Cumberland Community Schools Society (CCSS), in partnership with Plum Midwifery, invite the community to an open house to announce a new Group Prenatal and Education Program.
Come meet the midwives and have cake and tea at the Masonic Hall at 2687 Dunsmuir Avenue in Cumberland Wednesday, July 10 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Group Prenatal encourages active involvement in women's prenatal care through dialogue in the group model — encouraging peer connections, learning from one another, sharing experiences and developing friendships. Midwives facilitate learning through the provision of best practice/evidence-based information, discussion of care issues, and teaching self-care.
Plum Midwifery has offered Group Prenatal at their Comox location with tremendous results. Group Prenatal and education will run Wednesday afternoons from 1:00 - 3:00 pm at the Masonic Hall.
CCSS received a grant for $8,490 from Children's Health Foundation of Vancouver Island through the Foundation’s 2013 Community Grants Program. The grant will expand CCSS's Healthy Mother/Healthy Child initiative by presenting two Community Programs for new families in Cumberland — Group Prenatal and Mamacentric.
The second program, Mamacentric, will begin its second year in September offering a weekly support and education group for young mothers. The group focuses common and unexpected complications after the baby's birth, while building friendships and a sense of community. Topics can include anything from sleep deprivation and relationship changes, to postpartum depression.
Facilitator Amy Kelly, a registered midwife, states the sessions may include guest speakers, introducing new mothers to fun and essential services available in the community, such as infant massage and post-birth yoga. The sessions will create an opportunity for parents to share and learn in a non-judgmental, supportive and confidential setting. Tea, snacks and childcare are available, and the sessions are free.
CCSS is a non-profit society that works in partnership with Cumberland Schools, community groups and volunteers to provide educational and support services for students and local residents while increasing the use of our schools. Based out of Cumberland Elementary School, CCSS provides a healthy lunch program, free after-school programs and community programs for all ages.
For more information about CCSS programs or to volunteer, please contact the program coordinator at 250-336-8521, or visit us on our website, www.cumberlandcommunityschools.com, or on Facebook.
Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island is a registered charity whose purpose is to raise funds to support the health and well-being of children and youth in need on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. The foundation owns and operates Jeneece Place and built the Sooke and West Shore Child, Youth & Family Centres. With roots dating back to 1922, the organization was previously known as the Queen Alexandra Foundation for Children. For more information, please visit www.childrenshealthvi.org.
— Cumberland Community School Society