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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. 
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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. 

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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.

our mission
our vision
Chicago Volunteer Doulas (CVD) was founded in 2007 and incorporated in 2010 under the belief that everyone should have access to the educational, physical, and emotional support doulas can provide, regardless of their income or identities. 

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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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No matter their background, ALL of our Doulas are committed to providing the best Doula support to their clients. 

Team CVD

Our Executive Board

CVD ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES
org values

Respect and Compassion:

CVD works from the heart, starting with empathy and interrupting the stigma and shame surrounding birth, postpartum, abortion and pregnancy loss

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