Embracing refugee women in one of the most vulnerable – and special – times of their lives.
What we do
A woman who has been through so much already should never have to go through pregnancy and childbirth alone. Our Embrace program guides refugee mothers through every step of their pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum experiences.
How we do it
We believe every refugee mother should feel informed, supported and confident during this transformative time, and our unique approach supports all three:
Informed
We’ll help her navigate a complex healthcare system and learn how to take care of herself and her baby at every step.
Supported
With our experts, trained volunteers and other mothers at her side, she’ll never have to go it alone.
Confident
Empowered and in control of her own experience, she’ll also have the confidence and training she needs to serve as a guide for other mothers in her community.
How we are different
Cultural experience and technical expertise
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.
Our specially trained childbirth educators, postpartum doulas and breastfeeding specialists help refugee mothers navigate every step of a life-changing experience.
Get involved
Curriculum and classes
Refer a mother to our program, or find out more about our classes and how you can license our curriculum for your organization.
Volunteer
Pregnant refugee moms need help and advocates throughout their pregnancy and the birthing process. Many of our donors are also volunteers because the friendships they forge here go far beyond the services we provide.
Donations
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, non expired 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
News and publications
Get the latest updates on our work, including newsletters, interviews and peer-reviewed articles.
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- Articles & Interviews
- Newsletter
- Peer-reviewed articles
December 1, 2024
Come Alongside Pregnant Refugee Friends
Read Embrace’s December 2024 Newsletter here.
July 11, 2024
Summer Celebrations and Labor Support Training
Read Embrace’s July 2024 Newsletter here.
April 25, 2024
You’re Invited! 3 Exciting Embrace Events You Don’t Want to Miss!
Read Embrace’s April 2024 Newsletter here.
April 25, 2024
A Closer Look with Rose Scott
Muzhda Oriakhil and Virginia Tester had the honor and privilege to share about maternal health access issues with Atlanta’s treasured journalist, Rose Scott! Listen to the podcast episode here, featured on NPR’s WABE 90.1 in Atlanta on April 25th, 2024.
March 7, 2024
Embrace and Empower this International Women’s Day
Read Embrace’s March 2024 Newsletter here.
December 31, 2023
“Sweet December!” and other celebrations at Embrace
Read Embrace’s December 2023 Newsletter here.
December 2, 2023
Female refugees’ experiences with sexual and reproductive healthcare in the Southeastern U.S.-G. Besera et al., 2023
Read the paper here.
November 17, 2023
Diversifying the Doula Workforce in Clarkston: Embrace and Direct Relief’s Fund for Health Equity Project
Virginia Tester, Jessica Rodriguez-Potter, Muzhda Oriakhil and Heidi Copeland presented this poster at Emory’s Perinatal Equity Collaborative Conference hosted on November 17, 2023 where we described our work with Direct Relief’s Fund for Health Equity (awarded 2022). Check it out by clicking here!
May 1, 2023
Meet Virginia Tester- CanvasRebel Magazine
Canvas Rebel sat down with our own Virginia Tester to hear about her experience as a nurse, midwife, parent and executive director of Embrace. Read the interview here.
March 31, 2023
”The Connector,” Atlanta Magazine
Atlanta Magazine author Ashley Edwards Walker features the incredible Muzhda Oriakhil in its March 2023 issue. Muzhda currently serves as Embrace’s Community Engagement Manager, but her story tells so much more! Read it online here.
January 31, 2023
Refugee women’s pregnancy and childbirth experiences in the US: Examining context through a reproductive justice framework-A. Kirkendall et al., 2023
Read the paper here.
June 16, 2021
Evaluating Birth Outcomes From a Community-Based Pregnancy Support Program for Refugee Women in Georgia- E. Mosley et al., 2021
Read the paper here.
April 30, 2021
Interview with Baby Magic, Granny Sense
Four of our volunteers sat down with the Baby Magic, Granny Sense podcast to recount their stories as mothers, as volunteers, as women. Listen on Spotify!