Strength Based Community Change

SBCC's community-based doula Program, once known as- Helping Hands, Loving Hearts, began as a pilot program and has been successfully supporting families including those who reside in Long Beach since 2010. Over the years, SBCC has continued to train residents and provide no-cost doula support to the community. In 2022 the doula program expanded and now offers support in the South Bay, South Los Angeles, and Antelope Valley's Lake LA area. SBCC's doulas have partnered with hundreds of families offering our support and services to those who qualify.

Some of the benefits of receiving community-based doula support include-

-Access to a variety of birth options: Long Beach has several hospitals, birth centers, and home birth midwives. Families have a range of options when it comes to where they give birth. Doulas can help families navigate these options so that they can make informed decisions about their care.

-Reduction of maternal and infant mortality rates: While Long Beach has made strides in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates, there is still work to be done. Doulas can help address disparities in care by advocating for their participant's needs and working to ensure that they receive high-quality care, resources, and referrals to appropriate support.

-We address the unique needs of diverse communities: Long Beach is home to a diverse population. Community-based doulas come from the communities they serve. They are trained in cultural competency. This enables us to provide support that is sensitive to the unique needs and experiences of the families we partner with.

-We provide continuity of care: In a healthcare system that can oftentimes feel fragmented and overwhelming, doulas provide continuity of care by being a constant presence throughout the pregnancy, birth, and postpartum periods. This can help families feel more supported and empowered in their care.

-Increased lactation rates: Our doulas are trained to assist with lactation and can provide guidance and support, creating improved initiation rates and longer-term success rates.

-Well-being benefits: Studies have shown that having the continuous support of a doula can improve a caregiver's mental health and well-being, leading to improved long-term outcomes for both the caregiver and the baby.

-Improved bonding and attachment: Our doulas are trained to identify risk factors, such as perinatal mood disorders, parental stress, substance abuse, and lack of social support. By addressing these risk factors we reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect which helps to increase bonding and attachment. our doulas provide parents with education and support on child development, positive parenting, baby-wearing, infant massage, and how to deal with stressful situations. This can help parents build strong and healthy relationships with their infants and children.

Community-Based Doula support is an invaluable resource for expecting parents and recently postpartum families. We believe that all people should have access to a doula, doulas make a difference are our positive outcomes are proof of our impact!

Testimonials

"The best thing about the community-based doula program is the sense of community, the unwavering and nonjudgmental support, and the sense of empowerment it provided". Courtney R.

"The absolute best part about having a community-based Doula is gaining knowledge and power during childbirth that you never knew you had".
-Tiara T.

The Community Based Doula program at SBCC gave me the support I needed to have my dream birth. I felt so empowered by what I learned in the classes and having a doula at my birth was so helpful. I am forever grateful for the doula team.
-Michelle Z.