Open Arms Perinatal Services

Open Arms and PEPS for Parents are excited to offer an upcoming group for Seattle area Black families to find community and connection. Join other Black families who are also navigating early childhood parenting on Fridays from 11am to 1pm, from June 5 to August 7. This peer-to-peer support group will primarily meet virtually, with opportunity for several in-person meetups at El Centro de la Raza in Seattle. If you’re hoping to connect with other Black families, register here: https://bit.ly/OpenArmsPEPS.

Esta clase de dos días, impartida en español durante un fin de semana, está diseñada para personas latinas que darán a luz y sus familias. Es gratuito y se realiza en línea! 13-14 de junio, de 10:00am a 2:00pm.

Registrarse aquí: bit.ly/OAPSServicios.

Let’s talk about the Momnibus Act.

In 2020, Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL), Representative Alma Adams (D-NC), and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced this comprehensive package of 14 bills to Congress under the Black Maternal Health Caucus. This act addresses the high maternal mortality rate in the U.S and the reality that Black birthing people have the highest rate of any racial group.

The 14 individual bills of the Momnibus Act aim to end preventable maternal deaths in America, including growing and diversifying the perinatal health workforce and supporting maternal mental health.

A few of the bills have passed federally, and multiple states have passed their versions of the act. But, the Act has not yet been passed into law with all 14 bills. On March 18, 2026, Representatives Adams and Underwood, and Senator Booker reintroduced the Momnibus Act in Congress. A floor vote will be scheduled soon so now is the time to share your support and spread the word!

To get involved, contact your State Representatives and Senators and urge them to support the Momnibus Act and the Black Maternal Health Caucus initiatives. Find contact information at congress.gov/members. Spread awareness of the Momnibus Act through word of mouth and social media. Congress needs to pass the Momnibus Act!

Visit the Black Maternal Health Caucus’s website to learn more: https://blackmaternalhealthcaucus-underwood.house.gov/Momnibus.

We have a new PEPS for Parents group for Black families in Tacoma! If you're looking for community and connection with other Black families also navigating early childhood parenting, this is the place for you! Drop-in on Tuesdays from 10:30am to 12pm at the Bryant Neighborhood Center.

Register here: https://bit.ly/OpenArmsPEPS.

May is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month 💞

In recent years, the mental health of U.S. mothers and birthing people has worsened. Between 2016 and 2023, mothers reported a nearly 65% increase of “fair to poor mental health.”

Mothers and birthing people face fear, uncertainty, discomfort, social stigma, and barriers to access when seeking mental health support. Many are left without treatment. 75% of mothers and birthing people impacted by maternal mental health conditions remain untreated. As a community, we must support and encourage birthing people and families, and provide supportive resources.

Local mental health resources for birthing people & families:
-PEPS for Parents: Offers peer support groups where parents of all stages can connect with each other and feel supported.
-Perinatal Support Washington: Directory with resources and tools to support parents. Call or text warm line: at 1-888-404-7763.
-Open Arms Parent Gatherings: 2nd Thursday of every month at 11am at Open Arms Office at El Centro de la Raza in Seattle, WA.

National mental health resources for birthing people & families:
-Postpartum Support International: Call/text helpline at 1-800-944-4773.
-Postpartum Progress: Read the blog dedicated to maternal mental health to find warm, positive, in-depth information, support and hope.
-National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: Call/text at 1-833-852-6262.

📢 All birthing people deserve access to care and community!

Pop by to learn about budget-friendly family activities in the Seattle area on Thursday, May 28th from 11am to 2pm! The Open Arms Family Support Services team will be hosting a resource roundtable at El Centro de la Raza in Seattle, WA. Spanish interpretation will be available. See you there! 💖

Expecting BIPOC families! Join us to learn and celebrate the life-giving process of childbirth in community at this month's childbirth education class for families of color.

Classes will be Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24 from 10am to 2pm on Zoom. If you'd like to join us for a cost-free online childbirth ed class, intentionally crafted to honor the cultural experience of birth, register here: bit.ly/OAPSRequestServices.

During the month of May, we honor all who mother- whether that means our birth mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunties or uncles, siblings, or someone who chose to take on the responsibility of mothering us.

At Open Arms, we walk alongside birthing people and families as they navigate the challenges and joys of pregnancy, childbirth, parenting, and beyond. We are dedicated to supporting mothers and parents with the resources necessary to nurture strong foundations that last a lifetime.

On Mother's Day, we celebrate everyone who has taken on the sacred role of mothering.

As Mother’s Day approaches, we ask you to join us in showing up for birthing people! At Open Arms, we honor all those who embody the essence of mothering and care in our lives. When you to Open Arms, you support caregivers who nurture birthing people and their families. Invest in community-led reproductive justice and help us build a world with thriving children, healthy families, and POWERFUL communities! Make a gift today: https://www.wagives.org/organization/OpenArms.

The Open Arms community gathered to share joy and connection last Thursday at Labor of Love. The room was filled with love, unity, and immaculate vibes. It was an evening that reminded us exactly why we do this work! Thank you to everyone who joined us for an unforgettable night.

The night would not have been as special without our lovely Emcee Reagan Jackson, keynote speaker Elizabeth Montez (Anishinaabekwe), Libin Egal Spirit Awardees Shelley Means (Ojibwe & Lakota) and Leah R. Tanner (NiMiiPu), midwife and doula trainer Shafia Monroe, and DJ MIXX America for keeping the energy alive all evening long.

We celebrated birth workers and raised over $130,000 so far to invest in community-rooted, culturally attuned perinatal care.

Together, our community showed up in the most beautiful way. We are so deeply grateful for every single one of you who showed up and poured your hearts into Open Arms and birth equity. With your unwavering support, we can build a world where birthing person and their children are cherished.

Thank you to our devoted volunteers. Your remarkable dedication and hard work made this event possible.

We are already looking forward to the beauty and love of this event next year. Help us make it even more special by sharing your feedback here:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/n24BSYPf4m.

With much love,
Open Arms 💜