Umbrella Babies

Umbrella Babies is a mom and baby program led by a Cross Cultural Health Broker that empowers new and expecting mothers to make informed choices about their health during their birthing year.

CCHBs are bilingual/bicultural health workers who bridge language and cultural barriers. They work with community members to access medical and social services, to navigate the health care system, and to empower them to make informed decisions. They support the relationship between patients and the health care system.

Umbrella Babies mom and baby groups are facilitated by a Cross Cultural Health Broker various health professionals and include topics such as how to choose a maternal health practitioner, reproductive mental health, breastfeeding, and baby’s sleep. The group also takes part in mom & baby yoga classes, childbirth preparation classes, and first aid for parents. Currently, Umbrella Babies groups serve Spanish-language (Voces Maternas).

Click HERE for a summary of the Voces Maternas project [Infosheet]

For more information please contact Irene Santos at isantos@umbrellacoop.ca.

The Cross Cultural Health Broker helped me navigate the health care system in Canada. This support helped me maintain my baby’s health and mine as well.”
- Voces Maternas participant

Voces Maternas was piloted with the generous support of Vancouver Foundation, with help from Green Shield Canada, Vancity and the City of New Westminster.