Having a baby and becoming a parent can be a scary and overwhelming experience, but since 1999, Palo Altans have been fortunate to have a local nonprofit organization called Blossom Birth (also know as “Blossom”) to help ease the transition. The mission of Blossom is to provide resources and support for a healthy, informed and confident pregnancy and parenting journey, but what it really does is help build a strong sense of community for Palo Alto parents. Based out of its space at 299 S. California Avenue, Blossom is open six days a week and offers everything from used baby clothes, to prenatal yoga, to drop in playgroups.
Blossom stays true to its beginnings as a Bay Area pioneer
Blossom’s storefront at 299 S. California Avenue
The roots of Blossom began in 1979 when a group of doctors and volunteers founded a birthing center called “The Birth Place” in Menlo Park to give mothers an alternative to institutionalized hospital environments. At a time when there were not many birth choices for pregnant women, the Birth Place and its accompanying Resource Center for Pregnancy and Childbirth were pioneers in their field. Although changes in health care led to the center’s closure in 1994, the Resource Center remained and eventually became Blossom Birth. “Some of the classic books in our lending library still have the original stamp from The Birth Place,” recalls Blossom’s current Executive Director, Mora Oommen. “For 15 years, Blossom has served families seeking community by offering support and resources to navigate the birth experience.”
Operating as a non-profit, Blossom is a sanctuary for expectant mothers looking to discover different birthing options and information about how to have a healthy, informed and confident pregnancy and parenting journey. In addition to receiving funds from the programs, membership fees and the resale boutique, Blossom’s operating budget depends on grants, donations and fundraisers. It has a small part-time staff, but relies heavily on its volunteer board, and has over 30 instructors teaching a variety of birth and postpartum classes.
Oommen discovered Blossom when she was an expectant mom looking for a community of friends. “I took every childbirth prep class at Blossom and began to volunteer. After my baby arrived, Blossom became my home away from home.” She began working at Blossom’s California Street space in 2007 and eventually became its director. Blossom’s Assistant Director, Kristin Chandler, met Oommen at their childrens’ school and joined the organization in 2014. Kristin and Mora embody a hallmark characteristic of Palo Altans- they were so moved by the impact of an organization that they began giving back to it and are now helping lead it into the future. Mora Oommen (L), Blossom ED and Member (Photo: Blossom)
A unique space for Bay Area families to learn & find community
In the midst of hyper-expensive Palo Alto, Blossom has been called a ‘little oasis of sanity for pregnancy, birth, and baby information, and an amazing gift to the entire community.’ Unlike other for-profit parenting stores and retail baby outlets, Blossom has a welcoming community vibe and strives to be an affordable ‘one-stop shop’ for all things mother and baby.
Blossom provides a full schedule of yoga classes for new and expectant mothers, along with drop-in playgroups, a lending library of parenting and childbirth books, and a resale shop called Blossom Beanstalk, which stocks gently used, high quality baby clothing (newborn to 5T) at fantastic prices.
Beanstalk boutique – gently used, affordable baby clothingcalled , which stocks gently used, high quality baby clothing (newborn to 5T) at fantastic prices.
Prenatal yoga class at Blossom Birth (Photo: Blossom Birth)
Serving over 600 families a month, the myriad of over 30 classes, workshops and resources, range from ‘meet the doulas nights’, several birth preparation classes, lactation consultants, CPR, baby sign language playgroups, Music Together and information about how to select the perfect baby sling or choose the right diaper system. They also have a fantastic online directory stocked with resources urgently needed by expectant or new mothers, such as night nurses, nutritionists, acupuncturists, and even baby photographers.
Blossom is open to the public, but for $99 (tax-deductible), parents can join to become lifetime members, which allows them discounts to classes, yoga and groups, retail/resale products, consultations and rentals and the lending library. Membership fees also support the Blossom community fund, which is dedicated to serving all expecting and new parents regardless of economic status.
A strong and active presence in Palo Alto
The classes and resources that Blossom offers are wonderful, but the organization’s mission is ultimately focused on bringing parents together in Palo Alto. “It’s really important for us to build a community,” said Assistant Director Kristin Chandler. “That’s really the heart and soul of Blossom’s mission: creating a space where people can connect and share their birth and pregnancy journeys.” To reach new and expectant parents, Blossom has outreach coordinators who work with local hospitals and doulas to make sure people know about the resources that are available. Blossom actively participates in local community building events in Palo Alto.
Live events that engage and inspire parents – “the Baby Whisperer” and more
Dr. Harvey Karp, aka ‘the baby whisperer’ at the Blossom Birth Fair
On Sunday, April 19th, Blossom held its 10th Annual ‘Birth and Family Fair’ at Mitchell Park Community Center, which brought together over 500 families with infants and young children to engage in workshops and connect with the best local pregnancy, parenting resources and vendors in the Bay Area (vendors’ fees for the the fair are one of Blossom’s fundraising methods).
The highlight of the Fair was a talk from renowned pediatrician and child development specialist Dr. Harvey Karp, MD FAAP, dubbed, ‘The Baby Whisperer.’ Dr. Karp, author of The Happiest Baby on the Block, is known for his techniques for soothing fussy babies and help them sleep longer – an answered prayer for any new parent struggling with sleep or lack thereof!
In addition, Blossom has organized the California Avenue Halloween Carnival in partnership with the California Avenue Merchant’s Association and the City of Palo Alto since 2011. The carnival, which has been taking place for over 20 years, features trick-or-treating at participating businesses, carnival games, arts and crafts, and lots of toddler-friendly activities. There’s even a costume contest, judged by Palo Alto’s Mayor! Proceeds raised from the event support Blossom and keep them intimately connected to the babies and families they serve.
And it would make sense that Blossom would celebrate Mother’s Day in a big way. At the upcoming Mother’s Day Open House on Sunday, May 3 at 12:00pm, visitors will enjoy pampering goodies, door prizes, free classes and more.
Local partnerships to build a strong future
Blossom is growing every day with a goal to expand their offerings and better serve underserved populations through the City of Palo Alto Recreation Department, the East Palo Alto
The board at Blossom can barely fit all the activities and resources for parents
YMCA and local businesses in Palo Alto and beyond. They also hope to become an even stronger advocate for maternal care through education and improved services.
Blossom is an invaluable community resource for so many mothers and fathers in the area, with classes scheduled daily, throughout the morning and afternoon, along with evening and weekend sessions to accommodate working parents. It’s a hidden gem with deep roots in the community that is sure to be valued by Palo Alto parents for many years to come.
Check out this VDO about Blossom (VDO courtesy Blossom):
(Photo credits: Aisha Piracha)
