Doula and teen pregnancy shelter

urlovingdoula87 · 11-16-2009, 03:24 AM

Hello Ladies!

Today at Church my pastor came up to me and asked me if i would like to volunteer for this Staff House in my community http://www.staffhouse.org/ and i said yes. This is a "shelter" for abandoned pregnant teens that have no family or no support at all.

The last birth i assisted was this year in May, still don't have my certification package for DONA finished.. So i thought this could benefit me and the girls as well...

I'm very excited and might be posting more and more as i get a yay or nay on this

rdurland · 11-29-2009, 01:41 PM

I have been working with teens in a shelter both as a doula and teaching then childbirth education. I absolutely love it and have gotten more out of it then i ever expected. the big surprise has been how quickly they opened up to me and let me into their world. they just need to be loved and supported! I hope you get as much as I have from working with teens.
Best of luck

bailey · 03-02-2010, 09:05 AM

THIS is what I ultimately would like do. I am offering my services free to youths right now, but I live in a small town so we have no center or programs. I had my first child when I was 16 and would have benefited GREATLY from a doula.

DoulaMegz · 03-02-2010, 12:47 PM

What a GREAT program!

golden pregnancy · 03-02-2010, 06:21 PM

Nice!
Keep us posted.

delvinson · 04-15-2010, 10:37 PM

Sounds like you're having an experience like mine. I was training with DONA when I started working with teens in a shelter as well. It was such a fulfilling experience. The teens come from many different backgrounds (and scenarios), but the thing they all have in common is they want to feel a sense of control and respect. Show them you respect them and don't become another authority figure and they will embrace your teachings. Hopefully you get the go-ahead (I'm sure you will) and please keep us posted on your progress.

Also, it would be great if we could compare lesson plan notes and tips on what works well for our groups. I've had some sessions where I could tell they were a little on the bored side, and others where we had a blast. My email is bellytobirth@gmail.com

Afterglow · 05-10-2010, 04:16 PM

Sounds amazing! I would love to get involved with a program like that... I love the idea of helping teens!

Good luck and keep us posted on your adventures...

NurturedBellyDoula · 05-10-2010, 05:42 PM

i also would love to get in a program like this. I'm waiting to see if I can volunteer with pregnant women in jail. I need to email her again.

DoulaMegz · 05-10-2010, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NurturedBellyDoula

i also would love to get in a program like this. I'm waiting to see if I can volunteer with pregnant women in jail. I need to email her again.

You should go to them with information about women's prison doula programs. there is one in Washington state that we used as a benchmark to start our program here, Isis Rising (which is still in it's infancy).

LovinMomma · 05-12-2010, 10:22 AM

Sounds great! I am planning on offering my services free of charge while doing my certification to teens. I will also continue to do free services as much as I can, but will be doing this as my primary income eventully.

I think the teens need it most. Often they have no partner or a non-supportive one, and often the teens parents are very un-happy about the situation, these girls can be feeling so alone and scared. I want to help all of them!

Us Doulas are the best! XO

DoulaRuth · 05-12-2010, 11:25 AM

That is so fantastic!!! What a huge blessing for you and for the young mothers!!!!

Afterglow · 05-13-2010, 08:51 PM

Ok so this post inspired me!! I contacted a local teen pregnancy contact and asked if they would take me... I have an interview on Monday! I'm so excited

I would love to be able to help them out... here's to hoping

AngieDoula · 07-02-2010, 03:33 PM

Very inspiring indeed. Please keep us posted. There are SO many pregnant teens and young single mothers in my town. I'm trying to figure out a way that I can support them (all if I could!) and still make at least a few dollars to put back into the business for tools and such.

Doulamoon · 07-07-2010, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngieDoula

Very inspiring indeed. Please keep us posted. There are SO many pregnant teens and young single mothers in my town. I'm trying to figure out a way that I can support them (all if I could!) and still make at least a few dollars to put back into the business for tools and such.

You could raise money with coffee mornings etc or you could say to the girls your setting up a fund for people like them and if they know any one who might donate could they suggest businesses or people who helpped them. Kind of like I help you give me a suggestion of who can help me to help others in your situation.

Or the girls themselves could help you run a teen to teens group at local schools and the girls could ask the school to donate to the cause!

liberty4all · 07-28-2010, 08:37 AM

This is exactly what I want to do!