BirthMatters to expand services with Hello Family Initiative

This month Spartanburg welcomes the launch of Hello Family,  an exciting new program that will provide a continuum of evidence-based services for all children born in the City of Spartanburg, from prenatal care through age five. 

Hello Family serves parents and caregivers, answering questions about child development, offering support, and connecting families to resources and services. The new program is based on research that suggests that investing in the earliest years of life generates the most economical and long-term outcomes. 

BirthMatters is excited to partner with Hello Family to expand our existing community-based doula services to improve birth outcomes and well-being for young children and families in Spartanburg.

Keisha Gray, Program Director of Early Childhood Development with the Mary Black Foundation, a community partner who has significantly invested in this one-of-a-kind program, had this to say: 

“The launch of the Hello Family Initiative in Spartanburg is a testament to the commitment this community has made to ensure that every child and family is well supported for lifelong success.  Providing access to culturally reflective maternal and child health resources such as BirthMatters’ community-based doula services is one example of the quality of support that this initiative will include.  Community-based doulas are an invaluable asset to this community, enabling expectant mothers to be fully prepared to welcome their new baby with confidence knowing that they have what is needed to support the healthy growth and development of their child.â€

Amber Pendergraph-Leak, Executive Director of BirthMatters, enthusiastically welcomes this opportunity to partner with Hello Family, a project of five years’ work by the City and other partners such as the Mary Black Foundation, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, and the Duke Endowment, among others.

Amber says, “We feel honored that Hello Family is trusting BirthMatters to help serve the community. This funding comes at a critical time for us. It will help sustain us for five years, train community-based doulas, and help expand access to doula care in our community.  Healthy, informed, empowered, confident mothers, equals healthy, informed, empowered, confident families!â€

Check out the Hello Family website for more information and local resources here. 

Written by: Chelsea Sosa