2019 has been a building year for the Birth Circle – our board of directors is mainly new in the last twelve months, and following a board retreat this summer is energized and ready to jump into new projects as well as those that have been on the back burner. Our newly formed Communications Committee is hard at work revamping our promotional materials, media, and channels for community outreach. And we have had the opportunity to build new partnerships with other community organizations such as Hopewell Health Center and the Pregnancy Resource Center, which will allow us to continue to expand the quality and content of our program through additional resources and people power. We would love to keep this momentum and growth going into 2019, and we need the help of generous people like you whose lives and families have been touched in some way by the work that we do here at the Birth Circle. Our goal is to raise $5000 by the end of 2019.
We have a lot going on! We strive to be responsive to the needs of our members and community. This year the need became apparent to include young fathers in our growing Prepared Mommy Camp program, which we plan to rebrand next year as Prepared Parents Workshop as we strive to be more inclusive and supportive of all parents. With the help of the Fatherhood Coaching program through the Pregnancy Resource Center, we have added Father to Father support specifically for dads, as well as including them in many of our existing sessions covering infant development and safety and supporting a pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum partner. We also have several mothers and grandmothers attending in families in which they are the primary support person.
We also strive to continue the founding principles of the Birth Circle by sharing stories of birth, postpartum, and parenting experiences and supporting each other as parents working to make the most informed choices for the good of our families.
Please consider how you can help us continue to respond to the needs of growing families in our area with relevant programs based on education and a community of support. The financial and volunteer requirements of facilitating all of these programs, in addition to being able to support new needs that come to light, are substantial. Every dollar you contribute or hour you volunteer your time is worth far more than its face value to the mothers and families who come to us seeking a safe place of support. Thank you for all you do to support this work through the Birth Circle!
Want a secure and easy way to support the Birth Circle
You can donate online on our website –
Just click on the “Donate” button and follow the link
to make your contribution through PayPal. Thank You!
Ariel Carver
Executive Director, The Birth Circle
director@athensbirthcircle.com
740-652-6262
Loss Support Group
Thursday, November 7th, 6:30 pm
Central Avenue Church, 73 Central Ave., Athens
If you need 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 provided.
Family Walks
Tuesday, November 12th, 5:30 pm
The Market on State, 1002 E State St, Athens, OH 45701
Join Birth Circle member Rebecca and her family for our monthly walk. Bring your family or just come on your own for some socializing and a bit of exercise! Meet from 5:15-5:30 PM inside the Athens University Mall and walk from 5:30-6:30 PM. Please indicate if you are coming to the event so that we know to wait for you! Hope to see you there!
Mom’s Night Out
November 14th, at 7 pm
Join us at Casa Nueva for a lovely night out!
Mark your calendars – and your partners and babysitters too – A relaxed time for moms to get together and socialize. Live Music! We hope to see you there!
Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, November 20th, 7 pm
Athens Public Library, 30 Home St. Athens
This is the third Wednesday due to Thanksgiving!
This will be a joint meeting with La Leche League to answer all your breastfeeding questions, including those questions you didn’t know you had!
Postpartum Support Group
Monday, November 25th
Athens Public Library, 30 Home St. Athens
Join Sam Catania, who is a Mother, Therapist at Hopewell Health, and a yoga instructor for a postpartum support group incorporating both conversation and gentle yoga to take care of your mind and body during your postpartum journey! Pregnant Mamas and pre-mobile infants are also welcome if there is a need we will gladly look into providing childcare for older babies and toddlers. All expecting and postpartum women are welcome to this group, we all need support! Those who are concerned about more severe postpartum depression and anxiety can work with Sam to find an additional individual care provider that works for you. This program is free and will continue monthly.
Prepared Mommy Camp
November 9th, 10 am – 2 pm
Athens Friends Meeting House, 22 Birge Dr, Chauncey, OH 45719.
This Camp aimed at providing birth and parenting education and community building with young Mamas age 23 and under, though when we do have extra space and are glad to include others as well. We accept registration on a rolling basis, and participants are welcome to come back next year to catch the topics they missed this year. More information, as well as a video and the registration form, can be found on our website. We sincerely appreciate your support!
www.athensbirthcircle.org/prepared-mommy-camp
Meals for Families
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.