Parenting is a journey and About Families Inc. wants to walk through it with people.
The local nonprofit, which has long been dedicated to empowering parents, supporting children, and strengthening families throughout the region, is taking a recent grant from Inland Empire Community
Foundation as a major sign of support.
“We are a very grassroots organization that has grown a lot with volunteer and donations-type programs,” said Joanna Boles Whitlow, Founder and Director of About Families Inc. “These grants really help us grow our infrastructure. It’s very beneficial because we are a true community organization.
“The nonprofit started in my bedroom as just a passion project and has grown considerably over the last 14 years,” she added.
Grants and other funding act as major stepping stone to the organization’s broader goals.
“We want to expand further beyond of our community,” Whitlow said, recalling that the drive to launch the organization came from years of recognizing the importance of “connection, community, and how it takes a ‘village’ with parenting.”
“I wanted to offer that support to people, specifically other parents,” she said. “In turn, it’s also grown into offering that connection and community to other professionals serving the parents.”
Whitlow founded About Families Inc in 2012 as a way to fill a gap in accessible, community-driven resources for parents in the Coachella Valley.
The enterprise started small, just a group of families supporting each other through various parenting matters. Nearly 15 years later, the nonprofit has grown into a successful network that serves more than 300 families annually.
The organization’s reach is significant, ranging from prenatal care to preschool.
In the mix are key components, such as peer support. To that end, the nonprofit creates a safe space for shared experiences, which, in turn, can reduce isolation and act as a vital lifeline for parents.
Knowledge-building is equally important here, as it builds confidence and empowers families to make informed choices.
Whitlow stressed that creating connections is a major throughline in the nonprofit. She believes strong relationships strengthen families and establish lasting bonds in the community.
Vital programs create positive ripple effects, too.
The organization offers a wide variety of classes and group meetings to further link education and connection. Workshops and trainings also stand out. About Families’ Birth Doula Training, for instance, gives individuals the tools needed to support families through labor and delivery. A Postpartum Doula Training offers skills to help families during the postpartum period.
Meanwhile, parenting workshops broaden the knowledge for child development.
On the horizon: the 18th Annual Fall Family Festival. The nonprofit’s annual event—set for Nov. 16 this year at Silverrock Event Site in La Quinta—draws families together for a day of food, fun, and meaningful connections. Event proceeds directly support About Families’ programs, ensuring families in the region have access to support year-round.
“What I love most about all this is when I’m able to like sit back and witness connections that were made because of the work that we do,” Whitlow said. “It’s really important, especially for people with little babies. Recently, I saw on social media that three moms who met in our group 14 years ago all went on a family vacation together.
“The three families now live all around the country, but they were together for a reunion from our mom’s group,” she added. “That kind of thing makes me very proud of the work that we do, because those kinds of relationships are invaluable for families.”
Learn more about About Families Inc. at aboutfamiliesinc.com.
This story originally appeared in the Desert Sun, August 2025.
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