9th Annual Conference

Im/migrant Latinx families are facing discrimination across all the stratums of U.S. society. Families are listening to these messages as a personal attack to their very existence and worth, and the fear of separation is being carried by parents and children alike. Since maternal and child relationships are key in children development and wellbeing, it is logical to think that school districts, social services non-profits, and health care providers must be proactively acting to support the community. However, the respond of these anchor institutions and systems are lagging behind, because they do not fully understand the consequences of this type of stress in Latinx families.
This presentation uses a life story narrative methodology, aiming to undercover the personal and professional evolution of a team of Doulas/Promotoras working in a midsize city. Their stories will be interwoven with the story of their involvement in the development of a wellness collective. Life Course and Critical Race theories serve to guide the way the collective delivers maternal and child health (MCH) services directly families, as well, as informing larger systems about the gaps in quality of care observed on the ground. It is safe to state that the collective is disrupting the way the current state of MCH health system is being delivered to Latina/indigenous women in the county.
Their insider perspective, allows them to implement “woke services”, due to their understanding on how generational stress caused by social/gender discrimination, isolation, and other outside pressures is manifesting NOW in their lives, all while allowing for the creation co-learning spaces where multicultural and multigenerational Latinx families can strengthen their sense of belonging. Inside these spaces, healing and inner-power are nurtured.

All the presenters are part of the collective and leaders in their community. All are Marternal and Child health practitioners and have the lived-experiences that match the community they serve. They have vast training as promotoras and doulas. Together, they have secure important funding sources to support their work, and serve as role models to other women in the community.

Promotoras, doulas, community-based, maternal and child health, Latinxs, Critical Race Theory, Life Course Approach, social entrepeneurship, cultural worth, generation inequalities, life stories, immigration trajectories, systems of oppression, women empowerment.

Presentation/Lecture with Discussion: present information and engage the learners in discussion about the material.

This session is appropriate for all audiences and skill levels