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The Problem:
1 in 2 American families struggle to afford enough diapers to keep their babies clean and dry; this is called diaper need. 2 in 5 menstruators struggle to afford period supplies; this is called period poverty. Both diaper need and period poverty create barriers to wellness for NYC families already impacted by poverty. There are currently no government or state programs that provide these critical essentials for families. When families struggle to afford diapers and period supplies, children can not attend daycare or early education programs. When childcare is unavailable, mom can not work, and the family's trajectory and economic mobility are stunted. Aside from the material implications, moms who experience this need are at an increased risk for postpartum depression and their babies are at an increased risk of developing poor attachment. This is why we exist because no family should go without essentials.
Our Programs:
Diaper bank
Each month we distribute thousands of diapers to 250-480 families. Caregivers make appointments to visit our office and receive a diaper supplement for each baby in their care. Families can also receive wipes and other baby essentials like hygiene items and clothing through our diaper bank program. Our diaper bank serves babies ages 0-3. Once a child in our program turns 2 we provide them with a potty kit. Potty kit’s include a potty seat, an interactive potty book for the child and educational literature for the caregiver.
menstrual equity
Our menstrual equity program provides access to supplies and education for the community. Each month we provide free period supplies to NYC women and girls. We provide 3 months of supplies at 3-month intervals. We host our free period education workshops bi-monthly. Her Village has the unwavering belief that every single menstruator should understand what is happening to their bodies.
little free library
Our Little Free Library is located in the waiting area of our Motherhood Resource Center. While families wait for our team to pack up the essential items they are able to pick out their own books. Research shows that children benefit from book ownership. While we use the name little free library unlike a traditional library we don’t want the books to be returned, we want them to be read and loved at home over and over again.
postpartum/newborn kits
Our first and original program, Her Village Inc. hosts an annual community baby shower. During our community baby shower, we provide each new mother with a diaper backpack filled with essentials like bottles, hygiene items, postpartum wellness items, and more. Each mom also receives a full case of diapers and a small gift to celebrate new life.
Our Mission:
We exist to fill in the gaps and make the difference so mothers can thrive.
Our Vision:
We envision a New York City where mothers are stable, well, and whole with a community of support.
Our Story:
Her Village Inc. was founded in 2016 in The Bronx, NY. After experiencing diaper need herself our founder, Chantal Alison-Konteh was determined to make sure other NYC mothers didn't have to struggle. In March of 2016, Her Village Inc. hosted its first community baby shower in the poorest district in the country - The South Bronx. The event went well, News12 reported the event, and many mothers were served. While the event was successful, Chantal was discontent; it was great to support mothers one time, but what about next month? Where is the continuum of support for NYC mothers? That's when Chantal discovered the diaper bank network, and there were people all over the country creating solutions to this very overlooked problem. In February of 2020, Her Village Inc. became a tax-exempt non-profit organization launching its diaper bank, just in time to later provide pandemic relief to over 2,000 families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our Founder
Chantal Alison-Konteh, the Founder and Executive Director of Her Village, is a New York City native born and raised in The Bronx and Harlem. As a young black girl growing up in NYC's housing projects, she witnessed firsthand the impact of systemic oppression on BIPOC families. She now uses her voice for justice, equity, and access for all to break the cycles she's seen ruin her community.
In working with youth and their families in various capacities over ten years, from supporting sex trafficking survivors to teaching English in NYC public schools, Chantal saw the exact needs continue to arise as many NYC families struggled with access to essential items. The idea for Her Village began in 2016 with a community baby shower at The Bronx River housing projects, which ultimately led in February of 2020 to Chantal establishing Her Village as a non-profit diaper bank, which now distributes thousands of diapers and period supplies each month. In addition to her work at Her Village, Chantal is a public speaker and advocate for the women Her Village serves.
Chantal has a Bachelor of Science in Youth and Family Studies from Alliance University (formerly Nyack College). She lives with her husband and four children in The Bronx.
Press: