Allie for Birth Doula!

**9.14.23 UPDATE: Someone has anonymously paid the rest of my entire gofundme of $6000. I am fully registered for classes and I am very excited for my adventure ahead. Thank you to everyone for your support! If you are wanting to still donate, you can...just reach out to me personally as I would love Birth Doula shirts, notebooks, and necessary items to carry with me! Here's to my big adventure of becoming an Assistant Soul Companion as a Birth and Death Doula!!!! This account will be closed in a week - 9.21.23.

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**9.12.2023 update: A month has came and went and I am getting discouraged that I wont reach even half of my goal. A friend encouraged me to share a little bit more about my goal and why I am needing a community of help to get me there. So here it is, I am currently unemployed. I am in the process of getting approved for disability. My life long disease has made my adult years difficult and I continue to fight my way towards any of my short-term or long-term goals. I believe that I am worthy of seeing my goals through despite my challenges.

I am doing more than just becoming a Birth Doula. I am creating a new job altogether. It's called an Assistant Soul Companion. I am merging two certifications into one. I have taken my savings and I am currently getting my Death Doula Certification. I will complete this course by the end of September 2023. I am almost done! As soon as I am finished, I will begin my Birth Doula course. In the the end, I will create a job that supports women and men welcoming new life into the world, and women, men, and (possibly) children who are leaving it. I know that I can do this. I am very confident in my compassion to walk with others during their personal transitions.

I simply cannot do this without a bandwidth of help. A little goes a long way. If you are unable to donate, sharing this page really helps. If you have shared it with one person already, I ask that you take a few seconds and think of one other person you know who is in a good place to help others right now. I am behind on my monthly goal, but at least I made it part way! I am not giving up on this goal.

A friend asked me what I would do if I didn't reach my goal by the time I am to begin my Birth Doula course and I said, "I know God is listening and will find a way to help." I know that I am an Assistant Soul Companion already and when I am in a good place to give back, I will shower my community. I look forward to the day I can give back. Thank you to all who are supporting me in every step right now. It means a lot. Thank you!

**8.7.2023 update: I am almost at my first grand goal! Thank you to those who are making this possible. This is a reminder that my goal date is November 15, 2023 - Which means I need to reach a monthly goal of $1750. I am not too far from achieving my first-month goal. Reminder: I will only have the first two weeks of November to reach my total goal.

**7.24.23 update: I have reached my first goal thanks to the thoughtful donations - buying all 14 required books for the 8 program course to become a Birth Doula! Thank you for helping me reach my goals one step at a time. Now I can get a head start on studying the material before taking the courses. This should secure my successful completion of the entire program! I owe deep gratitude to God, my friends, and my family for answering my daily prayers. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!

**7.23.23 update: looking to reach the goal by November 15, 2023.

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Hi, my name is Allie and when I was 9 I was told that I would never have babies of my own. My little sister has always asked me to be at her side when she starts her pregnancy journey and I am ready to not only be there for her full of knowledge, but I am looking forward to starting a career that is truly meant for me. I want to be of service to many women who need my compassionate and empathetic heart to lead them through this big journey.

I am raising funds so that I can attend International Doula Institute online. I did heavy research for the best online course and IDI fits what I am looking for. The perks of this course are not needing to recertify any of my certifications (like other online programs) and not needing to go to other online programs to take additional courses to complete the requirements. It will take me one year to complete this training. I will walk away with 8 Certificates to ensure that I am the best Doula to choose from. Many programs offer less than 5 certificates.

These 8 Certificates are:

1. Birth Doula Certification Program(CD)

2. Postpartum Doula Certification Program(CPD),

3. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Birth Workers

4. Certified Breastfeeding Counselor Program(CBC)

5. Certified Childbirth Educator Program(CBE)

6. Advanced Lactation 201(LC201)

7. Perinatal Nutrition Educator(CPNE)

8. Certified Prenatal Yoga Instructor Program(CPYI)

The entire 8 program course costs - $6320 upfront OR at $363.11/month for 18 months, totaling = $6535.18.

There is a requirement to buy 14 books which will cost an additional $200. This brings me to $6520 or $6735.18 (depending if I pay monthly or upfront). I will also be required to sit in on 3 live births (with no payment to me) before completion of the course OR sit in on 2 live births and take an additional birthing class for an additional $200. Which pushes the total to $6720 OR $6935.18. That is why I chose $7,000 for my asking goal. Please keep in mind this does not include the cost of notebooks, pens, or any additional school supplies.

If you cannot donate at this time, will you please share this with a friend and pass my goal along? Thank you in advance.

I am excited to lean into my calling!

Allie