by Leslie Lytle | Oct 1, 2018 | Community, Nonprofit Development
As I dig for wild orchids in the autumn fields, it is the deeply-bedded root that I desire, not the flower. IZUMI SHIKIBU (974-1034) translated by Jane Hirschfield with Mariko Aratani As leaves begin to fall and the holiday season approaches, my thoughts turn to what...
by Leslie Lytle | Jul 5, 2018 | Breastfeeding, Community
Nurture is pleased to announce that we have received a two-year, $60,000 Healthy Communities Action Team grant from the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth. The grant will support the work of #RVAbreastfeeds, a coalition that seeks to reduce childhood obesity...
by Leslie Lytle | Mar 19, 2018 | Birth, Community, Early Parenting
UPDATE/ April 19, 2018: This article originally posted in mid-March. Please read to learn more about what we’re up to with this project, then fill out this Google Form if you’d like us to reach out to you. Thank you!...
by Leslie Lytle | Nov 19, 2017 | Postpartum, Pregnancy, Uncategorized
Your body has an amazing capacity to adapt itself for pregnancy and birth. As the hormones of pregnancy relax the connective tissue throughout your body, your joints, including those in your pelvis, become more mobile. This is a good thing for birthing a baby. But it...
by Leslie Lytle | Nov 2, 2017 | Community, Nonprofit Development
Recently I set out for my first overnight hike in over 25 years with my son, taking only what we could carry on our backs. Going into the wilderness requires some advance preparation: take a map, wear good shoes, pack enough but not too much. Once on the path, be...
by Leslie Lytle | Sep 7, 2017 | Community, Nonprofit Development
UPDATE, November 10, 2017: On October 31 Nurture completed a strategic planning process, resulting in the approval of our 2017 – 2020 Strategic Plan. During the planning process, we realized that the way we’d been going about the Community Directory...
by Leslie Lytle | Jul 31, 2017 | Community, Nonprofit Development, Pat Asch Fellowship
Last year I (Leslie Lytle) was thrilled to be able to deepen my understanding of circle process, racial and social justice, and perinatal support programming for marginalized citizens through the Pat Asch Fellowship for Social Justice. Each training I attended felt...
by Leslie Lytle | May 30, 2017 | Community
Giving birth is only the start. I’ve known this for some time now. In my previous professional “chapters” as a prenatal massage therapist, yoga teacher, and doula, daily interactions with my clients and students afforded me insight into the needs of RVA’s prenatal...
by Leslie Lytle | Dec 2, 2016 | Community, Early Parenting, Postpartum
At any given time hundreds of Richmond teenagers are facing the challenges of pregnancy. In addition to pregnancy’s inherent difficulties (exhaustion, anxiety. . . you know the list), these girls’ burden often includes shame, poverty, and violence. Friends of Nurture...
by Leslie Lytle | Sep 30, 2016 | Community, Nonprofit Development
On September 1st, Nurture arrived at the halfway point of our 2017 fiscal year. We thought it might be a good time to review what we’ve been up to and what we’ve accomplished during that time. Because we are a young nonprofit, reaching our goals requires...
