Community News
100 River Babies Looks at the First Years of Life
By Vikki Miller
About 100 babies are born each year in the Lower Russian River area. What happens during their first five years can have a lasting effect on their health and development, particularly for families facing poverty, housing insecurity, substance use, isolation or other sources of stress.
About three years ago, West County Health Centers, Guerneville Elementary School and River to Coast Children’s Services (RCCS) began working together on a broader effort known as Project 100. That collaboration has grown into 100 River Babies, a community effort focused on connecting families with the people, programs and resources already available in the Lower Russian River.
Dr. Jason Cunningham, CEO of West County Health Centers, is involved with the project. He says the health center serves approximately 13,000 patients, many of whom live at or below poverty levels.
The project focuses particularly on the years from birth through age five, when prolonged stress can affect a child’s development and health. The goal is to identify challenges families are experiencing and connect them with support.
“Looking into the family is where it starts,” Cunningham says.
That approach recognizes that a child’s health is connected to what is happening at home and in the community. Families may be dealing with food insecurity, substance use, limited support, housing concerns or difficulty navigating available services.
River to Coast Children’s Services has been a key partner from the beginning, helping build the community network envisioned by Project 100 and 100 River Babies. As a Family Resource Center serving families throughout Western Sonoma County, RCCS connects families with resources, referrals, basic needs assistance, child care support and parent education. RCCS also helps families navigate services and connect with support in a welcoming setting.
Its involvement has expanded into programs developed through the Project 100 collaboration. With support from Project 100, RCCS opened a free bilingual Kindergym program in Monte Rio, giving young children and their parents or caregivers a place to play, learn and build relationships while connecting with community resources.
Guerneville Elementary School is also an important part of the effort. The school has been involved since the collaboration began, helping connect the project with local children and families. The Pharmacy Cart, which provides free fresh produce at the school for families and the larger community, is one example of bringing resources directly into a place families already know.
Other programs have developed through the community network. West County Community Tables works to increase access to healthy food. Sponsored by the Russian River Chamber of Commerce, the program provides seed funding to local restaurants so they can offer free meals to people experiencing food insecurity. Since June 1, 2026, participating restaurants have provided $3,415 worth of Chamber funded meals.
River Family Cafe is another example. Held the second Tuesday of each month from noon to 2 p.m. at the Russian River Resiliency Center, 16585 First Street in Guerneville, the gathering offers families with young children a healthy meal, fresh produce, basic needs items, activities and opportunities to connect with other families and local resources. From March through August 2026, six events brought together 34 families and an anticipated 64 guests, with 16 community volunteers helping support the gatherings.
The effort also includes One Tiny Thing, a monthly program encouraging parents to make small, positive changes that strengthen family relationships.
Many organizations already serve Lower Russian River families. Project 100 and 100 River Babies are not intended to create another system of services, but to strengthen the connections among the people, organizations, programs and resources already in the community.
For families seeking assistance, including Spanish speaking families, contact River to Coast Children’s Services at (707) 869-3613 or visit 16300 First Street in Guerneville. For more information about 100 River Babies and One Tiny Thing, visit riverbabies.org or contact Karen Mitchell at kmitchell@wchealth.org.
The goal is simple: connect families with support, strengthen the community and give every child a better opportunity to thrive.