Happy February!
We are getting settled into our new routine here at the Birth Circle and hope the new year is treating you all well so far! We have a lot of exciting events to look forward to in 2018; in addition to our regular monthly events we are in the process of planning our annual Pregnancy and Baby Fair in April and will soon be rolling out our revamped Prepared Mommy Camp generously funded by the Athens Foundation. As the result of discussion with our community partners and past participants, in 2018 the Camp will consist of a series of monthly workshops rather than one full week and we are looking forward to the new challenge. The Camp is open to pregnant mothers and new mothers under age 23 and seeks to build a community of support as we learn and share experiences about all things pregnancy, birth, and baby. If you would like more information about or would like to volunteer for either program please contact us! We are also seeking donations for Camp of unopened packs of diapers (any size) and other new baby items and board books.
Ariel Carver
Executive Director, The Birth Circle
director@athensbirthcircle.com
Young Moms’ Group
Date and Time to be announced, stay tuned on our Facebook page!
We hope to gather later this month for some play and socializing, we hope to see you there!
Monthly Meeting
Wednesday February 28th, 7pm at the Athens Library
Because of renovations happening in the meeting room, we will be having our February meeting in the children’s section of the Athens Library.
Come for a fun exploration of one of the most amazing human organs—the placenta! Join Erica Andrews of Laughing Moon Midwifery as we discuss what the placenta does, how it does it and then take a “tour” of this incredible organ. Erica will also discuss placenta encapsulation and provide a quick overview of the process. We will also open the floor for folks to share their experiences, ask questions and help provide answers.
Our sponsor for this month’s meeting is the Buckeye Trail Association:
The Buckeye Trail Association has been the leader in building, maintaining, protecting and promoting Ohio’s 1,400+ mile state trail since 1959. The BTA is a membership based, volunteer driven, nonprofit organization with our intergalactic headquarters in the historic Village of Shawnee, nestled in the Athens Unit of the Wayne National Forest. The blue blazes of the Buckeye Trail guide hikers from Burr Oak State Park, through the Wayne NF, and through the heart of the Hocking Hills on the Grandma Gatewood Trail on their way around Ohio creating the largest loop trail in the country. We are encouraging the next generation of young families to become BT hikers, members and volunteers enjoying the outdoors on Ohio’s state trail. Our largest annual event, Buckeye TrailFest, will be at Camp Oty’Okwa in the Hocking Hills this year April 25-29 and we have created a day of family friendly programming on April 28 that we would like to invite the Athens Birth Circle to. Please check out www.buckeyetrailfest.org. Hope to see you on the Trail!
Andrew Bashaw
Executive Director
Buckeye Trail Association
director@buckeyetrail.org
The 10th Annual Pregnancy & Baby Fair
Saturday, April 28th, 10 AM – 2 PM
Athens Community Center
701 E. State Street, Athens, Ohio 45701
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The Birth Circle invites you to an amazing event, where families can meet healthcare professionals, midwives, doulas, childcare providers, photographers and other local service agencies while shopping for local items and national brands. We’ll have dozens of vendors with essential goods for the childbearing years, demonstrations, as well as information about local services. This event is FREE and open to the public. Mark your calendar for a fun-filled day of building community and exploring your local pregnancy, baby and family resources!
We would love to have your help with the 2018 Pregnancy & Baby Fair! You can volunteer your time, donate a raffle prize, or decide to be a sponsor for our event. Click here to fill out our 2018 Online Donation and Sponsorship Form.
Vendor registration will be opening soon. Please check back!
For questions and more information, please contact us at athensbirthcircle@gmail.com or visit our Pregnancy & Baby Fair page.
Loss Support Group
Thursday, March 1st
6:30pm
Central Avenue Church, 73 Central Ave., Athens
If you are in need of support because of a pregnancy loss or the loss of your child, you are welcome to join us every first Thursday of the month for this support group. These meetings are free and facilitated by a professional social worker. All family members, such as grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles, as well as friends are welcome. Childcare is provided.
Meals for Families (formerly Meals For Moms)
Let The Birth Circle community cook for you! If you’ve just had a baby, if you are going through another type of transition in your family, or have experienced a loss, The Birth Circle is more than happy to organize a meal calendar to help support you. If you are interested in receiving meals, providing meals or both, please contact our Meals For Families Coordinator, Ariel Carver at arielrose.carver@gmail..com for more information.
