MomsBloom officially launched in February 2008 when it obtained tax-exempt status. It was developed in response to the expressed need for increased social and emotional supports for parents of newborns in Kent County.

Co-founders Sara Binkley-Tow and Angie Walters met at a local MOMS Club in Grand Rapids, Michigan when their first-born children were just a few months old. They quickly became good friends and had many discussions around the lack of social supports for new moms. After a couple years of research locally and across the country for information that addressed this issue, Sara and Angie came across an article in “Mothering” magazine about the Many Mothers program in Santa Fe, New Mexico. At the same time, Alice Christensen, came across the same article and contacted the Executive Director of Many Mothers and asked how a program like theirs could be started in the Grand Rapids area.

The executive director connected the three women to each other. They discussed their personal experiences (as parent educators, postpartum doulas and lactation specialists) and their experiences with other mothers in the community. The women confirmed the need for a program like Many Mothers in Kent County. These three women became the founding board members of MomsBloom.

2024

Kimber Wager accepts role as Executive Director and 400 families are served.

2021

MomsBloom expands to serving both Kent and Ottawa Counties.

Note: Ottawa county programming is currently paused (as of October of 2025). Read more about the changes and our hopes for Ottawa county in the future

2020

A dedicated Postpartum Support Coordinator position is created for Kent County.

2019

MomsBloom hires an Executive Director and Program Director to lead its growing volunteer team.

2017

As co-founders move on, a team of dedicated MomsBloom board members and volunteers step up to fulfill program roles and continue serving families.

2014

MomsBloom builds its capacity up to serve 200 families a year.

2010

First staff members hired to address the rising need for services.

2008

MomsBloom was awarded generous start-up grants from Dyer-Ives, Steelcase and Frey Foundations. The first 35 families were supported in Kent County.

2007

A local family raises $800 to help launch MomsBloom in lieu of Christmas gifts.

This was compelled by the grassroots mission of MomsBloom. Shortly after, families began being served after the first volunteer training was conducted in Sara’s home.

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