Why I started The Village

Seven years ago I became a parent, and I was caught off guard by how lonely it could be. There were playgrounds, classes, and other families everywhere, and it was still hard to find real community. We all hear that it takes a village. But plenty of us are raising kids far from family, or without the support we assumed would be there. The village is a lovely idea until you go looking for it. I also kept noticing how few places are built for kids and parents at the same time. There’s somewhere for the kids to play and nothing for you. Or you can do something for yourself, but only after arranging childcare. Even a coffee with a friend can turn into a logistics project. I wanted a place where both could exist in the same room.

A place where children can be children and parents can be more than just parents.

You can have a coffee, move your body, get a massage, meet a friend, and feel seen, with your family right there with you.

So I’m building what I wish I’d had, a community for parents and families on the Upper East Side that feels welcoming, familiar, and a little more like home. It starts with a gathering, from babies to big kids, and grows from there, shaped by the people who show up.

It takes a village. Let’s build one.