‘No parent is meant to do this alone’: My Village Collective builds community for local mothers

Families participate in the Explore + Connect  series, a 4 week long sensory series that stimulates both mom and child.

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

What began as one mother’s struggle to find support in a new town has grown into a grassroots network helping families feel seen, connected and less alone.

Danielle Simpson moved to Paris in 2024 with a five-year-old and a newborn, hoping to find a welcoming circle of parents. Instead, she said she quickly discovered “how isolating and overwhelming parenthood can be when you don’t have a ‘village’ around you.”

That realization became the driving force behind My Village Collective, a community-based initiative designed to bring mothers together during some of their most vulnerable years.

“I wanted to offer families a space to feel seen, supported and connected,” Simpson said. “Ultimately, it was born from a desire to build something rooted in love, trust, and belonging.”

Simpson, a yoga teacher, child and youth worker and former preschool educator, wove her background into a range of programming that combines wellness, play and community building. Baby-and-me yoga, toddler playdate clubs, wellness panels and parent support workshops are hosted at spaces across Brant County and Brantford.

At its core, she said, the mission is simple: connection.

“We aim to nurture connection through thoughtful programming, wellness workshops, play-based learning and inclusive events,” Simpson said. “My Village is about reminding families that none of us are meant to do this alone.”

The organization operates with help from facilitators, ambassadors and local partners, creating what Simpson describes as “a strong web of support.” She credits her husband, Trevor, along with community director and market coordinator Kaitlin, and in-house photographer Jordyn of Timeless Joy Photography, for helping the network grow month after month.

Families attending events often express similar needs: affordable programming, emotional support and a safe space to share the realities of parenthood.

“Many families express a deep desire for connection and a safe space to feel understood,” Simpson said. “People want to feel less alone and more empowered.”

One of the clearest indicators of the collective’s impact comes in messages and small moments of gratitude, she added.

“I’m a mom of two young boys, building this village in the little pockets of ‘free time’ I can find,” she said. “The messages I receive from moms sharing their stories and expressing how this movement makes them feel seen mean more to me than I can ever express.”

A growing part of the initiative is the semi-annual Moms & Minis Family Market, which Simpson launched to bring local families and mom-led businesses under one roof. The next market takes place Sunday, Dec. 14 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Celebration Church, 111 Sherwood Dr Unit 8, Brantford. Admission is $5 per adult, with children under 12 admitted free. The event includes vendors, speakers, children’s activities and community resources, with more than 30 businesses expected to participate. “It’s more than just a shopping event,” she said. “It was meant to celebrate parenthood and connection.”

Vendors are selected based on shared values of community support and family-centred work, which Simpson said helps create long-term relationships between small businesses and local families.

Looking ahead, Simpson hopes to expand programming into other communities and deepen partnerships with local service providers.

“Our long-term goal is to strengthen the village and make support more accessible for every parent who needs it,” she said. “Community networks are essential because no parent is meant to navigate this journey alone.”

Simpson said residents and businesses can support the initiative by attending events, collaborating as vendors or sponsoring programs.

“Everyone has a place here, and every contribution matters,” she said.

My Village Collective is online at www.myvillagecollective.ca and active on Instagram at @myvillage.collective and @myvillage.familymarket.