Mothers’ Milk Bank California
As we celebrate our milestone 50th anniversary, we are pleased to present this strategic vision—a data-driven blueprint that honors the rich history of Mothers’ Milk Bank California, oldest continuously operating independent nonprofit milk bank in the United States. We aim to educate donors, recipients, and community partners, while calling on our staff and key leadership to leverage their strengths and seize every opportunity to propel the organization, and the milk banking industry at large, forward.
Here at Mothers’ Milk Bank California, we are at a pivotal moment. As we examine the crucial role that human donor milk plays in the health and wellbeing of at-risk babies, we recognize how new technologies and advancements in artificial intelligence are reshaping the industry daily. Our operating protocols continue to evolve as well. Maintaining our high-quality standards and increasing efficiencies requires constant evaluation, ongoing research, and dialogues with key stakeholders.
This strategic new direction represents the collective wisdom and input from many of you. Establishing goals and objectives that closely align with the people and programs that have defined Mothers’ Milk Bank for five decades was critical as we assess our place in this industry now and for the future. We are grateful for the feedback we received and look forward with hope and optimism as we embark on this new chapter in our journey.
Our mission: Advancing health and wellness with safe donor milk
Our vision: A world where human milk is accessible to all, beginning at birth.
Advancing our mission and vision means we are committed not only to measurable goals, but to a set of core values that shape the culture of our team and how we make decisions. These values will help guide our beliefs and behaviors into the future:
Optimism
We have hope in what we do. Our evidence-based approach improves the lives and health outcomes of fragile and at-risk babies. We work tirelessly toward our end goal.
Community
In the early days of Mothers’ Milk Bank, we welcomed local milk donors and their children to drop off milk, socialize, volunteer their time, and build community. Now, in new ways, we try to replicate that sense of belonging, and continue to partner with community organizations to maximize collective impact.
Integrity
We honor the extraordinary gift of time, energy, and care that goes into the milk donation process by being excellent stewards of our product and the people we serve. We want every person or organization that interacts with Mothers’ Milk Bank to be able to say their experience was exceptional.
Quality and Safety
As an accredited Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) milk bank, our diligent intake process helps ensure that milk donors meet standard safety requirements. Then, donor milk is collected, pasteurized, tested and stored according to safety guidelines set forth by HMBANA.
Leadership by example
As we set out to advance the milk banking industry as a whole, we are working diligently behind the scenes to strengthen our operational effectiveness, improve organizational culture, and maintain a staff of collaborative, engaged, creative thinkers.
Customer Care
As the needs of our constituents change and evolve, we will continue to transform the “customer experience,” by being personal, efficient, and consistent in our approach. We will continually seek feedback from donors, recipients, and the community to improve efficiencies and reduce obstacles for donation
Commitment to Equity and Access
We take our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging seriously–not only in how we operate but in who we serve. Human milk donation fulfills a vital role in keeping all babies safe and thriving, and part of that responsibility falls on Mother’ Milk Bank to make it accessible to everyone who needs it. Through potential collaborations with organizations like Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), expansion of hospital partnerships, increased service offerings, an annual charitable fund and the growth of our own collection centers, we will explore new ways to create equitable access to supplies for donors and milk for recipients.
We asked: What are the most pressing and enduring needs of our community that Mothers’ Milk Bank must address in the future?
We heard: Strengthen partnerships, improve breastfeeding rates, normalize milk donation
We asked: How can we ensure our vision is inclusive and addresses the diverse needs of our community, including underrepresented or marginalized groups?`
We heard: Outreach in more languages, remove barriers to access, partner with county hospitals and health departments
We are focusing our future on moving all aspects of our operational model into alignment with our mission, vision, and values. These objectives will shape how we will do that.
Milk Donor Community Building Initiative
Meet the growing need for safe human donor milk
Increased donor recruitment and retention
Advocate to support World Health Organization (WHO)’s recommendation of breastmilk for all babies
Quality Assurance and Compliance
Maintain the gold standard for the milk banking industry
Update safety protocols and quality control measures
Compliance with regulatory standards and guidelines
Equity and Access Initiatives
Make human donor milk equitable and accessible to all
Make the ecosystem of partners and policies work for babies and families that need donated human milk
Develop and/or continue collaborative partnerships
Diversify income streams to be able to invest in access for all
Education and Outreach Campaigns
Address knowledge gaps that are hurting our babies and hindering families’ ability to receive donor human milk
As the oldest continuously operating independent nonprofit milk bank in the United States, we have built a movement of parents, caregivers, healthcare providers, and community advocates who all passionately believe that when it comes to the health and wellbeing of babies, human milk is the ideal food. We will continue to work tirelessly until every at-risk baby in a hospital or outpatient setting has the milk they need to grow and thrive.
Acknowledgements
We thank you for your ongoing support of Mothers’ Milk Bank and all the babies and families who rely on us for lifesaving nutrients.