Family Health and Birth Center

Happy rainy Tuesday!☂️💙

Take a moment now if you haven't already and participate in our quick survey!

Fill | Community of Hope Social Media Audience Survey - 2024 We aim to gain insights into the interests and preferences of our Community of Hope social media audience. Completing this survey should only take 2-3 minutes. Thank you for dedicating a few moments to share your thoughts with us!

We are continuing to celebrate fathers and father figures! 💜

Meet Richard, a father working hard to rebuild his life for his children through our Permanent Supportive Housing program. When Richard needed a safe space for his children, he got connected to Community of Hope, who assisted him in securing a home.

He is proud that his children get to witness his resilience and persistence and he believes that it will create the same drive in them.

We'd like to continue to salute the parents like Richard who are rebuilding strong foundations for generations to come.

Click the link to read Richard’s full Story of Hope!
https://www.communityofhopedc.org/fathers-quest-provide-safety

Are you ready to Meet the Doulas?!

Our next virtual Meet the Doula session is happening again on June 26 at 6:00pm! Mark your calendar!

Join us for Session 6 focused on newborn care, in which our doulas will address how to care for your new baby in their first few weeks of life.

This is the perfect place to ask questions and learn about all the prenatal and postpartum services we offer.

Sign in June 26 by using the zoom link in the bio!

✨On a February night, just after 1:30 am, a very pregnant Heather drove into the parking lot at Community of Hope’s Family Health and Birth Center with her husband, where midwives Ebony, Sola, and Sherece were waiting for her. Heather's labor progressed rapidly before she could even get out of the car. The following two hours would be an unexpected yet joyous ride to meeting her new baby.🤱🏿

Click the link below to read Heather’s full Story of Hope!🤳🏿
https://www.communityofhopedc.org/birthright-of-joy

💜Community of Hope thanks our board of directors and committee members for their guidance and support. They attend monthly meetings and serve on committees. They give. They bring friends to events. They are deeply connected to our work and mission!
🎉We recently welcomed 6 new members – Anson Christian, Cathy Austin, Monique Diop, Lisa Madden, Justin Matthews, and Vincent Ratliff. That means we also want to thank members who rotated off after many years of excellent guidance and service – Benian Ado, Catherine Buell, Christopher Earley, Stepfan Martin, Heather Wise, and Kimberly Woods.
📷Three of our six recent board members are pictured here: Chris Earley, treasurer; Kimberly Woods, board chair; and Stepfan Martin, secretary.

Thank you for highlighting one of Community of Hope’s leaders of change, Ebony Marcelle, Director of Midwifery, the documentary, and our maternal care approaches to ease inequities for mothers in Washington, DC.

ends today but it is relevant to us every day.

Ebony says in the Washingtonian article, “If Black mamas are doing better, everybody’s doing better.”

Read the full article here:

Maternity Wards Are Fraught for Many Black Patients. Meet Someone Trying to Change That. - Washingtonian Ebony Marcelle wants Community of Hope to be a refuge. "People want to see people that look like them take care of them," she says.

Reminder! Watch Community of Hope in the Birthing Justice documentary on WHUT (channel 32) TOMORROW, Sunday, April 16, at 4:00 PM. 💜
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In recognition of is highlighting the crisis faced by Black mothers, their children and the solutions Community of Hope creates to help transform the maternal care system.
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Stream online at pbs.org/video/birthing-justice-pxaxav/
Leave a comment about your thoughts on the film!💡

We won!🫂

Check out the beautiful image of our maternal health care in action that has won an photo contest in honor of

Celebrates ! Check out some featured photos of our grantees who showed us how they are improving Black maternal health outcomes.

View featured photos from grantees across the country:
- Community of Hope Community Health Center, Washington, DC
- Codman Square Health Center, Dorchester, MA
- Healthy Start San Diego, San Diego, CA

http://ow.ly/v3mV50NGso8

Happy International Women’s Day!🎉

This year’s theme is “Embrace Equity” which Community of Hope is excited to celebrate because our every day mission is to improve health and end family homelessness to make Washington, DC more equitable.

Check out what a few of our fabulous Community of Hope women had to say about the importance of equity to them!

❤️Taneka is in a new phase of her health journey as she learns to manage hypertension.

Three years ago, Taneka’s hypertension reached its peak. Her blood pressure was so high that she could not have much-needed surgery for fear she would not wake up from it. That is when she started seeing Community of Hope’s Curt Eckstrom, Medical Director and Family Nurse Practitioner. 🩺

With a whole-body care approach, together they found the right mix of medications along with dietary guidance to eat less red meat and more fish and salads, to help Taneka live a healthier life. Now she feels in control of her health and able to enjoy moments with her family without the added stress of hypertension that runs through her family. 🥗

Click the link to read Taneka's full Story of Hope:
https://www.communityofhopedc.org/miracles-heart

Tomorrow is the big day—we're talking health equity and BABIES!🤱🏿

Join Community of Hope for an exclusive screening of the new documentary, Birthing Justice, a panel discussion and light reception. 📽

Watch as our Community of Hope leaders, midwives, and doulas share in a national discussion about Black Maternal Health in a moving new documentary focused the birth experience of Black mothers and solutions to transform maternal care. ⭐

When: Sunday, January 22, 2023 from 1PM to 4PM

Where: Trinity Washington University | O’Connor Auditorium | 125 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, DC 20017

🟢Free registration: https://bit.ly/3WLsKO8

Come one, come all for a day of support and learning!

“Every Mother Deserves a Beautiful Birth Story”🤰🏿

In just TWO days, Community of Hope is hosting a screening and panel discussion for the new documentary, Birthing Justice. This is a chance to bring together local leaders to discuss health, pregnancy, equity, and justice.

When: Sunday, January 22, 2023, from 1PM to 4PM
Where: Trinity Washington University | O’Connor Auditorium | 125 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, DC 20017

Speakers include:
⭐️Councilmember Christina Henderson, District of Columbia Council
⭐️Jasmine Bihm, DrPH, MPH, Division Chief for Perinatal and Infant Health, DC Health
⭐️Ebony Marcelle, Directory of Midwifery, Community of Hope
⭐️Monique N. Matthews, Director/Co-Writer, Birthing Justice, Women in the Room Productions
⭐️Abayea Pelt, Senior Director of Maternal and Child Health, Community of Hope
⭐️Ryan Palmer, Panel Moderator and Executive Director, Horning Family Foundation

🟢Free parking is available along Michigan Ave, the circle drive near the Main Hall, and campus parking lots.

This event is sponsored by the Fund II Foundation as part of their deep commitment to advance social change and create an enduring American legacy.

Join us for a day of learning, support, and hope! Register for free and make it a family event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/birthing-justice-documentary-screening-tickets-488195705497

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. died 55 years ago, but his hopes for a brighter future live on. Today, we celebrate his birthday and his leadership toward a world full of justice and equity made possible by advancing peaceful protest and love. 👑

In observance, Community of Hope offices and non-shelter sites will be closed on Monday, January 16th. We will reopen at regular business hours on Tuesday, January 17th.

“This place is really a godsend for women,” says, Taneka. 🙏🏿

Taneka started care at our Family Health and Birth Center twenty years ago, when she delivered her second daughter. Today, Taneka and her whole family, including her grandbaby, rely on our comprehensive healthcare approach.🤱🏿

Thousands of individuals experience pregnancies without resources or with chronic diseases and hereditary disorders. We support hundreds of pregnant mothers and about 14,000 patients. 🩺

Please give before midnight tonight to ensure Community of Hope is ready to welcome our next neighbor! 🎆

Click the link to learn how you can help us support growing families. 🤳🏿
https://www.communityofhopedc.org/2022YEGIVING

In observance of New Year’s Day, Community of Hope offices and non-shelter sites will be closed on Saturday, December 31st, Sunday, January 1st, and Monday, January 2nd.

🟢We will reopen at regular business hours on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023.

We hope you have a healthy new year, and we look forward to seeing you in 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣!

Shortly after Chanice and her children first experienced homelessness, they heard about Community of Hope and moved into The Triumph. An opportunity to reset their course to safety and well-being. 🔑

Thousands of nearby families experience similar challenges – evictions, effects of trauma and loss, and unsafe housing. This year, about 1,400 families accessed Community of Hope’s housing support. 🏡

Will you give today to ensure Community of Hope is ready to welcome the next family? 💌

Click the link to learn how you can help us support families experiencing homelessness: https://www.communityofhopedc.org/2022YEGIVING

In observance of the holiday weekend, Community of Hope offices and non-shelter sites will be closed starting at noon on Friday, December 23rd through Monday, December 26th. We will reopen at regular business hours on Tuesday, December 27th, 2022.

Our expanded Family Health and Birth Center has just been featured in Healthcare Design magazine!

This spring Community of Hope’s Family Health and Birth Center got a beautiful new backdrop in a bigger space which accommodates our nationally accredited birth center and family health services. We added additional exam rooms, counseling services, and a pharmacy.

Thank you to our architects Gensler for their design to make this dream become reality.

You can read the full story here: http://ow.ly/R5av50M58uL

Tell us in the comments... have you seen our new space?

Community Of Hope Family Health And Birth Center Gets Fresh Start - HCD Magazine The nonprofit’s relocated facility to expand services and maternal care to Washington, D.C.’s Ward 5.

Don’t miss Giving Hope for ! 🌈

Your support makes a difference in this community. 🌎

As Jesse shares not only did he find healing at Community of Hope but he found a listening ear. With your help on this day of giving, more people –over 14,000 other neighbors in DC – can achieve good health, a stable home, family-sustaining income, and a hope-filled future! 💞

Click the Giving Tuesday link below to learn more. ⬇️

https://www.communityofhopedc.org/gt2022?utm_campaign=givingtuesday_&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

What difference does quality care make? Good health means you tell your friends to come to the same doctor! 🗣

Your gift this helps more people like Jesse achieve their health goals. Give today! ✅

Jesse came to Community of Hope with Hepatitis C, complications from a foot fracture and high blood pressure. He received health care for the whole person and has experienced healing. And now he tells his friends about our work. Because of Jesse’s outreach and generosity of friends like you, his neighbors know quality care and health, no matter their background. 🖤🤍💜💙💚💛🧡❤️

This Giving Tuesday, make a difference for DC neighbors like Jesse—give the gift of health today! 🩺

Click the Giving Tuesday link below to learn more. ⬇️

https://www.communityofhopedc.org/gt2022?utm_campaign=givingtuesday_&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

We’ve come a long way together!✨

Tomorrow is , which reminds us that we wouldn’t have made it this far without you. 🤝

Imagine how far we can go with your continued support! Please consider making your Giving Tuesday donation this year to Community of Hope to help us serve more people in the coming year. 💗

Click the Giving Tuesday link below to learn more. And check out tomorrow’s story to be inspired with us! 💫

https://www.communityofhopedc.org/gt2022?utm_campaign=givingtuesday_&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

Community of Hope's health centers will be closed Saturday, November 12, 2022.

Heroes in our midst!

There are 16 hospitals in Washington, D.C. But in Wards 5, 7 and 8, where a third of the city’s residents live — there are only three, and none of them offer a labor and delivery for mothers to have their children.

That’s where Community of Hope comes in!

Our Family Health and Birth Center offers the only free-standing birth center in the entire District. Although we’re always proud of the work we do in the community, it’s great to see our mission in action like this.



Thanks to JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Washington Post for sharing our story in such a beautiful way. Thank you to our leadership, medical staff, midwives, birth assistants, doulas, facilities, and everyone who comes together to care for new families and for all families through our comprehensive healthcare.

Watch and read the full story here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/creativegroup/jpmorgan-chase-co/a-new-birth-center-takes-aim-at-womens-health-disparities/

A new birth center takes aim at women’s health disparities Heroes in our midst: The team behind the only free-standing birth center in Washington, D.C. There are 16 hospitals in Washington, D.C. But in the city’s predominantly Black east side — in Wards Five, Seven and Eight, home to a third of the city’s residents — there are only three, and not on...