedication of women balancing work and breastfeeding.  These are excerpts from one of the winning entries in HealthConnect One’s breastfeeding photo contest last year. Maybe your entry will be the winner in…

~ by Cindy Ogrin, Development Director, HealthConnect One _____ HealthConnect One is celebrating our 25th Anniversary this year.  In 1986, a powerful group of women had the idea that breastfeeding promotion could have a real impact on the soaring rates of infant mortality in Chicago.  They transformed their commitment into an organization supporting mothers, babies, families…

Our policy consultant, Laura McAlpine, was invited by the White House Office of Public Engagement — as part of a delegation of Illinois grassroots leaders — to attend an all-day policy meeting on the fiscal cliff.  The meeting was to be held on December 13th.  She was already scheduled to present on the community-based doula program during the…

Editor’s Note:  Thank you to Abraham Dueñas, who first shared this story with us in 2010.  His story, like so many others, is timeless, and so we share it again today.  Thank you to all the dads out there for the love and support you show your families ~ Happy Father’s Day! __________ My name…