Community Roots Collective: Empowering families and helping them grow through education, resources, and love.

What initially began with a passion for midwifery, birthed Community Roots Collective. Community Roots Collective empowers families and recognizes that raising children is a shared effort. Many of founder Charlie Young’s clients at Barefoot Birth, were afraid of what came after their children were born. She saw a need for a place where mothers could seek support with not only prenatal care, but also breastfeeding assistance, community events, and education. She created Community Roots Collective to fill that void.

The Collective

The collective consists of various for-profit entities which share space under the same roof. With added donations from the public, Community Roots Collective is able to offer many vital services to families in Tampa Bay. The calendar is always full and most events and services are no cost or by donation. There are also lactation support services available at any time for anyone struggling with breastfeeding.

Resources for Families

On Thursdays from 10:00am-12:00pm, Community Roots Collective hosts a New Mom’s group. This is an opportunity for parents to gather in an informal space and seek guidance and support. All caretakers and their children are welcome to come and join the discussion of the celebrations as well as struggles of the postpartum period. Community Roots Collective also places an emphasis on health and friendship. They host weekly walks at Riverwalk on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:00-9:00 am. There is no registration or fees required and all caregivers are welcome. Expectant parents can take advantage of the Prenatal Breastfeeding or Home Birth Support groups. The monthly calendar can be accessed at http://barefootbirth.com/communityrootscollective/

Teaching Children About Social Justice

Focusing on the idea that children should be aware of social justice issues, Community Roots Collective hosts a monthly story time. Geared towards children from birth through eight years old, the one hour story time and activities focus on subjects such as LGBT issues, racial justice, differently abled people, and more. Stories are all checked out from the Hillsborough County Public library and accessible to all families. Community participation is welcome, and anyone interested in being a reader can contact the roots directly at [email protected].

Infant Loss Awareness Walk

The largest annual event that Community Roots Collective hosts is a walk in honor of Infant Loss Awareness month. The event will take place on Saturday, October 13th from 6:00pm -8:00pm at Cotanchobee Fort Brook Park. For the 2nd year, grieving families will gather at the Riverwalk to be surrounded in love and support by their community. There will be an art project, a one-mile remembrance walk and a flower release at sunset.  The event is open to the community. Tickets are $10 for walkers, with all proceeds benefiting the local chapter of Aiding Mothers Enduring Neonatal Death (AMEND) and can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2nd-annual-pregnancy-infant-loss-awareness-family-walk-tickets-45617070887