The Infant Vitality Project

The Infant Vitality Project is an initiative targeting housing efforts and other facets in key neighborhoods within the city of Akron.  The key drivers of infant mortality addressed through our program are low birth weight, preterm birth, smoking, sleep-related factors and the social and economic conditions that contribute to racial disparities.

Our Housing Stabilization Program was developed through research that links high rates of infant mortality, low-birth weight and pre-term births to housing instability in pregnant mothers. Therefore, The Infant Vitality Project strives to provide housing intervention that results in improved maternal and child outcomes, as well as cost savings due to reduced inpatient hospitalization of premature infants and mothers.

The mission of The Infant Vitality Project is to improve the quality of life in Akron through eliminating evictions, neighborhood revitalization, affordable housing and integrated services that uplift the plight of all people. We strive to empower women and families through efforts of stabilization, transportation, education, and inspiration to promote a vibrant, diverse, healthy neighborhood where lives are changed, and babies are brought to full-term. 

The Infant Vitality Project is offered and available to all expectant and new mothers in need of housing. Women and children placed in our program will receive FREE housing (including utilities) and food assistance by meeting the following requirements: 

• regularly meeting with their doulas in accordance with their guidelines  

• maintaining regular meetings with their behavioral health coach

• connecting with a community health worker 

• participating in job-readiness workshops 

For more information, please call (330) 564-5094.