Midwives Raising Funds to Go Mobile!
Midwives Rising!, founded by Shell Walker Luttrell, is a community endeavor with a strong history of service and making dreams a reality.
We are asking for your help to bring our latest project to life.
We recognize that there are underserved needs in our community and we believe that a mobile clinic and education center.
Of course every dream starts with one small step and we have made the initial step!
TAH-DAH
WE FOUND A BUS! (and we just might name her Birther: )
We know that it is going to take a lot of support to complete this project so we are dividing it into 4 manageable phases. Right now we are in 1st stage.
Phase 1
1. Finish paying for the bus, fly at least 2 drivers to Kalamazoo, get it new tires, a new gas gauge, transport it to Phoenix, have the motor checked out by a trusted individual, and convert it to vegetable oil, permit license and insure. Estimated Costs: $7,000
a. 1 vegetable oil contract
b. 1 Driver
c. Mechanic to look over the engine
d. Leads on conversion, possible discounted 'deal' for needed parts.
e. Maybe some frequent flier miles
a. $7,000
and/or: Tires, frequent flier miles, hotel coupons,
b. Someone who can do the vegetable oil conversion for free or at a discount
c. Someone(s) to help drive it from Kalamazoo to Phoenix
d. For you to please donate and to share this note
a. Our hearts and souls
b. Two free births for every $7,000 that we raise
c. A chance to have the first baby born on the bus
d. Project updates
We LOVE our community, both local and wide, and we know that we are loved right back! Thank you for believing in us! This dream is coming true!
Shell, Jamie, Danielle, Rachel
We are a great investment!
As well as the birth work that we provide, time and time again we have given to our community and thanks to our work there have been real and tangible benefits to our community.
Our mobile unit provides FREE prenatal care to women from underserved communities, easy to access midwife care for the families that we serve, health and birth choices education, out of town VBAC birth options and the grooviest birth option in the state. Find us at markets, festivals and gatherings in and around Arizona.
(Thanks to you, the above entry, 'mobile' will soon be a reality.)
Our breastfeeding booth has become a mainstay at downtown events. It offers a convenient and free space for families to feed, weigh and care for their baby while at public event.
Midwifery Training Programs
Shell consistently provides free and paid internships and educational opportunities to student midwives.
Placenta Crafting
Since Shell freely trained dozens and dozens placenta crafters with the agreement that each student train at least one more person and to also offer 5 free services to the community, it is now easier and more affordable to find placenta crafting services in Phoenix, AZ.
PAP Parties
As conceived and initiated by Shell over 10 years ago as a means to educate, encourage and inspire and offer free and discounted women's health care, PAP parties are now being hosted by other midwifery offices.
The healing powers of placenta combined with chocolate
Shell is not afraid to explore the possibilities. While placenta chocolate may not be for everyone the benefits are profound and tangible and the recipe is now being provided to women across the country.
Public Art
Jamie's art work has freely educated many about female anatomy.
Birth Zine
A FREE educational publication that challenges birth views, protocols and is guided by community Q and A.
Breastmilk
Thanks to Eats on Feets, founded by Shell, safe, ethical and commerece-free breastmilk sharing is now easier than ever with many networks to choose from and endless resources to make educated choices.
Paving the way for midwife based birth centers in Arizona.
While she is least proud and somewhat embarrassed by the final product/form/model of this project, there is no denying the positive impact on the birthing community in Arizona. There are now many midwife based birth centers to choose from in Arizona, one of which that carries a sacred name as chosen by Shell.
As soon as she has a minute she intends to open a center based on the original dream- a free and/or by donation birth center.
Birth!