The Village: Supporting Birth Workers and Families, One Mama at a Time
When Sarah co-founded The Village in 2020 alongside Amira and Christy, their mission was clear: bridge the gap in maternal care in the U.S., a country where maternal support often feels like a luxury rather than a necessity. What began as a grassroots nonprofit serving Los Angeles quickly grew into a national network of advocacy and care, empowering birthing individuals and birth workers alike.
Here’s the inspiring story of how The Village is reshaping maternal health care, one small but impactful step at a time.
A Village Born Out of Need
Sarah's journey to founding The Village started with her work as a birth doula, Pilates instructor, and advocate for dignity in maternal care. Joined by Amira, a nonprofit attorney and fellow Pilates instructor, and Christy, an OB-GYN, the trio recognized the critical lack of support services for pregnant and postpartum people in the U.S.
“In other developed nations, services like doula support, pelvic floor therapy, and lactation consultation are often built into maternal care,” Sarah explained. “Here, we’re severely lacking.”
This gap inspired them to act. Through The Village, they provide financial assistance for everything from diapers to doulas. The organization ensures birthing individuals—especially those who are often unheard or disregarded in traditional systems—have access to advocacy and essential care.
How It Works
The application process for The Village is intentionally simple. Applicants must be pregnant or have a child under one year old. There’s no income requirement, and the application includes straightforward questions like, “What do you need?” and “How much does it cost?”
“We almost always say yes,” Sarah said, emphasizing their trust in applicants to use the funds as intended. Grants are capped at $1,500, often covering a portion of costs for services like birth doulas, lactation consultations, or pelvic floor therapy.
Beyond financial assistance, The Village fosters connections between applicants and birth workers. Many referrals come directly from doulas, midwives, and clinics who guide families to the nonprofit when cost becomes a barrier.
A Two-Way Support System
One unique aspect of The Village is its dual impact. Not only does it provide critical support to families, but it also helps birth workers sustain their businesses.
“Many birth workers are women who feel pressured to discount their services,” Sarah noted. “We help bridge that gap so they can charge what they deserve without turning anyone away.”
This dynamic has cultivated a community of caregivers who actively support The Village’s mission. The organization’s “Pay It Forward” program allows these professionals to fundraise through their websites or at their point of sale. Clients who receive exceptional care can donate to ensure others receive similar services.
Fundraising the Village Way
While The Village operates largely on small donations and grassroots efforts, its annual fundraiser, Miles for Mamas, has become a cornerstone event.
Participants can walk or run a 5K or a one-mile course. Originally hosted in Santa Monica, California, it’s now spreading across the country, including a beloved East Coast event in Sarah’s hometown. Last year, the fundraiser brought in $15,000, enabling The Village to fund approximately 10 grants.
“Every dollar counts,” Sarah said. “It’s our motto to help one mama at a time.”
Community-led initiatives, like backyard concerts and local events, also play a significant role in fundraising. These efforts embody the spirit of The Village: neighbors helping neighbors.
The Bigger Picture
Beyond financial aid, The Village addresses systemic issues like the U.S.’s alarming maternal mortality rate, which is more than triple that of other wealthy nations.
“A lot of this comes down to advocacy,” Sarah said. “Having just one knowledgeable person in your corner can be life-changing.”
Advocates like birth doulas and midwives ensure birthing individuals are heard, their concerns validated, and their needs prioritized. For many, this support makes a world of difference during a time when self-advocacy feels impossible.
What’s Next for The Village?
As Sarah prepares to begin nursing school with the goal of becoming a nurse-midwife, The Village is in a “holding pattern” to sustain its current operations while planning for future growth.
“We’re only four years in,” Sarah said. “We have big plans for this organization that span decades. But for now, we’re focused on maintaining what we’ve built.”
With each grant, fundraising event, and connection made, The Village is creating a ripple effect of care that extends far beyond its grassroots beginnings.
Join the Village
Whether you’re a birth worker, a parent in need, or someone looking to make a difference, there are countless ways to get involved. Visit The Village online to learn more about their work, donate, or participate in Miles for Mamas.
Together, we can create a world where every mama—and every birth worker—has the support they deserve.
TL;DR
In this episode, we chat with Sarah Croce, co-founder of The Village, a nonprofit dedicated to providing practical support to moms with no strings attached. Sarah shares the mission behind The Village, which offers scholarship funds for birthing and doula classes, lactation consultants, and everyday essentials like house cleaning, diapers, wipes, and formula.
Sarah explains how The Village raises money through fundraisers and community events, and how they directly support birthing women in need with a simple application process. Sarah also highlights their focus on helping women, as well as their commitment to ensuring birth workers can charge the rates they deserve.
How to connect with the guest:
Website: www.thevillageformamas.org
Extras: Apply for Village Support
nonprofit, support, moms, scholarship funds, birthing classes, doula classes, lactation consultants, resources, services, fundraising, partnerships
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