Breastfeeding Resource Marketplace
Lisa Serebrin
Houston TX USA
From: LEAVEN, Vol. 41 No. 4, August-September 2005, p. 89.
Are you interested in promoting breastfeeding, supporting issues involving nutrition of infants and young
children, and encouraging healthy parenting practices? LatchOn.org is an Internet-based marketplace created to
support breastfeeding and related projects that will make LLL philosophy a reality around the world. People with
resources to give (donors) and people needing these resources for projects (project managers) can connect in the
marketplace.
LatchOn.org is a marketplace for projects consistent with LLL philosophy supporting mothers, babies, nutrition,
and parenting. Here, people around the world meet with a common commitment to nurture the children of the
world.
This marketplace is a community of people, mostly volunteers, who share the common desire to help make a
difference in the lives of mothers and babies throughout the world. Currently, many of the LatchOn.org volunteers
are also connected to LLLI. Over time, the community will grow to include volunteers from organizations with common
interests and projects.
You can help make a difference in the development of this new organization in many ways. You can find a project
that addresses issues that concern you and support that project by making a financial investment. You can tell your
friends about your investment and urge them to do the same. You can offer advice or share your experience with a
project manager. Asking a question that helps the project manager clarify the project goals or its implementation
strategy can attract support from others for the project. You can tell your friends and colleagues about
LatchOn.org, and encourage them to visit the Web site.
LatchOn.org has grown from idea to reality. The LatchOn design team has developed a way to use cutting edge
technology to help more people realize the benefits of the most simple and nontechnical of interactions -- that of
a mother breastfeeding her baby. Not only did the team craft a Web site that is donor friendly, but also easy to
use for those who have projects to propose.
At the 2005 LLLI Conference in Washington DC, USA, LatchOn.org made its debut and people were able to see
firsthand the excitement created by putting those with resources together with those who have projects to make LLL
philosophy a reality worldwide. One project of LatchOn.org is the Lucy Shares project.
Lucy Shares actually made its initial appearance in 2003 at the LLLI Conference in San Francisco, California,
USA. It has been a tremendous success at both Conferences. LLL Groups throughout the world have a need for a Group
Library and for reference books, but have inadequate funds to purchase them. At the Conferences, Leaders were able
to complete "wish lists" at the Lucy Shares table outside the Conference Bookstore. Then, individuals
with resources to share could take a list and go shopping, granting Leaders' wishes while at the Conference.
Leaders were able to take books home to start their Group Libraries. Lucy Shares will continue to help Leaders
through cyberspace on the LatchOn.org Web site.
Anyone can become involved in LatchOn.org. It is free of charge, and all you have to do is complete a simple
registration process using a unique username and your email address.
You can be part of this exciting sharing campaign. For more information, go to www.LatchOn.org or write to info at latchon dot org (email).
Lisa Serebrin lives with her husband, Frank, and children, Dashiell, Julian, Ezra, and Daisy, who are
homeschooled. She has been an LLL Leader since 1995, served as a member of the Drafting Team for the LLLI Renewal,
and is a founding member of LatchOn.org. Lisa writes, "I've done a lot of different things, but motherhood is
the best job ever!"
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:31:09 UTC 2007.
