About Us
We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
Our Mission
To offer comfortable space and knowledgeable support for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and their babies and families, as well as to raise public and community awareness on issues of health, wellness, safety and nutrition through the provision of meals and workshops, maintenance of a community garden, and other community projects.
Our Mission
To offer comfortable space and knowledgeable support for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and their babies and families, as well as to raise public and community awareness on issues of health, wellness, safety and nutrition through the provision of meals and workshops, maintenance of a community garden, and other community projects and, in doing so, minimize maternal stress.
Our Vision
Durham's Maternal Stress-Free Zone envisions improving ultimate health of communities by empowering people to make informed choices about their pregnancy, birth delivery options and milk food source for their newborn infants.
"It's a total community effort,"
- Rev. Diann Holt
By Sharon Cantilon/Buffalo News
By Sharon Cantilon/Buffalo News
Founder & Executive Director
Rev. Diann Holt
Rev. Diann Holt worked for New York State Office of Children and Family Services, as a Children and Family Services Specialist (MG), Minority Group Specialist for 25 years, retiring in September of 2015.
Her education crosses over a myriad of disciplines, she is a Nurse, Health Educator, Community Health Worker (Diabetes and Breastfeeding), a Certified Lactation Counselor, Dona Trained Birth Doula, a Trained Health Phaith Talker, a Social Worker, Chaplain and Minister of the gospel.
In 2003 she organized and started Durham Memorial AMEZ Church Nurses Guild (health teaching ministry) under Pastor Rev. Richard G. Stewart. And, in 2008 she started a Health Ministry known as Operation H.E.A.L (a project which promotes Healthy Eating and Living), a vegetable garden known as the Garden Of Stewardship, which supplies fresh vegetables for Durham’s soup kitchen and now it also supplies fresh veggies to Durham’s Maternal Stress-Free Zone.
Rev. Diann is an ordained Elder of the AME Zion Church. She was ordained a Deacon and then an Elder by The Rt. Rev. Dennis V. Proctor, Presiding Prelate. Her Ministry is operated out of Durham Memorial AME Zion Church. She opened the very first Baby Café of any kind, for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers in New York State on April 4, 2013. Durhams Baby Café's humble beginnings started in the soup kitchen when a young mother was attempting to fed her 3-month-old infant from a tray of food in the soup kitchen. Through this outreach ministry, Rev. Diann has provided services to 1022 infants, their mothers, fathers, siblings, and family supporters and the numbers continue to increase.
Nevertheless, Rev. Holt desires that you know that none of these achievements are about her because they could not have ever been achieved without the Lord, his grace, mercy, love, and favor. As well, she stands on the shoulders of countless numbers of volunteers and supporters.
Board of Directors
Arianna Kwiatkowski
Angela Stewart
Raymonda Anyce Reynolds-Adams
J'Leise Sosa, MD, MPH
Theresa Lemoyne Starks
Lawrence A. Miles
Reverend Diann Holt
Secretary
Honorary Director
Raymonda Anyce Reynolds-Adams
Franklin M. Parmer
Our Supporters
Thank You For Your Dedication & Time. We truly Appreciate all of you!
