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Dear Friends,
This month, we want to offer appreciation for all the men in our families, and in our lives. Thank you, Dads! And thank you to the uncles and grandfathers, mentors and friends who support our clients, our families, and our children.
Sincerely,
Rachel Abramson
Executive Director |
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DADS and DOULAS | | |
Ramon Martinez
Amor de Madre - Migrant Health Promotion
Weslaco, Texas
My name is Ramon Martinez and I have a 3-year-old girl. My wife breastfed our little girl until she was 2 years old. Yes, I attended the birth of my child.
Our doula was very supportive and she made me feel very comfortable. I never knew women went through all that to give birth, but our doula Elva made my wife feel less pain. I will never forget when I saw our beautiful baby girl come out and I got to cut the cord and have her in my arms. I shared my experience with my mother when I called her in Mexico - and she was so proud of me because my father never went in with her when she had us. She confessed to me that she didn't think I would make it, but I told her that Myra and I had been blessed by having a doula. I was very happy and emotional when I first held my daughter. I felt me and my wife became closer during those four hours of labor.
I was very proud of her because she was following all the recommendations our doula had given us during our platicas (education sessions). She would talk to us about all the benefits that breastfeeding would give my baby. And after having my beautiful baby girl in my arms, I wanted the best for her. I would get up in the middle of the night and bring the baby to my wife so she could breastfeed. I would also bring her water, like my doula would tell us.
What would I say to a new father about breastfeeding? I would tell them to support their wife, and that breast milk is very healthy for the babies. Babies also become stronger. I can see the difference between my nephew and my daughter who was breastfed. My little girl is stronger and very bright and my nephew is also cute, but he is very thin and gets sick often.
I have enjoyed everything about being a father, but most of all being with my wife in the delivery room and seeing my baby born and holding her in my arms. I always encourage everyone to have a doula, because this service really helped me and my wife become more close to each other and learn a lot together.
Click here to read more dad stories on our website.
Editor's Note: Migrant Health Promotion has worked for over 25 years to help farm workers and border communities live healthy lives, by training Promotores(as) de Salud to be leaders in their own communities. Migrant Health Promotion's Amor de Madre program has provided doula support services for seven years to pregnant women living in rural colonias of Cameron County, Texas, and is one of six federally funded community-based doula programs. Thank you to Ramon Martinez, and the Amor de Madre staff, for your generosity in sharing this story. Happy Father's Day! |
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Community-Based Doulas in DC | | |
Atlanta - Beloit - Seattle
 | | c Sandy Schaeffer, 2011 |
We are excited to report that HC One and our community partners held two very successful meetings in Washington D.C. last month. With Administrator Mary Wakefield, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and some key HRSA staff, we discussed the impact of community-based doula programs across the country and explored ways to integrate community-based doulas into HRSA programs. Later, Joan Lombardi, Deputy Assistant Secretary and Inter-Departmental Liaison for Early Childhood Development/Administration for Children and Families, and her staff hosted a meeting for Home Visiting, Headstart, Administration of Children and Families, and other agency staff on the community-based doula program, where we looked at how we can jointly support community-based, peer-to-peer home visiting programs.
We are deeply appreciative of all who shared their stories, strategies and expertise to make these meetings possible -- especially the community partners who joined HC One staff for these meetings:
§ Hanifah Rios, G-CAPP (Atlanta, GA)
§ Connie Robers, Executive Director, Rock-Walworth Comprehensive Family Services, Head Start and Early Head Start (Beloit, WI)
§ Sheila Capestany, Executive Director, Open Arms Perinatal Services (Seattle, WA)
Every step of the way, HC One's work is collaborative. We need you!
If you would like to participate in HC One's National Community-Based Doula Network, please click here. We host quarterly conference calls, and provide guidance on advocacy efforts to build and sustain community-based doula programs around the country.
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HC One Reception at DONA | | |
 July 22, 2011 - Friday - 5:30 p.m.
Boston, Massachusetts
During DONA Conference
Join HealthConnect One staff and community partners for a special reception at this summer's DONA Conference! Network, see old friends, learn about community-based doula struggles and successes around the country. Enjoy a quick snack. Have some fun!
 Please RSVP to Tikvah Wadley at twadley@healthconnectone.org.
Photos by Sandy Schaeffer, 2011
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| 25th ANNIVERSARY SPRINT | |
Did you know that HC One will be celebrating our 25th Anniversary soon? Make a donation and help us kick off our 25th year!
Everyone who makes a donation before June 30th will be entered to win prizes throughout our 25th year anniversary celebration (July 1, 2011- June 30, 2012). These prizes could be 2 free tickets to HC One's Anniversary Celebration(s), a free registration for our 6th National Conference, travel certificates, HC One designed mothers day card packs, museum passes, new mom gift packs, restaurant gift cards or so much more!
Make your donation today.
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