Stronger Generations Initiative

Stronger Generations is an initiative that partners with community members, patients, and a network of organizations to support pregnant and parenting people in the Boston community. We strive to improve maternal and child health through programs focused on holistic and equitable health and wellness, social support, and building opportunity.

At Stronger Generations, we uphold the following values and beliefs in each area of our work and practice. We believe that:

  • Every baby deserves the healthiest start possible.
  • A lifetime of health equity begins at birth.
  • Health is a human right.
  • Parenthood can be a positive opportunity for growth in a young person’s life.
  • Social opportunity should be equitable for all people.
  • Structural racism is the root cause of health and social inequities.
  • There is power in collaboration among organizations, allies, institutions, and communities.

Programs

To learn more about Stronger Generations programs, check eligibility, and/or get involved click on the program titles below, or visit the Stronger Generations site. If you are a healthcare provider, organization, or would like to refer yourself to a program, please complete a referral form.

Stronger Generations Baby Café - currently paused

Baby Café offers free resources for pregnant or postpartum individuals including:

  • Support from Certified Lactation Counselors and International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants
  • Opportunity to weigh your baby before and after feeding
  • Refreshments, comfortable seating, and open-forum discussions
  • Infant feeding support – you don’t need to be exclusively breastfeeding to participate – we are here to support you with any need you may have!
  • Opportunities to share experiences and make friends
  • Bi-lingual/bi-cultural support (English/Spanish)

Explore the breastfeeding equity page to learn more about breastfeeding support in the community.

Family Partnership Program

The Family Partnership Program provides participants with a Family Partner who serves as their coach beginning in the prenatal period through their child’s second birthday. Program participants receive one-on-one skills-based coaching to help them achieve personalized goals relating to holistic health and wellness, economic mobility, and workforce development. The Family Partner supports participants in navigating prenatal and postpartum care, connects them to resources, and provides family stabilization services. Family Partners are located at 5 sites: Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Brookside Community Health Center, Mattapan Community Health Center, Southern Jamaica Plain Community Health Center, and Whittier Street Health Center.

Young Parent Ambassador Program

The Young Parent Ambassador Program is a paid opportunity for parents under 25 years old to focus on social support, parenting skills, leadership exploration, workforce development, and coaching in support of their individualized goals. Young Parent Ambassadors are paid an hourly rate for all time spent participating in programming.

Young Parent Success Program with Mothers for Justice and Equality

In collaboration with Mothers for Justice and Equality, this program provides case management, coaching, and stabilization services, as well as an incentivized 8-week curriculum of workshops focused on leadership, self-empowerment, financial literacy, and workforce development.

Free Yard Sale Events

The bi-annual Stronger Generations Free Yard Sale Events distributes resources to families in need. These events take place in the local Boston community and provide necessities such as diapers, wipes, kids’ toys, school supplies, hygiene kits, and so much more to families at no cost. In addition, the Free Yard Sale Events bring young families and community agencies together in one space, providing a safe and empowering environment to expand parent knowledge and access to resources. These events are aimed at supporting children 0-5 years old. Join the Stronger Generations Listserv to find out when the next Free Yard Sale Event will take place.

Connecting Hope, Assistance, and Treatment (CHAT) Program

Our CHAT program provides resources for low-income women with breast cancer who do not have adequate income or insurance to pay for necessary services related to their breast cancer diagnosis. Eligible women may receive up to $1,200 per calendar year to help with the cost of medication, breast prostheses, bras, wigs, compression sleeves, transportation to treatment, childcare during treatments and other breast cancer-related expenses.

Learn more about Brigham and Women's Hospital


For over a century, a leader in patient care, medical education and research, with expertise in virtually every specialty of medicine and surgery.

About BWH