Charlene's Teaching Fund
Donation protected
Dear Family & Friends,
Now that our daughter Mirriam has transitioned into long-term housing, it is time for me to re-invest in the calling of my heart- being a Birthing From Within Mentor.
I started with Birthing From Within in 2002, after spending several years as a trained doula, and found that the program spoke to me on a deep, visceral level.
Far more than just getting women ready for birth by teaching them patterned breathing, facts and figures, Birthing From Within approches childbirth preperation as time for personal exploration, guides parents into emotional rediness, as well as physical, and teaches pain coping as integrated life practices, rather than something dusted off in labor.
My goal, aside from teaching childbirth classes regularly, is to have a weekly blog & podcast discussing pregnancy & birth on my website: Heart of Birth
I also have a long-term dream of developing a Birthing From Within- based year-long pregnancy & birth program for expectant teens. Having been a teen mother myself, I can't begin to tell you how profoundly a year long, person-centered approach would have changed my experience.
What Needs Funded?
There are three primary areas where funding is needed to establish my practice.
Location- The base requirement for teaching a class, is a space to teach in. Without a location secured, scheduling classes for people to register for is impossible. My first choice of location is a space I have used previously; it is accessable, comfortable & very reasonably priced compared to similar spaces in the region. Deposits, first & last month & fees are the expected initial expense.
Supplies- Over the years, my pool of classroom resources has dwindled, been damaged, or lost. Much of the consumable supplies will need purchaced.
Safety Net- I feel that it is important to have a buffer covering the cost of several months worth of space rent. I will be actively seeking out someone to share the space with me, but that will take time to establish. I will also be establishing a Patreon for the blog & podcast to help with the ongoing rental expenses.
Why Crowdfunding?
Over the years, my forays into teaching have been supported in various ways- by agencies, friends, and family. Many times this would have been successful, if I had not needed to step back from teaching, and devote all of my time and energy to Mirriam's care & advocacy.
With that limitation lifted, I have the time and energy needed to focus on providing excellent childbirth preparation to the families in my comminity. However, financial limitations still arise:
1) Our personal income & budget does not currently have disposable income that can be put towards 'extra' monthly expenses, like office rent.
2) Our personal credit is tied up in medical & homeowner expenses. A loan would be both difficult to obtain (and likely come at a high interest rate), and not be compatable with our current income.
3) The size and scope of my practice is such that the IRS and SBA see it as a 'hobby', rather than a business. This eliminates access to many potential loans and grants (and, again, a loan isn't feasable with our current income).
I am asking people to believe in me, the message I bring to each class, and what I do.
I cannot promise reward, repayment or 'Return on Investment'. I cannot promise a thriving business with a steady income flow and revenue.
What I can promise is that I will move forward with teaching, to the absolute best of my ability. I will, as I have in the past, give my heart and soul into my work.
I can promise my whole-hearted gratitude to each and every person who supports me, my appreciation of the trust you put in me by contributing.
And I can promise, that what I do, each couple that I reach, does make a difference in the world, one baby at a time.
Thank you,
Charlene
If you do not wish to make an online payment, please contact me directly for other arrangments. Your gift will be noted here, and the amount deducted from the funding goal.
Now that our daughter Mirriam has transitioned into long-term housing, it is time for me to re-invest in the calling of my heart- being a Birthing From Within Mentor.
I started with Birthing From Within in 2002, after spending several years as a trained doula, and found that the program spoke to me on a deep, visceral level.
Far more than just getting women ready for birth by teaching them patterned breathing, facts and figures, Birthing From Within approches childbirth preperation as time for personal exploration, guides parents into emotional rediness, as well as physical, and teaches pain coping as integrated life practices, rather than something dusted off in labor.
My goal, aside from teaching childbirth classes regularly, is to have a weekly blog & podcast discussing pregnancy & birth on my website: Heart of Birth
I also have a long-term dream of developing a Birthing From Within- based year-long pregnancy & birth program for expectant teens. Having been a teen mother myself, I can't begin to tell you how profoundly a year long, person-centered approach would have changed my experience.
What Needs Funded?
There are three primary areas where funding is needed to establish my practice.
Location- The base requirement for teaching a class, is a space to teach in. Without a location secured, scheduling classes for people to register for is impossible. My first choice of location is a space I have used previously; it is accessable, comfortable & very reasonably priced compared to similar spaces in the region. Deposits, first & last month & fees are the expected initial expense.
Supplies- Over the years, my pool of classroom resources has dwindled, been damaged, or lost. Much of the consumable supplies will need purchaced.
Safety Net- I feel that it is important to have a buffer covering the cost of several months worth of space rent. I will be actively seeking out someone to share the space with me, but that will take time to establish. I will also be establishing a Patreon for the blog & podcast to help with the ongoing rental expenses.
Why Crowdfunding?
Over the years, my forays into teaching have been supported in various ways- by agencies, friends, and family. Many times this would have been successful, if I had not needed to step back from teaching, and devote all of my time and energy to Mirriam's care & advocacy.
With that limitation lifted, I have the time and energy needed to focus on providing excellent childbirth preparation to the families in my comminity. However, financial limitations still arise:
1) Our personal income & budget does not currently have disposable income that can be put towards 'extra' monthly expenses, like office rent.
2) Our personal credit is tied up in medical & homeowner expenses. A loan would be both difficult to obtain (and likely come at a high interest rate), and not be compatable with our current income.
3) The size and scope of my practice is such that the IRS and SBA see it as a 'hobby', rather than a business. This eliminates access to many potential loans and grants (and, again, a loan isn't feasable with our current income).
I am asking people to believe in me, the message I bring to each class, and what I do.
I cannot promise reward, repayment or 'Return on Investment'. I cannot promise a thriving business with a steady income flow and revenue.
What I can promise is that I will move forward with teaching, to the absolute best of my ability. I will, as I have in the past, give my heart and soul into my work.
I can promise my whole-hearted gratitude to each and every person who supports me, my appreciation of the trust you put in me by contributing.
And I can promise, that what I do, each couple that I reach, does make a difference in the world, one baby at a time.
Thank you,
Charlene
If you do not wish to make an online payment, please contact me directly for other arrangments. Your gift will be noted here, and the amount deducted from the funding goal.
Organizer
Charlene Hamilton
Organizer
Mountlake Terrace, WA