YEAR END NOTE OF THANKS

Happy holidays from Supporting Sunrise!

We are closing out this year grateful for all we have accomplished and excited about what is to come in the new year. We would like to share some of our successes of 2022:

·      We were born! After more than a year of planning, plotting, mission-honing, website-making, officially incorporating, non-profit status-seeking (and getting!), we officially become a 501©3 organization in 2022.

·      We implemented our flagship program! Our first major effort as an organization was to fund the Descendants of Grand Midwives scholarship, which provides educational support to Black student midwives. We spread the word about the opportunity, reviewed applications, interviewed applicants and…

 

·      We handed out our first two awards! We selected two highly-qualified Black midwifery students—one a CPM student and one on the PEP track, one in Virginia and one in Maryland—and both very committed to their passion to serve Black and Brown communities as future midwives.

We are so excited about what we have accomplished so far. We are even more excited about meeting our future goals. Here is our plan for the upcoming year:

·      Provide six more Descendants of Grand Midwives scholarships: two new and one returning applicant in January 2023—accepting applications through December 31!—and one new and two returning applicants in July 2023. Application window: June 1-30

·      Provide four doula scholarships through Childbirth International (CBI) in April 2023. Application window: March 1-31, 2023

·      Expand into community support for birthing families, beginning with a diaper drive in May 2023. Keep an eye out for details!

·      Provide four lactation consultation scholarships also through Childbirth International (CBI) in October 2023. Application window: September 1-30, 2023

We believe this work is crucial and are humbled to help carry it out. Whether you are a birth worker, a student working to become one, a birthing person or someone who cares about reproductive justice, we invite you to join our community. We are so glad you are here.

Lactation FAQ's

1. How long will the application stay open?

   The application will remain open for one month. 9/1-9/30

2. Do you offer mentorship?

   (Starting in 2023, scholarship recipients)You will you have access to a private Facebook Page, where you’ll be able to ask questions as they come up for you.

3. Who is the training with?

   The training is an online training done at your own pace with Childbirth International.

4. I have a personal relationship with someone on the advisory board, can i apply?

   Starting Fall 2023 Family and Friends of advisory board members cannot apply.

5. How much do each SCHOLARSHIP Recipient RECEIVE?

   With this scholarship each recipient will receive a code that will give automatic access to the course.

6. How Many Doula SCHOLARSHIPS are you giving out for the 2023 year?

   We will be giving out 4 Lactation Scholarships

7. When do applications open?

   September 1- September 30th

   If you have any other questions, please comment below and we will update the FAQ’s to reflect them.

Doula FAQ's

1. How long will the application stay open?

   The application will remain open for 2 months February 1-March 31, 2024

2. Do you offer mentorship?

   Commonsense childbirth offer 6 months of mentorship with this training.

3. Who is the training with?

   The training is a three part training with Commonsense Childbirth.

   1st part- Online 14 modules training

   2nd part- 3 day in person training( August 2-4, 2024)

   3rd part- Supporting 5 birth clients and completing remaining certification requirements.

4. I have a personal relationship with someone on the advisory board, can i apply?

   Starting Fall 2023 Family and Friends of advisory board members cannot apply.

5. How much do each SCHOLARSHIP Recipient RECEIVE?

   With this scholarship each recipient will receive half off the original cost of the doula training.

6. How Many Doula SCHOLARSHIPS are you giving out for the 2024 year?

   We will be giving out 10 half priced Doula Scholarships

   If you have any other questions, please comment below and we will update the FAQ’s to reflect them.

Meet Brittney Riddick

“birth in the ways that are sacred to you”

Brittney Riddick was born and raised in Upper Marlboro, Maryland and has enjoyed working with Maryland families for more than 15 years in various settings. With the goal of opening her own Birthing Center one day, Brittney strives to serve more families in a way that is unbiased and unconditional. She is dedicated to her career of inspiring families to birth and parent as they see fit, through education and support.

Brittney founded Destination Baby in 2013 as a world wide support group, which today has expanded into offering labor and postpartum support, placenta services, massage services, childbirth education and lactation support. As a certified doula through ProDoula, Brittney makes it her personal goal to offer unbiased emotional, educational and physical support, during pregnancy, childbirth and beyond.

Brittney has an educational background in early childhood development, and has trained as a Massage Therapist through Baltimore School of Massage. She has experience and certification in many natural healthcare modalities including fertility massage, prenatal massage, reflexology, aromatherapy, and acupressure, all of which are useful tools in pregnancy, labor and delivery.

In Brittney’s spare time she enjoys spending family time with her husband, son and two daughters. As many Marylanders, she also enjoys the spring and summer months because it means crab season. She is currently also working towards becoming a Certified Professional Midwife.

Sydney Butler Beck

"The best part about being a Doula is to be present at the birth of not only a baby, but a family."

— Sydney Butler Beck

Sydney (she/her) was born and raised in Ellicott City, Maryland. Since childhood, Sydney has supported families during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.  She has over 10 years of experience as a nanny and doula. Sydney also coaches cheerleading and gymnastics from ages ranging from preschool to high school. 

As a certified labor and postpartum doula, Sydney understands the need for support during life changing events such as infertility, pregnancy and infant loss, birth, and postpartum. Her ultimate goal is to take this type of support to Africa, especially in Liberia where she has roots. She hopes to aid in the building of community centers, orphanages, and birthing centers. 

When Sydney is not coaching or attending a birth, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. Sydney also enjoys baking and trying new recipes in the kitchen. Her favorite time of the year is the summer for backyard barbecues and beach activities.