Skip To Main Content

Beloved Babies Layette Program

The Layette Program is the cornerstone program of the Society. It has been a constant since our founding over 135 years ago. The Layette Program provides material assistance to babies born to low-income families in the DC area. Many of these parents are faced with the added challenges of poverty, single parenthood, and unemployment. The Layette Program provides material assistance in the form of welcome kits, known as layettes. Each kit contains the essentials every newborn needs: onesies, sleepers, sleep sacks, diapers, baby wipes, children’s books, community resources, educational material, and a handmade blanket. The handmade blankets are the most beloved part of the layette because they are truly gifts of love.

We work with community partners such as hospitals, health clinics, high schools, family support centers, housing programs and day cares to distribute our layettes. In addition to material assistance, we provide literacy programs for children and families, including book distribution and story time.

The Layette Program is one of our most intensely volunteer-driven programs. Over 200 volunteers knit or crochet the handmade baby blankets that are included in the layettes. Regular volunteers come to the office to attach a prayer card and medal to the blankets and collate educational materials. Our guilds pack 500 layettes five times a year. And several schools in the area host diaper and book drives throughout the year. Over 2,000 volunteer hours are dedicated to the program each year.

Adopt a Family Program

In July 2022, the Adopt a Family Program was created to allow the guilds to establish a personal relationship with a Layette Family. Five families were selected to participate in this new program. Potential families are introduced to CCS DC through our relationships with partnering agencies throughout the Greater DC area. Each mother and/or father demonstrates a strong desire to help their children and is motivated to improve their living situation. CCS DC provides monthly assistance with diapers, wipes, and pull-ups, as well as grocery cards every other month. Participating guilds are encouraged to send additional supplies and gifts around the holidays. CCS DC has also helped to provide new beds and mattresses for growing toddlers, assisted with employment referrals, referred to Catholic Charities social workers for domestic violence situations, helped parents enroll in GED programs, and so much more!

Community Partners

A Woman’s Choice, Adelphi Langley Support Center, Adolescent Single Parent Program, Bright Beginnings, Capitol Hill Pregnancy Center, Centro Nia Early Head Start, Children’s National Medical Center, The Family Place, The Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative, HHS Germantown Health Center, Healthy Families Arlington, Healthy Families Montgomery Co., Holy Cross Hospital OB/GYN Clinic, Howard University Hospital, Mary Center, Montgomery County Head Start, Montgomery Co. HHS, SS Health Center, Northwest Center, Northwestern High School, Child Development Center, P.G. County Health Department, Rosemount Center, Sanctuaries for Life, United Planning Organization, Unity Healthcare, Youth Professional Development.

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Knit/Crochet Baby Blankets (Click here to learn how)
  • Deliver Welcome Kits
  • Be a Blanket Buddy (deliver yarn and pickup blankets)
  • Medaling - including medals and prayer cards with the blankets
  • Coordinate Educational Materials - prepare educational material for the layette kits
  • Prepare and Assemble Layette Kits
  • Read to children
  • Sort and deliver donated books

If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out our Volunteer Interest Form.