Sistas Caring 4 Sistas is just that: Sistas who co-create safe spaces and assist birthing individuals in empowering themselves by creating support centered care that is targeted towards increasing positive birth experiences and outcomes that promote healthy families driving community connections.
Sistas Caring 4 Sistas
is a community-based doula program committed to birth equity, social justice, and reducing health disparities for women and infants of color.
Our Past
Sistas Caring 4 Sistas was founded in November 2016 by Nikita Smart, Wakina Robertson, Sade Mustakem, and Cindy McMillan—all active members of the Mothering Asheville movement. At that time, babies born to women of color in Buncombe County were three times more likely to die in the first year of life than white babies.
When the founders learned that having doula support could help reverse this trend, they were offered to pursue Doula trainings offered through local DONA Doula Trainer, Chama Woydak.
Our Present
After earning their training certificates in 2016, Sistas Caring 4 Sistas began providing doula services for birthing individuals and their families within Buncombe County, North Carolina. SC4S services uniquely include supporting birthing individuals at various stages of pregnancy with a “meet you were you are at approach”. If you request support at 5 week or 39 weeks, we walk the journey with you. These support services included Birth Doula Support, Breastfeeding Counseling and Support, and Postpartum Support.
In an effort to support our community with a holistic approach to maternal heath inequities / disparities, each Certified Doula have successfully pursued additional trainings in Childbirth Education, Lactation Education, Triple P Parenting Education, Extended postpartum (after-birth care), as well as Peer Support Certification for women who have mental health and/or substance use challenges.
To date, Sistas Caring 4 Sistas has supported more than 200 women through pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum; and welcome new client’s every day.
Our Future
Sistas Caring 4 Sistas is just that: Sistas who co-create safe spaces and assist birthing individuals in empowering themselves by creating support centered care that is targeted towards increasing positive birth experiences and outcomes that promote healthy families driving community connections.
More About Us
Sistas Caring 4 Sistas vision is to eradicate disparities in maternal and infant mortality by providing education and doula services before, during, and after pregnancy for families who face adverse maternal health outcomes. Our Mission is to, Support, Provide, Ensure, Inform, and Assist in growing equitable outcomes for Families and Communities of Color.
If you’d like to learn more about the history of our doula program, we encourage you to explore these news articles.
- The Secret of Saving the Lives of Black Mothers and Babies, Politico Magazine
- 'Sistas' Aim to Reduce Disparities in the Delivery Room, Blue Ridge Public Radio
- Stories from Mothers of Color Spur New Effort in Buncombe County to Fight Infant Mortality, Asheville Citizen-Times
Call us
828-620-9828
828-620-9828
to learn how our doulas could support you or a friend or family member.
