“Not only am I trying to build my village to make sure my kid is good, I also want to know that while I’m being helped by others, I’m helping someone back. I’m giving back as well in that same type of way.”
Briana Jones is the mother of 6-year-old Briell, living in Rochester, New York. Briana has always had a nurturing spirit. She grew up taking care of her siblings, nieces, and nephews. Briana’s extensive experience nurturing children came in handy when she gave birth suddenly and unexpectedly.
Even though Briana considers her daughter’s birth to be a blessing, it came as a shock because Briana did not know she was pregnant until she was giving birth. However, Briana did not let her surprise deter her from being an engaged and supportive parent. She learned how to rely on her family and friends for support and seek out assistance from her community. Briana embodies every word of her favorite motto, “It takes a village,” in her parenting. Briana is grateful for the opportunity to help other parents with children navigate “the unexpected” like she did.
Currently, Briana is working as a water distribution technician for the city of Rochester. She is also a Girl Scout troop leader and a member of multiple organizations within her local school system to help promote a better education system for her daughter and other students. Briana is currently pregnant with her second child and is due to give birth on September 22, 2024.
Read the blog post from program associate Mike White on rwjf.org to learn more about how RWJF is prioritizing and responding to parent and caregiver voices.
