A Doula's work is sacred work.
It is life-giving, life-saving, ancestral work.
Its practices are rooted in the wisdom
of Black and Indigenous healers and midwives.
ROOTS &
CULTURE
OUR MISSION
Chicago Volunteer Doulas (CVD) connects pregnant and birthing people to free and low-cost compassionate labor, postpartum, and pregnancy loss support and information rooted in Black feminist wisdom and healing.
​
Led by principles of birth justice and anti-racism, CVD works to eliminate stigma, shame, fear, morbidity, and mortality among Black women and all those marginalized within pregnancy and birth care.
OUR VISION
CVD envisions a world where all pregnancy and postpartum experiences and outcomes are met with empathy and care, the labor of those who provide full-spectrum Doula support is recognized and celebrated, and everyone has the resources and autonomy they need for their lives, families, and communities to thrive.
WHAT IS A CHICAGO VOLUNTEER DOULA?
A CVDoula is a labor support professional who has chosen to commit time and energy to helping pregnant people and their families in Chicago. Our Doulas come from a variety of backgrounds. They are social workers, child caregivers, transportation specialists, community organizers, accountants, stay-at-home parents, midwifery students, artists, activists, nurses, lawyers, teachers, yoga instructors, and massage therapists.
​
An accredited organization has trained all of our Doulas; many are certified. Some of our Doulas are new to the profession, while many have supported mothers and birthing people in childbirth for years.
​
Our administrators have interviewed each Doula to ensure they support our vision, have the necessary skills, and are committed to our mission and the families we serve.
​
Our Doulas celebrate different racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds. CVDoulas include women, men, gender non-conforming or trans people, and members of both straight and LGBTQI communities. Some of our Doulas have disabilities.
​
No matter their background, ALL of our Doulas are committed to providing the best Doula support to their clients.
CVD ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES