Willow Tree Family Center is a community space that hosts a variety of groups in Greater Lansing. It serves families through the pregnancy process and provides birthing, baby, and holistic services in one location. Willow Tree primarily houses peer-to-peer support groups for parents and connects families to professional services. Its space also houses a free store for baby and maternity items and is home to Molly Massage.
Expecting mothers can connect to other pregnant moms through its Expectant Moms Facebook group. The group provides the opportunity to remotely network with other parents, get questions about motherhood answered and chat with local doulas.
Parents of newborns up to 6 months old can receive peer support through the Newborn group at Willow Tree, and for parents of children older than 6 months, the center offers its Parenting and Play group. Both groups meet twice a month to talk about transitions, strategies and stories of parenting young children, as well as give an opportunity for the children to interact with their peers.
Parents experiencing feelings of sadness, depression or anxiety are welcome to attend Shades of Perinatal Wellness. This group connects parents having emotional distress during pregnancy or after birth. The group meets via Zoom each Thursday. It is facilitated by a licensed clinical social worker and is free of charge.
For parents who have experienced loss through miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death, the HOPING, helping other parents in normal grieving, group meets the second Thursday of each month.
Black mothers who are or were breastfeeding are welcome in the Black Breastfeeding Sisterhood group. The group is also open to Black mothers who have turned to formula due to lack of support. The group meets the first Monday of each month for lunch and has a Facebook page to follow.
Another group for parents is Raising Black and Biracial Children meets the first Saturday of each month. The group strives to promote pride and healthy racial identities in children while building a community.
Working moms can connect with other working moms in the Working Mamas group. Through this group, moms have the ability to network and talk about the struggles of parenting while working. The group meets the second Saturday of each month and has an online Facebook group.
Parents that are looking for opportunities to be outdoors and connect with nature are welcome to join the Boots and Roots group. The group meets outside for hikes at various locations. A page for information on event times and locations is available to follow on Facebook.
The organization also helps families navigate questions about prenatal care, outline birthing preferences and plan postpartum care. For parents seeking services beyond support groups, the center connects them to in-person and virtual services for birthing, breastfeeding and postpartum care.
To learn more about Willow Tree Family Center and the services it provides, visit willowtreefamily.com
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