Rootead’s Birth Justice Branch is improving maternal health outcomes through our comprehensive programming. By providing doula-based care, professional lactation support, and essential family resources, we actively work to eliminate barriers during pregnancy and postpartum.
“Birth Justice means that every birthing person is treated with respect and dignity, during pregnancy and after, especially women of color,” said Lauren Jones, one of our Red Birth Green doulas.
Our Red Birth Green (RBG) doula program addresses black infant mortality with community care and principles of traditional healing practices. The program’s goal is to reduce over-medicalized birth experiences by providing holistic advocacy training that educates families on patient rights in medical settings and the use of personalized birth plans.
This approach has demonstrated a significant impact on local health outcomes. The program has maintained a record of 84 births with zero deaths, contributing directly to Kalamazoo County achieving the best infant mortality rate in the state of Michigan.
Beyond doula care, our Birth Justice branch provides safe, nurturing spaces for new parents to find resources and community. To prepare expecting parents, the organization offers Blossom Babies, a childbirth and postpartum education class designed to build confidence for labor, delivery, and the early weeks of parenting.
“It’s all about stacking our resources so that we can come together and make more connections with community members and help [Kalamazoo] be a healthy, thriving community,” said Telisha Parker, our Birth Justice Lead.
After birth, families can make an appointment at our Baby Café to receive infant feeding support from lactation professionals. We have also partnered with El Concilio and Interfaith Homes to bring the Baby Café into other community spaces. Families in need can also receive free diapers and pull-ups on Wednesdays from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm during our Diaper Giveaway.
Families facing milk supply challenges or infant medical needs can also utilize our Milk Bank Hub to access up to eight ounces of fully screened, pasteurized donor breastmilk per week at no cost. More information and a Milk Bank hub request form can be found here.
Birth Justice also hosts Village Playdates every Wednesday from 10:00 am to 11:30 am, offering a free drop-in space with story time and crafts for children up to four years old. This space offers a place to learn and play that focuses on inclusivity and community.
Anyone in need of support or services for their birth or parenting journey can learn more on our Birth Justice branch page. There you can request a doula, access the Milk Bank hub, and view the programming calendar.
Article Summary:
Rootead’s Birth Justice Branch is dedicated to improving maternal health outcomes by offering a comprehensive suite of services, including doula-based care, professional lactation assistance, and various family resources.
A central part of this initiative is the Red Birth Green program, which utilizes traditional healing and holistic advocacy to reduce infant mortality and move families away from over-medicalized birth experiences. This program has seen significant success, contributing to a record of zero deaths across eighty-four births and helping Kalamazoo county achieve the highest infant mortality ranking in the state.
Rootead’s Birth Justice branch also offers educational classes like Blossom Babies to build parental confidence during labor and the early weeks of parenting. Postpartum support is further extended through the Baby Café for feeding assistance, a weekly diaper giveaway, and a Milk Bank Hub that provides free donor breastmilk to families facing supply or medical challenges.
Additionally, the organization hosts Village Playdates, a weekly playdate for young children, ages 1 to 4, to foster a sense of inclusivity and connection.
All Birth Justice programs aim to create a healthy and thriving local village.