Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services WIC Program, Northwell LIJ Forest Hills, local elected officials, families and more gather to celebrate the grand opening of the Woodside Baby Café location.
Photo courtesy of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens
During World Breastfeeding Week, Catholic Charities Brooklyn & Queens and Northwell LIJ Forest Hills are celebrating the opening of two Baby Café locations in Queens, which will provide free breastfeeding support and resources.
Both sites operate under the Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services WIC Program, with the Baby Café in Jamaica commemorating its launch with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 4. The following day, the Woodside location opened with a community open house, welcoming families, partners, and neighbors.
The collaboration between the two organizations was rooted in a mutual goal of becoming a licensed Baby Café provider, offering a free, walk-in community space that provides professional breastfeeding support and lactation guidance for new and expecting parents, as mothers can exchange tips and techniques while socializing with others.
To give Queens families even more support, the Baby Café also offers baby weigh-ins as part of its services.
Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services WIC Program, Northwell LIJ Forest Hills, local families and more gather to celebrate the grand opening of the Jamaica Baby Café location.Photo courtesy of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens
“Supporting families doesn’t end when they leave our hospital,” said Lorraine Chambers Lewis, president of Northwell Health Long Island Jewish Forest Hills. “Through our partnership with Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, we’re expanding access to trusted breastfeeding support, education, and community resources where families live.”
Mary Hurson, SVP of Family Services at Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, expresses optimism about the important role the Baby Cafés will play in serving the community.
“We are honored to be selected as a licensed Baby Café agency and thrilled to partner with Northwell Long Island Jewish Forest Hills to provide these services,” she said. “Breastfeeding support can make all the difference for a new parent, and we’re proud to bring these resources directly to the Jamaica and Woodside communities, where families need them most.”
For more information:
The Baby Café in Jamaica is located at 161-10 Jamaica Ave., Suite 304, and runs every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon. They can be reached by phone through Jamaica WIC at 718-657-2580.
The Baby Café in Woodside is located at 42-71 65th Place, and runs every Friday from 10 a.m. to noon. They can be reached by phone through Woodside WIC at 718-715-7001.
Interested individuals can also visit the website at www.ccbq.org.