Congratulations to the 2024/25 YVK Doula Graduates!

April 6, 2025

On March 30, after seven months of deep learning, dedication, and heart-centered work, ten students graduated from our Yiya Vi Kagingdi Full Spectrum Community Doula Training! This moment marks the continuation of a sacred legacy of care, advocacy, and cultural reclamation.

Our YVK Doula Training was created based on years of community conversations. The first training was offered in 2018 as a comprehensive and family-centered experience rooted within the teachings, values, and beliefs of Tewa Women United, and based in a Reproductive Justice framework. Doulas who train with us are able to provide culturally relevant care, advocacy, and support throughout the full spectrum of reproductive experiences. Our training weaves together resiliency practices and traditional birth knowledge, and is designed to provide students with valuable evidence-based information and hands-on experiences.
 
YVK doulas are trained in:

Our 2025 graduates now step forward to provide compassionate, culturally rooted care for families, honoring tradition while shaping the future of reproductive sovereignty in our communities. If you’re interested in requesting doula support for you and your family through the birthing process, learn more here.

We have so much appreciation for our Reproductive Justice Program staff: Wendolyne Omaña, Laura Cipres, and Aspen Mirabal. They, together, fostered an environment of care and guidance to the students through prayers and hard work. 

Gratitude to facilitators of the 2024-2025 YVK Full Spectrum Community Doula Training: F.A. Marie, Aspen Mirabal, and Kim Talachi; YVK Full-Spectrum Community Graduated Doulas and experienced birth workers, as well as Wendolyne Omaña, TWU’s RJPM, long time advocate of parental emotional health, experienced fertility continuance and postpartum doula, sobadora, nutritionist, traditional mexican medicine experienced practitioner; and Tintawi Kaigziabiher, African descent, Priest in the Lukumi tradition, and founder of the Our Earth Community Birth and Postpartum Attendant Doula Training Program.

Acknowledgement to the foundational work of the YVK Doula Training’s original creators: T’Saya Kathy Sanchez, Dr. Corrine Sanchez, Diana Halsey, Jessica Luján, Pilar Trujillo, Tauz TamuPovi, Hope Lehigh, Steph McCreary, and many more. 

Congratulations to this year’s doula graduates!

Please join us in celebrating this incredible milestone and the powerful work ahead for these graduates!

photo credits and special thanks to Luis Sanchez Saturno

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