Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within MomsBloom

MomsBloom is committed to being a diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization where all employees, volunteers, and clients - whatever their sex, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, education, or ability - feel valued and respected.

Diversity, Composition, and Representation - Where are we now? Where are we going?

  • All client, volunteer, staff, committee member, and board member identities are all voluntarily self reported and consented to aggregate data presentation. The data below is from 435 reporting clients and 255 reporting volunteers from 2022.

  • Client Racial and Ethnic Identities

    • 4% Asian

    • 13% Black and/or African American

    • 8% Hispanic and/or Latinx

    • 1% Indigenous and/or Native American

    • 3% Multi-racial

    • 69% White

    • 2% Did not report

  • Volunteer Racial and Ethnic Identities

    • 2% Asian

    • 4% Black

    • 5% Hispanic

    • 3% Multi-racial

    • 86% White

  • Staff Bios

  • Board Member Bios

  • 3 parents supported, 12 active volunteers, 1 staff member, 3 committee members, and 0 board members report an identify within the LGBTQ+ community

  • 69% of families supported are living below the 200% federal poverty level

  • 70% of families have more than one child at home, 36% of those families have more than two children

  • Client Service Area

    • 69% City (GR, Wyoming, Kentwood, Holland)

    • 27% Rural

    • 4% Suburbia (Comstock Park, Grandville, Northview, Walker)

  • 2021-2025 Goals

    • We strive for our client identities to, at minimum, reflect the demographics of our communities and, at best, represent the most under-supported individuals during their postpartum period

    • Volunteers racial and ethnic identities mirror the identities of our clients that we support by 2025

      • How? More “full circle” parents (previously supported families becoming volunteers), through intentional partnerships, building relationships and trust among communities

    • Continue to increase diverse representation among staff, committee members, and board members

Equity, Outcomes, Root Structures, and Engagement

  • Inequities within postpartum experiences

    • Black, Indigenous and People of Color experiences

      • Traumatic birth experiences (alone during birth and not being heard)

      • Very high rate of c-sections that are not medically necessary

      • Postpartum concerns dismissed/ignored

        • OBGYN dismissive of parent’s concerns about recovery and pain levels

      • Dismissive medical staff has lead to high ER visits, hospitalizations, and urgent medical care

      • Black women are 3X more likely to die during childbirth AND up to one year postpartum; non-Black POC are 2x more likely (in W. MI)

    • Families experiencing poverty

      • Lack of access to postpartum medical care

      • Unable to afford postpartum doula or childcare

      • Increased likelihood of experiencing postpartum depression, and less likely to be able to afford therapy and medication to alleviate symptoms

    • LGBTQ+ families

      • Lack of safe spaces to go for medical care during postpartum for parent(s) and baby

      • Discrimination in feeding support

      • Increased likelihood of no or limited familial or social supports

  • Ways MomsBloom is working towards equity

    • Providing a range of trainings for staff and volunteers to increase cultural competency - led by members community partners and individuals with the cultural identity presented

    • Diversify volunteer and client base - connect more people with similar backgrounds and experiences

    • Prioritize enrollment for families with limited support, resources, and income

    • Increase diverse representation among our board and staff with a strong focus on inclusion, accountability, and lifting voices - center underrepresented voices.

Inclusion, Relationship, Experiences, and Ownership

  • Why is inclusion important in postpartum support?

    • Everyone deserves to have a voice and to be heard

    • All postpartum experiences are different

  • What is MomsBloom doing to be more inclusive?

    • Being intentional and having accountability with our DEI work

    • DEI advisory committee with diverse representation

    • Elevating and centering diverse voices

    • Implicit Bias training for all staff and board members

    • Ensuring that diverse individuals with equitable values are in positions of power, making decisions, and throughout MomsBloom’s structure