To all of the long time followers of the Baltimore Doula Project, our organization is one of constant evolution as our volunteers come and go and the needs and interests of our core stakeholders—our doulas, our clients, our community members, our volunteers—evolve as well. With all of the changes, we often forget to take pause and show our gratitude for the work of our doulas and the support of our funders.
Recently, we were able to restart our doula program within the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women (MCIW). As a society, we often neglect that our reproductive needs do not stop when we are incarcerated. Find below a letter of thanks from one of our clients within MCIW. Someone we have been able to serve because of your support.
August 17, 2023
To The Doula Project,
I am writing this letter to your organization to express my gratitude. This program that is provided to us pregnant inmates is absolutely amazing. I enjoy the groups so much that at the end of Monday’s session I am literally on my homemade calendar counting down the days until the following Monday’s group. These sessions are therapeutic and they are great of rate soul. The information provided by these ladies is amazingly helpful and to think they don’t get paid to come and see us. I want to thank you all for not only being there as friends you could say but for all the services provided by your organization. I went from feeling helpless because I am pregnant and incarcerated unable to do things to prepare for when my daughter is born to feeling hopeful because I have a whole team of people who have my back.
I am sending my thanks to your entire team for all that you guys do and prove for us inmates who find ourselves hopeless in most situations involving our incarcerations, because of what services your program [provides] we are no longer helpless but hopeful. Thank you again for all you do.
I want to give a special thank you to Shelby and Jamira. These two ladies go above and beyond to help us [and are] always encouraging us, speaking up for us, and dealing with the comings and goings involved in providing a service at MCI-W. Thank you for all your time, dedication, and loyalty to us.
Sincerely,
A client of the BDP Prison Program
It has been a long time coming, but we are truly grateful for your continued presence and support of the Baltimore Doula Project and our work.