博客存档 - CICADA COLLECTIVE

Houston Abortion Doula Training Reflections

10/27/2016

image description: 8 people in various poses (sitting, crouching, and standing) smiling and grouped together in front of a white wall

image description: a diagonal view of the training space room with black chairs stacked on the right side, an orange wall at the back with multicolored papers taped to it and a whiteboard with text and papers in front of it, a wall with 2 windows (closed blinds) on the left side, and an "L" shaped table in the center of the room with black chairs around it.

image description: an orange wall behind a whiteboard with a bulleted list written in blue dry-erase marker, with two papers taped to the center of the board (content of papers indiscernable; one sheet has images and writing with a typed heading, the other has text only), and a poster taped to the board directly to the right of the papers. whiteboard reads: womenonwaves.org (parking lot*) -$$$ [dollar signs], -language barriers / Deaf or HoH, -judicial bypass, -geography/proximity to clinic, -access to pregnancy test, -photo ID + citizenship esp in RGV etc, -transportation, -lodging, -time off work, -childcare, -knowing where services are / avoiding CPC's [sad-face], -physical accessibility in clinics, -private phone, - access to computer, -internet, -address, -clinic capacity the poster taped to the board has a header written in pink and orange marker: "WHAT IT TAKES TO GET AN ABORTION.....IN TEXAS!"underneath this is a green line / divider, and a list written in blue marker: -money, -geography, -transportation, -parental consent, -aftercare, -gestational limits, -support, -time, -childcare, -a place to stay, -clinic availability, -is it an actual abortion clinic?, -sonogram, -24 hour consent, -mandatory counseling, -escorts, -identification, -judicial bypass, -determination*, -safety w/phone calls, -blood tests [dollar sign]

image description: pink paper taped to an orange wall (the tape is patterned with multi-colored grey, yellow, teal, pink, yellow rectangles); written heading on the paper in black marker says self-care strategies and is circled. three sub-headings are written below in black marker, with a bulleted list underneath each (list written in black, blue, and purple pens by multiple different people / in various different handwritings): 1) BEFORE stressful events: sleeping, watching tv, tumblring, smoke weed, positive self talk, good shower, yoga, sex, focusing on nutritious but delicious food, baking, cuddle cats, masturbate 2) DURING stressful events: breathing, dissociating/"checking out", remind myself that this will pass, scream/cry, going outside, drinking enough water, deep breathing, bake/cook/look at recipes, rip papers (destroy cardboard by stabbing with scissors), take a walk, stretch, telling a friend, cuddle cats 3) AFTER stressful events: crying, eating food, smoking weed, masturbate, soft music in cool completely dark room, sex, not leaving the house unless i have to, sleep, biking, writing / making art, compartmentalizing (aka "bunkering") [sad-face], cuddle cats

image description: white paper with tape on corners (tape is patterned with seafoam green squares), heading written in purple marker says "DOULA SKILLS" underlined with a squiggly line. underneath is written "What skills, resources, identities, knowledge, qualities, etc. do we need to do this work responsibly and accountably?" underneath this is a row of 6 small purple post-it notes with handwriting by multiple different people in various pen colors; the notes read: 1) non-judgemental, 2) affirm dignity, worth & autonomy of client, 3) fuck you colonialism and white supremacy, 4) emotional capacity / compassion, 5) how to deal with authority figures [sad-face], 6) know boundaries and limits. additional rows and post-its below are not pictured.

image description: a white piece of paper on a white wall attached w/ patterned green tape; the paper has written words. heading in red marker says "How do we define "Support"?" with a red squiggly divider line underneath. beneath this is a multicolored bulleted list: written in orange -informational support: telling the client what to expect, what procedures look like, helping them find resources for services + care. written in green: -emotional support:being present to hold all the clients feelings before, during, and after the procedure. written in blue: -physical support: comforting and providing care to manage physical symptoms of pain and discomfort before, during, and after the procedure. written in purple: -practical support: providing the necessary logistical support (lodging, transportation, funding, meals, etc) to help your client access their procedure.

image description: an orange wall with white and pink papers taped to it; the heading of one paper says "Self-Care" handwritten in marker. below the posters and against the wall is a table with one chair under it, and water, snacks, and books arranged on top of it. part of a whiteboard with written words can be seen on the right, and sunlight / visible sun rays are streaming through open blinds of a window on the left.

image description: orange wall with two rows of multicolored colored paper taped to the wall with patterned green tape. the papers have multicolored writings, marker drawings, and colored tape on them, each created by a different individual to depict their personal journey.

we are overwhelmed with joy after our Abortion Doula Training in Houston at The Montrose Center this past weekend! the experience was fulfilling and enlightening in so many ways, and we are immeasurably thankful to everyone who helped make that space and our presence possible. it was truly transformative work to collectively share and develop tools for empathy, accountability, learning through discomfort, intentional care-taking, compassion, self-care, and the myriad of complex support skills that we hope to practice - both as abortion doulas helping others access the care that they need, and as caring and self-reflective individuals hoping to incite change.

there was so much brilliance, thoughtfulness, and intention present in that building/in our hearts, and we feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to meet and grow with all of the insightful and engaging people who created & shared space with us this past weekend. we felt so welcomed, and we genuinely look forward to continuing to build together. for those who had planned to attend and were unable to, please know that you were missed, and that we sincerely wish to connect, share, and learn together as soon as possible. we love building with our friends & communities in Houston, and hope to return for more collaborative events in the future!

thank you again to everyone who has and continues to support us emotionally, physically, and financially. these vital services would not be possible without your help, and we are eternally grateful. please continue to share and donate if able to our fundrazr (https://fundrazr.com/81AzC8?ref=ab_b61b45) or paypal (cicada.collective.ntx@gmail.com) to help us recover lost funds - we are only $175 away from reaching our goal!

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Support Houston Abortion Doula Training!

10/21/2016

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Support Houston Abortion Doula Training!

Hello, lovely friends and supporters! This is noreen and morgan, Co-Directors of Cicada Collective and co-organizers and facilitators for our organization's 4th Abortion Doula Training - in Houston this weekend, October 22 & 23rd! We are so excited and grateful for all the support that has made it possible for us to make this event happen.

Putting on a training involves a lot of background labor - we spent months telecommuting with organizers on the ground in Houston to fundraise, find a location, date, and interested participants while we worked on redeveloping and curating the content of the training. When the hosting doula group chose to seek other trainers at the last minute because we were unwilling to allow individuals who made racist or transphobic remarks to attend our queer and trans people of color centered training, we knew it was important to make sure the training still happened - we wanted to honor our commitment to the individuals in Houston for whom these skills are necessary tools of support and resistance.
Unfortunately, we only received $120 from the original hosts after they cancelled, though they were responsible for fundraising at least $400 more to cover the costs of the training and make sure we were paid for our labor (see a breakdown of the costs below). We have used our personal funds to pay for a lot of these costs because we were not willing to raise the sliding scale fee for our participants, who would not have been able to attend without low-cost options, but this means that we are not receiving payment for our time organizing and facilitating.
the total costs of putting on this training: $1445
we have covered $415 from our incoming participant fees and donated funds:
-$180 room rental for training space,
-$100 Houston-based facilitator for 60 min,
-$75 supplies (markers, nametags, easel pad, binders, etc),
-$60 gas for transportation to Houston

and $430, plus unpaid labor in organizing and as facilitators, from personal funds:
-$200 for printing costs,
-$30 snacks for the 2-day / 16-hr training,
-$200 food and lodging for 2 nights / 2 traveling facilitators.
what's missing is $600 for 2 Cicada Collective facilitators for 15 hr / 2-day training(not incl unbilled hours for months of prep work, plus travel time).
Our labor is valuable and we care deeply about sharing these skills - please help us make this work sustainable by supporting us and the individuals who access our services and trainings. (also, we have to pay rent next week! please help. <3)
love,
cicada collective

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Houston Abortion Doula Training Reflections

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Are you looking for abortion support?

Houston Abortion Doula Training Reflections

Support Houston Abortion Doula Training!﻿

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Support Houston Abortion Doula Training!