What's UCRJ Working on Now?
Our volunteers' energy and interests drive the work UCRJ engages in throughout the year. This page briefly outlines our on-going projects. Reach out if you'd like to get involved in these projects or if you've got your own idea for a reproductive justice-focused event or project. We are always excited to find new partners!
CU Birth Fund
The CU Birth Fund provides direct financial grants towards doula and homebirth midwife services for expecting pregnant people of color in East Central Illinois. By supporting wrap-around guidance and support throughout the pregnancy and birthing process, the fund will improve care for pregnant and birthing people and help reduce BIPOC perinatal mortality in our community. UCRJ and the CU Birth Fund are grateful to the UC Friends Meeting for a seed grant. Applications are now being accepted: https://www.cubirthfund.org/apply
Free Contraceptives Distribution
UCRJ helps provide emergency contraceptives, condoms, and other safe sex supplies to the community. Local partners include Uniting Pride, Cunningham Township, RACES, and Avicenna Community Health Center. Find out more on our Free Morning After Pills page.
Baby Boxes
Thanks to a grant through the Home Visiting Consortium's Birth to Five program, 250-300 boxes of newborn supplies were provided to new families throughout Champaign County in 2025. This is fantastic news for our community! To make this program sustainable, we hope to build a coalition of partners dedicated to the vision. Contact julie@ucrj.org to get involved!
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Join a UCRJ Collective Committee
The UCRJ Collective is actively recruiting for these committees:
1. Birth Equity committee
2. Reproductive Health Equity committee
3. Finance committee
4. Fundraising committee
5. Communications committee
6. Community Service committee
If you would like to be on a committee, please fill out this google form or email julie@ucrj.org, and let us know your interests. Involvement can range from being a member, active contributor, or organizer. Let’s build community action and momentum. Thank you!
Birth Justice
BIPOC for Better Birth aims to center the experiences of People of Color and build better birthing and parenting communities across Central Illinois. They host Black Breastfeeding Week events and birth & art focused events with the intention of creating space for birthing and parenting communities to come together, reflect, and have fun. BBB also aims to create opportunities for BIPOC folks to become birth workers, such as doulas, midwives, childbirth educators, and herbalists.
Student volunteers and internship opportunities
UCRJ offers volunteer and internship opportunities for students interested in reproductive justice and community organizing. Email inquiries to Julie Laut: julie@ucrj.org.