IMPACT
A national movement and network led by young mothers
Why This Work Matters
Nearly two million young parents ages 18 to 24 are raising children in the United States. Many face systemic barriers to affordable childcare, education, economic security, healthcare, and housing. Young mothers—particularly young mothers of color and those affected by public systems—also confront stigma and policies that overlook the complex realities of their lives and families.
But young motherhood is not a limitation, and young mothers are not problems to be solved. Research led by current and former young parents shows that when young mothers have meaningful support, access to opportunity, and the power to shape the systems affecting their lives, they can interrupt harmful cycles within one generation. These investments extend beyond one person: they create opportunities for young mothers, their children, and future generations to thrive.
Justice + Joy’s Approach
Invincible Mamas Pushing for Action and Change Together—or IMPACT—is a national movement and network led by current and former young mothers working to transform the policies, systems, and public narratives affecting young mother-led families.
Together, IMPACT members build community, deepen their advocacy and leadership, shape research, and advance solutions grounded in their lived expertise. They are united by a shared commitment to dismantling oppressive systems and creating safe, equitable, and thriving futures for themselves and the families they lead.
IMPACT in Action
The IMPACT National Advocacy Alliance
Launched in January 2023, the IMPACT National Advocacy Alliance connects more than 170 current and former young mothers and birthing people across more than 40 states, Tribal Nations, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia.
Through monthly community meetings, Learning Lofts, leadership development, and collective advocacy, members deepen relationships, exchange knowledge, and organize around the issues affecting young mother-led families.
Alliance members bring their lived expertise directly to policymakers and national conversations. Their advocacy has included speaking at the White House about mental health, submitting public comments on Title IX, meeting with the White House Gender Policy Council, testifying and participating in policy briefings, and calling attention to inequities in healthcare, child welfare, housing, education, and economic policy.
Young Parents Speak Out
Young Parents Speak Out: Barriers, Bias, and Broken Systems presents findings from research designed and conducted with current and former young parents. Through listening sessions, interviews, and a national survey, 89 racially and ethnically diverse young parents identified the systemic barriers affecting their families and articulated a vision for change.
Their findings affirm the need for policies and programs that recognize young mothers as leaders, address root causes, and invest in the well-being of multiple generations.
Post-Election Policy Priorities
Following the 2024 election, IMPACT convened current and former young mothers for the Post-Election Virtual Summit: Young Mamas Pushing Action for Change Together. Participants named the challenges affecting their families and developed solutions across healthcare, mental health, economic security, education, employment, childcare, and community-based support.
Their analysis and recommendations are captured in Policy Priorities for Young Mothers, a brief created to move young mothers’ lived expertise into policy conversations and public decision-making.
Young Moms at the Center: Questions From the Field
In partnership with Casey Family Programs, IMPACT Leads identify gaps in existing child welfare research, shape critical questions, and develop briefs grounded in young mothers’ lived expertise and analysis.
Health, Wealth + Young Mother-Led Families
IMPACT members are co-designing a national participatory study examining how maternal health and economic mobility intersect in young mother-led families. Through surveys, listening sessions, and collective analysis, young mothers will define these concepts for themselves and develop recommendations for policies that advance their families’ health, security, and opportunities.
There Is a Place for You in IMPACT
Current and former young mothers can join the IMPACT National Advocacy Alliance. Supporters and partners can follow IMPACT to learn from members and stay connected to opportunities for advocacy and collective action.
