Are You or Someone You Know Expecting?
Room to Grow is a free program for parents who are having a baby, starting from your third trimester of pregnancy until your child turns three. You will have a caring person to talk to about your baby, you will receive money and new items to help you along the way, and you will be connected to other resources in your community.
If you are pregnant or someone you know is expecting and wants to join, fill out an application below. You can apply on someone else's behalf, or share this page with them. Applying does not guarantee there is a spot in the program. Our team will reach out and let you know if you have been accepted 2-3 months before your baby’s due date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible?
Expecting families of all types are welcome to apply. We enroll families who are eligible for other benefits, such as SNAP, WIC, TANF, etc. There are no requirements around age, marital or relationship status, or number of children. Currently, the program is offered in English and Spanish.
Where is our program offered?
Room to Grow has Family Centers in Boston and New York. See our Contact Us page for more details.
Can families enroll after their baby is born?
No, our program is designed so that a family's first visit occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy, before their baby is born. Expecting parents should apply before the start of their third trimester.
Does submitting an application guarantee enrollment in the program?
We try to accept as many expecting families as possible, but sometimes families are not accepted to join the program because of limited capacity. After applying, families can expect to hear about enrollment decisions in the third trimester of pregnancy.
What’s involved in the three years of the program?
Parents and caregivers have their first visit during their last trimester of pregnancy. From there, they meet one-on-one with program staff every three months until their children turn three. Each visit is two hours long and is held at one of our Family Centers in Boston or New York.
During the first half of the visit, families and program staff talk through the challenges and joys of early parenthood, discuss their children's development, and brainstorm strategies and resources that support family goals. The second half of the visit is a space for connection: families spend time reading, playing, and getting to know other parents and caregivers, and pick out new items when available.
Where do Room to Grow visits take place?
Parents and children meet with program staff at Room to Grow Family Centers for all 13 visits.
