The Doula Project

Thank you for visiting the brand new Doula Project website! We are a volunteer led and run organization that provides compassionate care and support to people across the spectrum of pregnancy. Since 2008, we have served more than 500 pregnant people and will continue to grow that number in 2010. This winter, our project will open in 2 more abortion clinics in New York City, and we invite you to make a donation so that women in our community will receive the care they deserve. In an effort to spread our doula love, we have created buttons that you can purchase today to help give pregnant women the gift of a doula. We are excited to share our work with you and hope you will get involved. There are many ways to become a part of The Doula Project Community. Whether you are a donor, a volunteer, an ally, or a fan, you can make a huge difference in the lives of pregnant people.

In 2008 I became an abortion doula in New York City. After I completed my doula training, I became incredibly apprehensive about my role during the procedure. I was worried that I would say the wrong thing, that I would be awkward, and that, as a college-educated, white genderqueer, I would not be able to relate to my clients at the clinic, who are mostly lower-income women of color and immigrants. What I found after my first few shifts of work was that I had worried way too much about saying the right thing. With most of my clients, I barely speak at all. In the waiting room, I sit next to her as I hold her hand. During the procedure, I try to be a solid presence- I plant my feet squarely next to the table and I face her; I try to make our dynamic her focus- whether its letting her squeeze my hand or looking her in the eye with absolute confidence that she is going to be ok. Afterward, we mostly sit in silence together, only really speaking if I sense that she wants to ...

What do doulas have in common with watermelons? The first-ever, watermelon-themed Activist Olympics organized by The Doula Project! On September 19, 2009, 25 determined athletes walked onto McCarren Park's baseball diamond in Brooklyn, NY ready to throw, hand-off, and roll around in the dirt with their very own watermelons, all in the name of supporting The Doula Project. Six teams fought for the ultimate prize, a shining gold trophy, and they did so stylishly and with much team spirit. Teams of 4 people each competed in relay-style events such as the classic 'watermelon toss,' 'the watermelon run,' and a Doula Project original 'the watermelon squat.' Competition was surprisingly fierce, full of heckling, attempted sabotage, and mock confrontations with judges. After 2 hours of fun, sun, and watermelons, we declared an official winner, Team Cats the Musical. Following the Olympics we went to K&M Bar to meet up with other Doula Project supporters and toas...