Navigating the complexities of motherhood
Pregnancy for New American mothers is often a time of great joy—and great vulnerability. They face complex healthcare systems, language barriers, and unfamiliar cultural expectations. Even arranging transportation to a doctor’s appointment can be challenging.
Guiding expectant mothers
Our Embrace program guides refugee mothers through every step of their pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum experiences. Our specially trained childbirth educators, postpartum doulas, and breastfeeding specialists help New American mothers navigate every step of a life-changing experience.
More than half of the Embrace team hails from the refugee community, so we understand what our mothers are going through—and can share knowledge in their heritage languages.
We believe every refugee mother should feel informed, supported, and confident during this transformative time.
“Embrace gives us hope and it’s always supporting us. It’s our family.”
-Embrace client
Get involved
Classes and curriculum
Refer a mother to our program—or find out more about our classes, and how you can license our curriculum for your organization.
Volunteer requirements
- Female, at least 18 years old, required.
- Weekday availability, required.
- Openness to multicultural, multi-religious, and refugee populations, required.
Individual opportunities include:
- Providing Healthy Moms classroom support through snacks and childcare.
- Helping moms with transportation to prenatal appointments.
- Pairing with a mom throughout her pregnancy (driving the mom to some prenatal appointments is required).
- Providing labor and delivery support.
Group opportunities include hosting a baby shower for a group of 10-15 pregnant mothers (weekdays, onsite in Clarkston), participating in a diaper drive, or a facility clean-up project.
Note: In addition to the Introduction to Friends of Refugees workshop, an Embrace volunteer orientation is required for individual volunteers.
In-kind donations
We gladly accept in-kind donations from our wishlist. Shop our list on Amazon, or drop off new or gently-used items from the list below. Contact us to schedule a time for a drop-off: embrace.birth@friendsofrefugees.com
We are accepting
- Gently used, unexpired infant car seats
- Pack ‘n plays, bassinets, co-sleepers, other small beds
- Gently used 0-3 month clothing
- Size 1-6 disposable diapers
- Lightweight strollers/frames
- Baby wipes, baby shampoo, diaper cream
- Digital thermometer
- Feminine pads
We are NOT accepting
- Baby furniture (cribs, mattresses, changing tables, highchairs)
- Bottles/baby food
- Used breast pumps
- Maternity clothing
- Toddler car seats
- Booster car seats
- Toys/stuffed animals/books
Will you be a friend?
There are many ways to join us as we build abundant life in flourishing communities with our refugee and New American neighbors.
Donate
Set up a recurring donation, contribute one time, or view our in-kind donation lists.
Volunteer
Share your information to learn about ways partners can serve and volunteer.