In spite of COVID-19’s enduring impact, the Breastfeeding Resource Center hosted their annual celebrations of both World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) and Black Breastfeeding Week (BBW). Keeping the safety of their clients in mind, the non-profit organization hosted breastfeeding parents and their babies in virtual gatherings and celebrated breastfeeding through social media campaigns.
World Breastfeeding Week
The BRC’s Global Latch-On event, hosted via Zoom, connected parents and their babies for the annual celebration. The event mirrored a typical support group meeting, allowing attendees the opportunity to connect with an IBCLC for breastfeeding help. With the WBW theme of “Support Breastfeeding for a Healthier Planet” in mind, the BRC shared client photos throughout the week, via social media, of the many ways our community is committed to creating a healthier planet.
Additionally, BRC staff members Colette Acker IBCLC, Executive Director, and Chloe Acker IBCLC compiled 167 bags of candy for lactation consultants and nurses at Temple University, one of the locations out of which the BRC serves its clients.
Black Breastfeeding Week
The eighth consecutive year of BBW took place from August 25th to the 31st with the theme “Revive. Restore. Reclaim.” Throughout the week, the BRC shared photos and testimonials from clients. Each month, the BRC hosts a Women of Color Support group led by women of color counselors to address a variety of nursing topics, including cultural disparities related to nursing, stigma associated with nursing in communities of color, creating your nursing support network, and maternal health.
Additionally, in an effort to better support women of color in their journey to help breastfeeding parents, the BRC is offering a Women of Color Community Counselor Scholarship via lottery process for its Community Counselor program.
Supporting our Community
“The Breastfeeding Resource Center, its IBCLCs, and staff have been committed to the mission of the organization and our community even more so throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” shared Colette. “The benefits of breast and chest feeding for babies is apparent now more than ever, and ensuring our clients have a safe space to connect is a priority. Our virtual WBW events and support groups have made it possible for us to extend our services to those in quarantine or even outside the area.”
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