Voices of Tomorrow’s Mind, Body, and Culture program is the first of its kind to integrate home visits with trauma-informed therapy. The two-year pilot phase of the MBC program, which is aimed at families and children from birth to age 3, finished with notable successes in assisting families and enhancing parent–child connections. This ground-breaking initiative gave over a thousand resources to families which provided critical support, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. These resources included necessities like diapers, wipes, strollers, car seats, and winter clothes.

Since its inception, it has demonstrated its value in treating mental health and creating resilient families. So far, more than 60 families have received assistance from the MBC program, building a community of parents through its “Promoting First Relationships” curriculum. Beyond verbal communication, the MBC program helps parents build stronger bonds with their young children. The program also offers parents activities and suggestions to include and encourage for their older children, extending its reach to older siblings in East African immigrant and refugee households.

The MBC program’s impact extends beyond children. One of its most remarkable accomplishments to date is its commitment to helping parents pursue their educational and career aspirations. Many parents signed up for the fall semester of school, and the program assisted them with FAFSA and the application process. Through their efforts to help parents in addition to children, the MBC program opens doors of opportunity and success for the entire family.

Another way that the MBC program fosters a close-knit community is that it allows parents to engage in an open dialogue about the issues and shared experiences that affect them. The program demonstrates Voices of Tomorrow’s dedication to respecting and understanding various cultural backgrounds through health-related topics, like making wise decisions during Ramadan.

During the two-year pilot phase, home visitors continued their efforts to link families with resources and pathways to stability despite having to contend with busy schedules and parents returning to school or work. The program’s flexibility allows parents to request help with everything they need, assuring a customized strategy to handle their circumstances.

VOT is devoted to helping families even throughout the summer as the staff move into their planning phase. The MBC program is structured around the family, devoting an hour to meetings with parents, with the first half concentrating on establishing the first connections. The remaining time is spent addressing any unique requirements parents may have and creating a secure and encouraging atmosphere.

By surveying families at the beginning of the program, the MBC team is able to monitor changes and advancement throughout time, highlighting the program’s success in fostering positive improvements in families’ lives.

Voices of Tomorrow’s MBC program is committed to enhancing and expanding the influence it has on local families. The program’s effectiveness and ongoing demand for its services have encouraged its continuous development to guarantee that East African immigrant and refugee families continue getting the resources and help they deserve.