Over the years of its existence in Peekskill, Birthright has evolved and grown just as the mothers they’ve served during their 50+ year history. The essence of Birthright will always be to support pregnant women and women with children, said Colleen DiRago, executive director. “What we’re doing now is walking with people,” as they navigate what is needed when they experience an unplanned pregnancy. She is proud to have built a reputation that translates into solidarity.

No distinction is made based on age, race, nationality, marital status, religion or legal status. Help is free and confidential. “The most important piece is the relationship with the families so they can trust us. We provide information and resources, depending on each person’s situation,” explains the director. 

Walking alongside their mothers has gotten easier with the organization’s move to One Park Place nearly a year ago after a multi-year search for a new home. In addition to the New York State Department of Labor being in the building, the Choice Case Management Agency recently moved into offices on the same first floor as Birthright. 

“A lot of the families we serve are undocumented and there is much distrust about government agencies. We’ve worked hard in the community to build relationships with the organizations we refer people to. We’ve walked over to the unemployment office with people to help them find out about job training and applying for work visas. We don’t always accompany them to other agencies but when we refer them we know they will be welcomed because they explain they were told by Birthright to come,” said DiRago who has been the director for seven years and involved with the organization for 11. The director receives a small stipend and all other positions in the organization are volunteer.  The budget relies on donations as it is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit. 

While diapers and baby clothes are the most common request for Birthright, questions about resources regarding childcare, food insecurity, housing, and other financial needs are also addressed. They distribute an average of 40 packages of diapers each week.

Determination that overcomes obstacles

The location at Suite 140 on the ground floor of the building on Park Street, is warm, child-friendly, and organized with a wall filled with pictures of newborns. Even when language poses a barrier, staff overcome it with a smile or some Spanish phrases learned along the way. According to DiRago, 95 percent of clients are Spanish-dominant immigrants, some undocumented. “Here we make it clear that they have nothing to worry about. We try to help them in every way we can.” She has been learning Spanish for years and speaks some. She admits to practicing on an app at night, which has helped improve her vocabulary.

One option is to refer mothers to other community organizations where they can receive assistance in various areas: health, education, housing, and employment. She acknowledges the difficulty in accessing a job without proper documentation. Still, Birthright provides comprehensive support to its clients and shares strategies to help women move forward with their children.

Payment method: A smile

Once a month, Renee arrives at the center with her daughter Alicia. There, in addition to receiving beautiful clothes for her little one, she has obtained information about other organizations that can support, such as health and education services. It was Giselle, Renee’s sister, who first brought her to Birthright.

Giselle recounts meeting DiRago outside a neighboring supermarket. “She is always very kind and does everything possible to communicate with us if we don’t speak English.”

While women select clothing from a rack, Alicia, with the unique innocence of a 3-year-old, explores Birthright’s toy corner. She navigates a toy kitchen and a basket of blocks until she finds the most precious treasure: a bag of princess figurines. She hugs it, while the staff encourages her to take it home. Then, from the door, Renee asks, “How do you say it?” And Alicia, smiling, replies, “Thank you.”

Touching stories

For DiRago, it is very rewarding to see children recognizing themselves in the mosaic of photos on the wall. It is a collection of portraits of all those babies born under the center’s protection. This makes Birthright’s mission a tangible experience for those who support the cause. “It’s very beautiful to see how children come in and say, ‘this is me’ or ‘this is my cousin,’” mentions DiRago.

Every day at Birthright is different. However, tasks must always be carried out with diligence. In the morning, volunteers go through clothing received at the center to sort and organize. There is no designated laundry space, so they emphasizes that donors bring clean and well-maintained clothing. The director greets donors warmly.

A chain of favors

A true network of support is woven among clients and some 30 volunteers at Birthright. New clients arrive at the center having been recommended by friends or family. Marlene recently moved to Peekskill and, thanks to a good friend, learned about the place where her 8-month-old baby can get clothes and other childcare products. In the small room designated for storing clothing, sorted by sizes and other characteristics, the mother found some dresses for her daughter. However, what excited her the most were a pair of black patent leather shoes. “It’s very nice for me to feel the support, especially because I hardly know anyone here. I’m not working at the moment and can’t buy everything I’d like to,” she says.

In addition to new outfits for her baby, Marlene received information about the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) at Birthright, a federal initiative that helps low-income families purchase food. The director explains that Marlene is eligible because her baby was born in the United States. SNAP operates through an electronic card that can be used at supermarkets and local stores.

Evelyn was also brought to Birthright by a friend. The young mother of two small children confesses that the help she receives there has been crucial in supporting her home, especially now that it has been difficult to work with the arrival of her second baby. “They have welcomed me like family. I’ve told other moms that they can receive support here. Thus, the help multiplies.”

Partnerships for development

Next door to Birthright, the Department of Labor houses a  Peekskill Career Center, which promotes community access to employment resources and tools. They even offer English classes. Their support for mothers is significant and includes training programs and other activities.

Employment is a cornerstone of community support, especially when involving mothers. The Department of Labor issued a statement referring to a 2023 report on the Gender Wage Gap and how women with children “face significant challenges” in the job market. One of these challenges is the closure of childcare facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had an even more severe impact on working women, who are generally responsible for childcare. Those challenges are amplified when families are undocumented. 

That’s why Birthright also provides information about childcare resources. For example, in 2019, there were 207,000 unemployed women in New York. By 2023, the number had nearly doubled to 405,000 cases. This reflects an upward trend that community organizations are seeking to address.

Labor of love from volunteers

From the small suite in the building on Park Street, DiRago describes the love that Birthright fosters among its volunteers and acknowledges that it is a team effort to run the organization. Some have been supporting the cause for decades by volunteering in the office while others contribute from home offering assistance around newsletters and mailings. 

Through partnerships with other organizations in Peekskill, Birthright’s impact is multiplied. For example, when a group donated winter coats for children but they were too large for the population Birthright serves, they reached out to contacts in the school district to make the coats available for older children in need. The collaborative efforts reflect the philosophy of cooperation and accompaniment, achieving significant advancements in the community.