“Health of Metropolitan Detroit Community” Grant

Detroit, MI (PRWEB) July 27, 2017

Black Mothers’ Breastfeeding Association (BMBFA) is excited about its work towards national accreditation of its community-based doula program. Thanks to a recent grant from The Jewish Fund’s portfolio for the “Health of the Metropolitan Detroit Community”, BMBFA has received a 3-year award in the amount of $270,885. This support will help BMBFA to build greater fidelity to the HealthConnect One’s evidence-based, community-based doula model; therefore, improving the quality of service and outcomes for program participants.

Since its inception in 2007, BMBFA has been instrumental in reducing health inequities and racial disparities in black communities through direct service, education and advocacy aimed at optimizing the first food experience for black families. Staying true to the organization’s purpose, BMBFA began providing free community-based doula care in 2014. Community-based doulas provide expectant moms with the critical prenatal, birth, breastfeeding and postpartum support needed to ensure all babies are born healthy.

“My experience has been amazing. I absolutely love having my doula. I gained a friend and I have a beautiful healthy daughter. Thank you so much. I hope I can have my same doula with my next kid. I love breastfeeding!” Krystal Chattam, community-based doula participant.

Over the next three years, BMBFA will train more community-based doulas and expand services throughout the Detroit community. BMBFA’s next training class will begin in the fall of 2017. In early 2018, BMBFA will employ additional community-based doulas. These program enhancements will increase the level of services to the community. By 2020, BMBFA will have provided more that 4500 hours in doula care for black women of Detroit.

Margo Pernick, Executive Director of The Jewish Fund states, “The Jewish Fund is excited to support the efforts of Black Mothers’ Breastfeeding Association to enhance the quality and access of community-based doula services in the city of Detroit through national accreditation. We look forward to learning of its impact on the lives of pregnant women and new mothers in our community in the months and years to come.”

Black Mothers’ Breastfeeding Association (BMBFA) is a non-profit organization. Its mission is to reduce racial inequities in breastfeeding support for black families. BMBFA envisions positive cultural sentiments about breastfeeding, multi-generational breastfeeding support and encouragement within black families and neighborhoods. For more information, visit BMBFA.org.

Sinai Hospital was a Jewish community funded facility that grew to become one of metropolitan Detroit’s top health care institutions. In 1997, Sinai Hospital was sold to the Detroit Medical Center. The Jewish Fund was established from the proceeds of this sale. As a legacy of Sinai Hospital, The Jewish Fund continues the strong tradition of assuring that excellent and compassionate care is provided to those in need in Metropolitan Detroit by awarding grants to help vulnerable individuals to improve their health and human condition. For more information, visit thejewishfund.org.

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