Dear Friends,
2022 has been a record year for Birth Roots. We reached 689 new families through our classes and hosted over 400 families at our events. This level of community engagement is extraordinary - representing 160% growth from 2020. It moves us closer to the tipping point where real cultural change takes hold in how families are valued and supported in Maine.
And yet, as we enter a time of reflection on the year, we acknowledge that we were not able to meet the needs of all families in our community.
This year, 315 families arrived on our website and did not find an opening in our classes, instead signing up for our waitlist. That’s over 300 families who recognized that they needed the support and community of Birth Roots but were unable to access that resource.
In 2022, families were confronted with scarcity in every direction they turned. Formula shortages, daycare “deserts,” scant affordable housing, and an overburdened healthcare system. In 2023, Birth Roots cannot - will not - be another place where families find scarcity.
What are we doing about it?
We’ve secured an additional 1,250 sq. feet of space on the second floor of our building, effectively DOUBLING our indoor space. This classroom will allow us to offer more classes and will serve as home to new collaborations with partner organizations. We’re expanding our team of diverse, highly skilled perinatal professionals in order to add more classes and decrease waitlists. We’ve grown our Board of Directors to meet the needs of our nonprofit in 2023, and beyond, and are investing in organizational systems to increase efficiencies. We're investing in comprehensive trainings to ensure that all Birth Roots staff, facilitators, curricula, and policies are centered in welcoming, inclusive, trauma-informed practices.
We’ve thoughtfully sketched out 2023 objectives for an expansive, responsive, resourced organization. Today, we move forward - steady and resolved - building a world where families emerge from the early parent and childhood experience confident, adaptable, and resilient.
We need your renewed, generous support to do this work and continue our mission.
Together, with your investments, we will make Birth Roots accessible to all new and expectant parents in our community.
With gratitude,
Leah, Emily, Kate, Nina, and the Board of Directors
