Free Black Maternal Peer Support Washington, DC | Mamatoto Village
Mamatoto Village is a Black woman-led perinatal support organization in Washington, D.C., offering free culturally congruent peer support and wraparound services to Black mothers and families across the District — with particular focus on Wards 7 and 8, where access to maternal health care has historically been most limited. Founded in 2013 and based in Ward 7, Mamatoto Village pairs peer support with care coordination, labor and breastfeeding support, social support, counseling, and food access.
What to Expect
Throughout pregnancy and for the first six months of a child’s life, mothers receive a comprehensive, culturally empathetic package of services — including peer social support, health education, care coordination, breastfeeding and labor support, counseling, grocery delivery, and warm referrals to partnering health centers and community-based social services. Mothers are paired with trained perinatal community health workers (many of whom have been through Mamatoto’s own workforce development program and are themselves Black mothers from the community) for ongoing peer support and home visiting. There is never a fee, and services are designed around what mothers actually need rather than what insurance will reimburse.
Who This Group Is For
Black mothers and birthing people in Washington, D.C., particularly those living in under-resourced areas of the District. Pregnant people, new mothers up to six months postpartum, and family members are all served. Mamatoto Village is intentionally designed for Black women by Black women, addressing the racial disparities in U.S. maternal health outcomes that have made D.C. one of the highest-risk metros in the country for Black maternal mortality.
Why Peer Support Works
For Black mothers navigating a maternal health system that has historically failed them, having a peer community health worker who looks like them, lives in their community, and has walked a similar path changes the relationship to care. Mamatoto Village has maintained a 0% maternal mortality rate among its clients over its first decade — outcomes their cofounders attribute directly to culturally rooted peer-led support. Many mothers stay connected to Mamatoto Village beyond the formal services period, returning as alumni and sometimes as workforce-development trainees themselves.
How to Join
To learn about enrollment, current programs, or to inquire about workforce development opportunities, visit mamatotovillage.org. Mamatoto Village’s main center is in Ward 7 and they also do home visiting across the District. The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is also available 24/7 at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262), in English and Spanish. Mamatoto Village also runs emergency food access programming and is partnered with DC Health and major area hospitals to extend its reach.