As you may have already heard, Birth Mark has hit a fundamental roadblock in our journey, being at an all-time low for private funding. This means that we may be forced to close our doors at the end of 2023, leaving a gap in reproductive support and services that we have worked so hard to fill over the last 5 years. 

 

 

On September 24th 2023, Birth Mark will be hosting our first-ever fundraising walk in Hamilton at Confederation Park. 

The event will include a 3km walk/run/stroll/roll along the water, come back to relax and celebrate with onsite vendors and activities, live entertainment and food, and so much more. 

 

Register today as an individual or a team, set goals, and challenge each other to reach your fundraising potential! All funds raised will go right back into Birth Mark being able to continue to provide free and accessible doula and perinatal support to folks who need it the most. 

 

If you are a company or organization looking to support in other ways please email walkwith@birthmarksupport.com to receive a copy of our sponsorship package and vendor information. 

 

→ Sponsor a part of the Step Up! Walk (ie entertainment, photo booth, safety zone)

→ General event sponsorship with marketing opportunities (many levels available)

→ Set up a vendor booth onsite

→ Donate items for our registrant swag bags and/or raffle

→ Start your own team for the fundraiser and challenge your employees to raise the most money!

 

If none of these make sense for you, let us know! We're always looking for new ways to partner and work together, so we'd love to hear your ideas. 

Click on any of the events above for more information and to register.

 

The first three Fridays of the month there's something for everyone!

 

If you come for yoga in the morning, stick around to connect with other folks navigating the pregnancy/newborn period in our social group! Light lunch/snacks will be available and participants will have the opportunity to browse the Giving Wall for a few necessities.

 

These events are open to the public, both virtual and in-person (Toronto only).

Free for Birth Mark clients; pay-what-you-can for community members.

Click or tap the images above to register today!

 

Come visit us and make a donation, learn more about what we do and meet our team, pick up some of our Birth Mark goods, or register for our September 24th fundraising walk in-person!

 

 

This workshop focuses on non-gestational parents experiencing perinatal anxiety and depression, with a focus on identifying symptoms, resources, and community support. This space is intended for non-gestational parents at any stage of their perinatal journey to learn together.

 

Bring your gently used baby gear, baby and children’s toys, baby and kids clothing, books and school supplies to Withrow Park Farmers’ Market on August 19 for a Back-to-School “Swap”! Don’t have anything to donate but need stuff for the kiddies?

No worries, come find what you need. All are welcome! No need to donate in order to take.

 

 

Are you a non-gestational parent supporting your partner through their perinatal journey while they experience a PMAD (Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder)? Join us for an informative and compassionate workshop designed to provide you with essential knowledge and tools to help you and your loved one during this challenging time.

This workshop will provide information to non-gestational parents whose partners are experiencing a PMAD during their perinatal journey, with a focus on identifying symptoms, caring for their loved ones, and caring for themselves. This workshop is open to all parents, with a focus on the experiences, challenges, and supports for non-gestational parents.

 

In Canada we are fortunate to have protective legislation that allow you to nurse your baby anywhere, anytime. Most birthing people are also entitled to up to 18 months of protected leave for your place of work, but this is not the case for everyone. Many people still do not have the job security or income to be able to afford a leave for that long, which places infant feeding at risk, especially when supports are low and breast/chestfeeding is the goal. 

As per UNICEF and WHO, there are many ways employers can support a parent who wishes to breast/chestfeed, and these are just a few: 

BBW 2023: We Outside! Celebrating Connection & Our Communities

Black Breastfeeding Week is an American initiative, but it definitely does not mean that it shouldn't be celebrated and recognized here in Canada. More work can always be done to ensure that Black families and babies are supported in their feeding journeys, protected and empowered to grow and thrive, free of judgement, biases and assumptions. 

While this list is by no means exhaustive, organizations in Toronto and Ontario like Ocama Collective, Black Moms Connection, Mommy Monitor, Ontario Black Doula Society, and Ancestral Hands Midwives

work to further these initiatives, providing information, support and advocacy.