Our Work
PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH
Uplifting the experience and expertise of directly impacted people.
Families Belong Together, Families Demand Repair
Families Belong Together, Families Demand Repair is BLU’s first participatory research project, working to co-create a framework for reparations for families harmed by family policing. In partnership with City University of New York’s Family Defense Clinic, we hosted a reparations convening—bringing together over 60 participants, including 45 individuals with lived experiences–to explore critical topics such as carceral systems, foster care, substance use, mental health, mandated reporters, and domestic violence. We also conducted focus groups and surveys, gathering invaluable insights from over 1,000 registrants and 200 survey responses.
The convening's findings will inform policy recommendations and lived-experience-centered campaigns, and form the foundations of a broader campaign for reparations in New York.
FAMILY DEFENSE ADVOCACY
Taking a community-centered approach to strengthening family defense infrastructure in New York State.
Holistic Family Defense Advocacy Intensive
BLU is designing a curriculum to empower people who work in legal agencies with the interdisciplinary skills and legal knowledge required to serve as effective advocates at family defense organizations across New York State.
COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
Facilitating parent-led organizing teams to reduce family policing and build new approaches to preventing and addressing harm.
Informed Consent Campaign
BLU is a steering committee member of Informed Consent New York, a coalition of people directly impacted by the family policing system, organizers, activists, doulas, physicians, and other advocates seeking to end the surveillance and criminalization of perinatal people who use substances.
MOVEMENT BUILDING
Building spaces of collective power, healing, and support.
Community Events
BLU champions the welfare of families through community events like our inaugural community baby shower, rallies, and walks for justice.