You are incredible. Surviving 2020 was no small task. You did it. You're here, and we are grateful.
But survive is not all you have done. Somehow, while facing challenges that were unthinkable a year ago, you did something amazing: You helped make our year-end fundraising our most successful ever. At the 2020, you:
You did that. While isolated from friends and family. While homeschooling kids. While in the midst of a nationwide mental health crisis. You invested in the holistic healing of child survivors when you have much to heal from yourself—and they will never forget it.
As we enter 2021, we are carefully plotting out services for pregnant and parenting teens. Here's what we are offering this year:
We know that no matter what comes our way, YOU are in our corner. Thank you so very much!
Best,
Tashmica Torok
Links:
Collectively, we are witnessing great changes unfold before us. But where some feel fear and uncertainty, YOU see hope and light in future generations.
Your midwife continues to embrace new babies and parents with love, support, and a sensitivity that honors young parents and their stories. In our last update we highlighted Connie’s dedication in creating virtual childbirth education and healthy sex education classes. We are excited to announce our Childbirth Education series began October 10, 2020. Parents and babies benefit from an 8-week, virtual series that features six different local BIPOC professionals. We even have little surprises for new parents!
You create possibility and joy for young survivors and their children.
Thank you.
Links:
These are unprecedented times and we are faced with daunting challenges:
How do we preserve healing connections during a pandemic?
How do we create lasting change and healing in a health system that consistently harms Black, brown and indigenous parents?
But YOU are undeterred.
You stepped up and ensured that we can continue the critical work of providing pregnant and parenting teens with holistic healing support. As a result, we’ve been busy...
For parents who are survivors of sexual violence, pregnancy and childbirth can be re-traumatizing. Your midwife, Connie, continues to provide telehealth support for postpartum teens, walking alongside them as survivors and new parents.
You are making healing a reality for young parents across the country. Connie regularly participates in virtual birth chat groups to offer support and guidance to parenting teens. Research demonstrates that young parents and their babies are healthier when young mothers participate in peer support groups that are facilitated by midwives.
Connie is developing a program to provide virtual childbirth education and healthy sex education classes. This will be a safe space for pregnant and parenting teens to heal, build healthy parenting skills, and disrupt intergenerational trauma.
Collectively, you are changing lives.
Thank you.
Erica Dziedzic
Links:
YOU loved this project into reality with your big generosity.
In 2019, thirteen pregnant and parenting teens had access to reproductive health education, doula services, and labor support. YOU empowered, supported and amplified the voices of young parents.
And now, we are so excited to share that your love has been magnified by WomenStrong International.
In urban communities across the United States, black and brown people are dying in pregnancy and childbirth at rates more than three times those of their counterparts. This is compounded by the fact that survivors of sexual violence have a higher risk of experiencing re-traumatization during pregnancy.
YOU are upending these disparities by helping pregnant and parenting teen survivors access reproductive health care at The Firecracker Foundation.
You started this work by believing 13 pregnant and parenting teen survivors deserved more from their community.
Your critical support paired with funding from WomenStrong International will make it possible for more than 100 pregnant and parenting teens to have access to the services they need to have healthy pregnancies, good birthing experiences, trauma-informed care, and more!
YOU are healing generations.
Thank you.
Tashmica Torok
Links:
YOU changed lives in 2019.
Right now, 13 pregnant and parenting teen survivors of sexual trauma are supported through TIMED. For example, your midwife and doulas offer a full childbirth education series and a newborn care series.
YOU make this possible.
But, there is still so much to do...
According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, 113 young women between the ages of 15-19 received no prenatal care prior to giving birth in 2018.
In 2020 TIMED is expanding and accepting pregnant and parenting teen survivors from the tri-county area of mid-Michigan in addition to teen mothers living at Angel House, a residential program for pregnant and parenting teen girls.
Please consider committing to a monthly donation of $10, $25, or $100 so we can continue to support our teens and include new young mothers tomorrow.
THANK YOU for all you do for pregnant and parenting teen survivors of sexual violence. We feel your love.
With much gratitude,
Erica Dziedzic
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