August 2025 Newsletter

August 7, 2025 | Uncategorized

Community,

We’re more than halfway through the year, and our mission remains as vital as ever.
In the face of a rapidly shifting world—from the rising cost of living to ongoing threats
to reproductive rights and Medicaid—we know that community-rooted,
compassionate care isn’t just valuable, it’s essential.

At Dar a Luz, we believe everyone deserves access to safe, respectful, and
empowering healthcare, no matter their income, background, or insurance status.
Each day, we provide holistic, relationship-based care rooted in love, dignity, and
community. But we need your help to keep going.

First, thank you to everyone who donated last month! With your support, we raised
$300, and every dollar brings us closer to our goal. Your generosity is proof that this
community shows up when it matters most, and we are so grateful.

We rely on both donations and grants to sustain our services, but grant funding is
increasingly limited and highly competitive, and it doesn’t always come through.
That’s why individual donors like you are crucial. Your support helps bridge the gap
and allows us to continue serving families throughout New Mexico.

Our goal is to raise $100,000 by December 31, and we’re counting on this amazing
community to help us get there. Here’s the powerful part:
If everyone reading this gave just $50, we’d meet our goal today.

That’s the beauty of collective impact: every gift, no matter the size, makes a real
difference. Whether you’re able to give $5, $15, or $50, please know that it all adds
up. Your contribution gets us closer to our goal and helps expand access to
midwifery care in a state facing one of the largest maternity care deserts in the US.

Want to make an even bigger impact? Become a monthly donor!
Recurring gifts of any size give us the stability to plan ahead, support our staff, and
keep offering high-quality, whole-person care to families across New Mexico, no
matter what comes our way.

Your donation supports prenatal visits, postpartum care, gynecologic services,
education, and a healthcare model that puts people first.

We’ll keep sharing our progress in each newsletter so you can see exactly how your
support is making a difference.

Join us in building a healthier, more equitable New Mexico:
one birth, one family, and one donation at a time.

With deep gratitude,
The Dar a Luz Team

Donate Here!

DAL Updates

2025 Family Day: DAL-A-PALOOZA!

Join us for our 2025 Family Day on Saturday, Sept. 20th from 1–4 PM at DAL 🌈✨

This FREE community celebration will feature:

🎨 Face painting
🎈 Jumpers
📸 A photo booth
🍕 Food stalls
✂️ Arts & crafts
and so much more!

RSVP and get your free tickets at the button below ⬇️

We’re also inviting local businesses, nonprofits, and community partners to support
the magic! Explore our fun and affordable sponsorship packages (starting at just
$50!) to uplift local families and promote your incredible work.
Your support helps ensure that this event is FREE for every attendee!

Contact gabriela@daraluzbirthcenter.org or respond to this email if you are interested
in being a sponsor or providing an in-kind donation.

RSVP HERE!

Call for Vendors: DAL-A-PALOOZA 2025!

We’re seeking local artisans, performers, small businesses, and community
organizations to participate in this FREE public event.

📅 Saturday, September 20, 2025
🕐 1–4 PM | 📍 Los Ranchos, NM

Be part of the joy by sharing your goods, services, or mission with over 100
attendees in a welcoming, community-centered space!

Vendor Sign Up HERE!

Expansion of Lactation Services!

Dar a Luz is excited to announce the expansion of our lactation services to better
support families in their feeding journeys.

We now offer consultations 7 days a week for anyone needing help with breast,
chest, or bottle-feeding with our expert International Board Certified Lactation
Consultants (IBCLC).

Whether you’re facing issues like low milk supply, nipple pain, pumping challenges,
or preparing to return to work, or your baby is experiencing latch difficulty, weight
concerns, or feeding complications, we’re here to help.

Appointments are 1.5 hours for new clients and 1 hour for follow-ups.

We accept most insurance plans, including BCBS, Presbyterian, United, Molina,
Tricare, GEHA, and ALL Medicaid and Turquoise Health plans.

You can schedule your appointment today by calling or texting us at 505-924-2229,
or by clicking the button below!

Make an appointment HERE!

DAL x Yoga By Julia:
20 Day Yoga Challenge!

Take on the 20-Day Yoga Challenge with Yoga by Julia and support Dar a Luz!

From September 1st–20th, you can enjoy 20 days of yoga for just $20, with online
and in-person classes available at both the Westside and Heights locations!

Best part? When you mention DAL at sign-up, a portion of the proceeds will be
donated to support our care and programs!

Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or just getting started, this is a great opportunity to
stretch, strengthen, and give back.

Join the challenge HERE!

Improved Car Seat Testing Standards

If you have attended one of the Dar a Luz car seat classes, you may remember that
all car seats must pass specific federally-mandated testing standards. Up to now, in
the U.S., that only included testing for frontal-impact crashes.

As of June 30, 2025, all car seats that hold children under 40 pounds must also pass
testing for side-impact crashes. While frontal crashes are more common, side-impact
crashes are more dangerous and often result in more serious injuries.

If you already own a car seat, there’s a good chance it already meets the new
standard as more and more manufacturers have been performing side-impact tests
in advance of this deadline. If so, your car seat may have labels that say so. You can
also contact the manufacturer or check their website for more information. Look for
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 213a.

If your current car seat has not undergone side-impact testing, it is still safe to use as
long as it has not been in a crash and is not expired. You can continue to use your
current seat according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

FMVSS 213a also changes the minimum weight limit for booster seats without an
internal harness. This means children will have to be in a harnessed car seat until
they weigh at least 40 pounds.

For more information:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/nhtsa-improves-child-safety-seat-testing-standards-final-rule-side-impact-protection
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/12/05/2023-26082/federal-motor-vehicle-safety-standards-child-restraint-systems

Help Us Create a Mobile Lactation
Station for Families

We are seeking the donation of an RV to transform into a mobile lactation station that
will be used at Dar a Luz as an additional lactation room.

Your generous donation will directly support breastfeeding families, promote infant
health, and help create a more inclusive, family-friendly community.

If you have a vehicle/portable to donate or know someone who does, please reach
out! We’d love to give it a second life in service of parents and babies.

Contact us by responding to this email

💙 Thank you for your support!

DAL Support Groups

Come build community!

Postpartum & Lactation Support Group
Meets every Wednesday from 9:30 – 11:30 am at DAL

Queer & Trans Parents Support Group
Meets every 4th Sunday of each month from 10 am – 12 pm at DAL

Both support groups are drop-in style. Please sign in upon arrival.

Donate to DAL!

Please consider donating to Dar a Luz to set us up for an impactful 2025! Every
donation has a profound impact on staff and clients alike and allows us to continue
offering our exceptional care to New Mexican families.

You can now donate via PayPal directly through our donor platform, Network
for Good by clicking the button below.

We thank you for your support!

DONATE HERE!

Other ways to donate: