Posted on 01.22.2026, Thursday

As we lead up to our 30th anniversary on April 16th, we’re excited to launch our #30for30VoicesofImpact campaign, featuring stories from our partners, programs, and staff! Get to know the voices working towards a stronger and more supportive early childhood ecosystem here in Durham.

Nestled in a corner of the Durham Cooperative Extension, Welcome Baby is a critical resource supporting Durham families since 1987. Through funding from Durham County Government, Durham’s Partnership for Children, and The Duke Endowment, Welcome Baby programs empower families with education, connection, and practical support.

Through free parenting classes, child safety education, and essential resources, Welcome Baby strengthens families and helps young children grow up healthy, safe, and ready to learn. The program is focused on meeting basic needs and supporting families at every step, but especially in a child’s early years.

Parenting classes like Incredible Years, Triple P, and Motheread are free, evidence-based, and available in both English and Spanish. These classes meet parents where they’re at, providing a space to connect and learn.

• Incredible Years: A 14-week, evidence-based program for parents of preschoolers that teaches positive discipline, emotional coaching, and school readiness skills.
• Triple P: A research-based system that helps parents manage behavior, encourage positive routines, and create a calm, confident family environment.
• Motheread: A 10-week literacy and parenting program that uses storytelling and reading to strengthen communication, learning, and family connection.

Additional classes include car-seat safety and breastfeeding support groups.

“We really are a fixture of the community, responding to needs as we see them,” said Patience Mushipe-Mukelabai, Welcome Baby’s Program Manager. That means beyond pre-existing programs, Welcome Baby has consistently found ways to respond to emerging needs in Durham – whether launching a coat drive, opening a drive-through giving closet, collecting formula for new moms, or building out a food pantry during uncertain times.

Over 3,000 families are supported by Welcome Baby each year, and the number continues to grow as needs grow. It truly takes a village to ensure every child has a strong start, but Welcome Baby is up for the challenge. In Patience’s words, for many families across Durham, “We are not just one thing. We are everything.”

Learn more about Welcome Baby at: welcomebaby.org

Written by: Kristen Luft, Community Awareness Manager