2018 has been a big year for the Birth Circle – we have gained a new director, many new board members, and several new programs! We have also made big changes to our Prepared Mommy Camp program which has allowed it to flourish in new ways and serve more young mothers. 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 2018.
We strive to be responsive to the needs of our members and community; the need for the Postpartum Support Group and Mama Walks were brought to our attention by community members and brought to fruition by partnerships with local mental health services (Postpartum Support) and board members (Mama Walks). In response to community partners and past camp participants, we have revamped our Prepared Mommy Camp Program to take place in two sessions of four monthly workshops each – March-June and August-November. In this way, we have been able to serve four times as many young mothers as we did at our most recent camp in 2016! We have partnered with local nurses, doulas, childbirth educators, social workers, and parenting educators to cover topics such as Healthy Pregnancy, Childbirth, Breastfeeding, Infant Care, Positive Parenting, and Self Care.
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 is substantial, and 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!
Donations can be made via cash, check or PayPal.
To make a secure online donation via Paypal, please click the “donate” button below!
Ariel Carver
Executive Director, The Birth Circle
director@athensbirthcircle.com
www.athensbirthcircle.com
740-652-6262
Mama Walks
Wednesday, November 14th
Market on State (for the winter months)
Meet in the center of the mall from 5:45-6: 00 pm, and we will walk from 6:00-7: 00 pm.
Join Birth Circle board member Leanne and her baby for a casual stroller walk in the mall. A great chance to meet new moms, socialize, and get a little exercise!
Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, November 28th, 7 pm at the Athens Library
Want to learn how to use music to bond with your infant? Research shows that using simple rhythm and infant-directed singing can promote infant self-soothing behaviors, reduced caregiver stress, as well as increased attachment between the caregiver and infant. The presenters will share information about this research and teach the participants some easy-to-learn rhythmic and singing experiences. Caregivers alone or with their infants are welcome!
Kamile Geist, Ph.D., MT-BC, is the Director of Music Therapy at Ohio University and a music therapy researcher. Dr. Geist’s scholarship and research interests are interdisciplinary and focus on creating evidence of the positive effects of rhythmic interventions on improving attention behaviors of children and also reducing stress in teachers, parents or caregivers. Recently, her work has expanded to look at the impact of music on infant/caregiver attachment.
Hannah Smith is a senior music therapy student at Ohio University, whose clinical focus is infants and caregivers in early childhood settings. Last summer, she collaborated on a research team at Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville, KY, where they investigated the impact of music for infants in the NICU with substance exposure.
Young Moms’ Group
Saturday, November 10th 12-2pm at Athens Community Church 219 Columbus Rd.
This month we will give thanks for all the young moms who come through our programs. Bring a dish to share and we will have lunch together. All are welcome!
Play Group
Tuesday, December 4th
Join Birth Circle Board member Maira and her children at the Athens Library in the children’s section the first Tuesday of the month 3-5pm for informal free play and socializing.
Loss Support Group
Thursday, December 6th
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.
Postpartum Support Group
Friday, December 7th from 2:30- 4:00 pm
Athens Library
There will be a Postpartum Support Group for Mom’s that are battling the blues, blah’s, and the super hard stuff. Those who wish to will have the opportunity to share their postpartum story and create a circle of mutual support with other Mamas who are struggling during this intense time. A representative from Hopewell Health will be available at the meeting in addition to mom – to – mom support. Please feel free to share this!
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.
You can also click here if you would like to sign up to receive meals.
Or fill out this online form if you would like to sign up to prepare a meal for a family!
What: The Birth Circle’s family-friendly New Year’s Eve Party.
Where: The Dairy Barn, Athens, Ohio 45701.
When: Monday, December 31st from 5:00 to 8:00 pm (the ball drops at 7:00).
Tickets: $20/adult ($25 at the door), $5/children ($10 at the door). Ages 2 & under free. Purchase tickets online at https://dairybarn.org/product/jive2019/.
Food by Purple Chopstix.
Tickets:
JIVE! tickets are on sale now at The Dairy Barn Art Center webpage. We are looking forward to another fun event, celebrating the new year with area families!
Tickets will also be available at the Dairy Barn’s Gallery Shop beginning on November 1st. The Gallery Shop at The Dairy Barn Arts Center is open Tuesday-Sunday 12-5 p.m. Cash, Check and all Major Credit Cards Accepted. Please keep your receipt as proof of payment if you pay in person at The Dairy Barn Arts Center.
