THE SHORE GRACE DIFFERENCE
Formally named Mothering Mother Postpartum Doula Services ,Shore Grace was founded to support women during those trying weeks after delivery, and to meet the growing need of postpartum support in our Eastern Shore Community. We realized that what our community lacked was full-service, wraparound support for the family during this transitional time. Women and families not only need support during Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum, but also love and grace to walk them through every phase of this new time in their lives.
So many things may arise while welcoming a new baby into the home and we want to be able to serve our clients no matter what new thing they are facing. Rather it’s the supportive hand of a doula, the listening ear of a counselor, or the discovery of self-healing from a coach, we want to be able to meet families where they are in the journey.
It is our goal to be at the hands and feet of all women. To empower them. To push them beyond what they think they are capable of. To nurture them, and to provide them and their families with non-judgmental collaborative services so that they can crush any goal that they set for themselves. Every family that has the Shore Grace Experience will walk away feeling Confident and Comfortable in their new parenting roles, and ready for success with their family dynamics.
"Give light and people will find the way."
- ELLA BAKER
IN THIS SECTION:
MEET MEISHA
MEET THE SHORE GRACE FAMILY
OUR LOVE NOTES
My name is Meisha Shockley and I’m eager to meet you. Having a baby is the most rewarding and yet the most terrifying transition a woman can go through. I’m a momma to three beautiful girls, each with their own unique birth stories. However, it wasn’t until the birth of my third daughter did I start to follow my heart and fully dive into this doula journey. I’ve spent most my life supporting women and families and never knew I could make this into a career. I spent countless days volunteering at a local pregnancy center guiding the mothers there and each day that went by, I longed for more time to spend with them. After college, I took on a full-time case management job where I served the mental health community. There, I was drawn to parents experiencing postpartum anxiety and or depression. I found myself requesting to work with clients who were mothers and struggling with their transition into motherhood.
At 24 weeks pregnant with my second daughter I was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia and was admitted to the hospital where at 27, weeks I would deliver a 1lb 6.9oz miracle baby. I was forced to quit my job so that I could support my baby in her healing. After 70 long days in the NICU we came home and while I was extremely blessed to be able to stay at home with her and my oldest daughter, something in me yearned for more. Just 4 short months after arriving home we found ourselves expecting our third baby girl. Once home with baby number three, I started researching what I could do to help women in my community while still being available to my three girls and I came across the ProDoula website. I had finally found a name for the passion I’ve had since I was a child. A Doula.
I feel that I especially have a responsibility to Black Women. Our Maternal Mental Health is often ignored and misunderstood. Being your doula does not mean that you will be immune to this outcome. Being your doula does not guarantee you a perfect birth or postpartum. But being your doula does mean I have an opportunity to break generational habits, heal ancestral wounds, and raise a new generation of healthy black mothers.
I'm so happy you are here...
FAVORITE QOUTE
WHEN I'M NOT LOVIN' ON MOMMAS AND BABIES YOU CAN FIND ME IN...
“I am an example of what is possible when girls from the very beginning of their lives are loved and nurtured by people around them. I was surrounded by extraordinary women in my life who taught me about quiet strength and dignity.”
- Michelle Obama
Any store Christmas shopping
Cheesecake Factory
My husband's arms
New cities feeding my wanderlust
Target
love and grace
Let's Chat! We'd love to hear all about how we can serve your family.
i'm ready for a free consultation
Do you have the heart to serve women and their families? Are you looking to be apart of a group of empowered women making a positive impact on how families are cared for on the eastern shore?
Then I want to hear from you!
Tell us about your qualifications. Include where you are located and your experience working with women and their families. Prospective doulas must be willing to complete in person training. Please send resume and cover letter to info@shoregracefamily.org
WHAT WE OFFER
DOULA
COUNSELING
HEALTH
The support of a doula can help you have a more positive birth and postpartum experience. It is our goal to provide our clients with physical, emotional, and informational support that leads them to a more empowered transition into parenthood.
We provide your family with support from a professional counselor to promote self-healing. Our compassionate team is experienced in providing support in areas including Maternal Mental Health, Grief & Trauma, and Marriage and Family.
We want to help families on the Eastern Shore feel nurtured and strengthen. We serve families through Placenta Encapsulation, Health Coaching , and Energy Healing (Reiki) to provide them with the holistic support they desire.
LEARN MORE
LEARN MORE
LEARN MORE
- Amanda
What I love most about life is the opportunity to experience. I love knowing that I have the power to attract what I want to experience. I’m grateful I was gifted with such knowledge before starting our family. I now get to pass down this gift to the next generation and raise empowered beings. Also, I get the chance to share this life with my spouse who supports all my wild endeavors 100%, even while skeptical. He challenges me from a place of love and growth. I’m thankful he found me and my broken self when he did. I started off shy, low self-esteem and constant anxiety. I was afraid to speak up. I was emotionally and sexually abused. I was terrified to live. I tried to hide everything beautiful about me. At one point my anxiety was so strong it hurt to get out of bed. I was living my life for someone else. I was living my life to please people around me that could care less about my wellbeing. There is an epidemic of unbalanced energy within us. A growing epidemic of anxiety, depression and a yearning for something more in life. We are told to silence our hurt and suck it up. As we silence ourselves, the pain and hurt grows into a vicious cycle that destroys us from the inside out. Through constant self-reflection, digging deep into my shadow self and inner child healing I feel I have found a way to heal those pieces that felt empty and needed love. I grew up with a gift to guide others towards self-empowerment and to take action. To take charge of their life. I spent a large part of my life helping my friends stand up for themselves and take action in their relationships. These women did not see their worth and allowed someone else to treat them wrongly. I love working with women because I love bringing out the goddess within! Our world is in need of more goddess energy. Every woman has this energy within and it’s time to let it loose! It’s not to be wild and free again.
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Trade school and studied cosmetology
Wor-Wic Community College with her associates in Business Management
Reiki Master
certification in the Rites of the Munay Ki and AromaTouch
Owner of Natural rEvolution , an organic bath and skin care line that is Reiki and crystal infused
doula program through International Doulas,
Certified life coach
hypnosis certification
Buti Yoga instructor
FORMALITIES:
AMANDA
- Becky
I am a single mom of two kids who is just trying to get through the trenches of motherhood
with a smile on my face and a chocolate bar in my hand. My passions include reading dirty romance novels and being able to go to the bathroom without a toddler staring into my eyes… Right after I had my first child I knew several people who also had babies around the same time that felt pressured by their families, the lactation consultants, and even random people just walking down the street about the feeding choice they made for their family. Sadly, a
lot of those that chose to breastfeed
in the beginning gave up due to the mounting opinions and pressure from others. I knew just by talking to these women that I could make a difference; I could lessen that burden upon them. I could give them someone who will tell them the facts and let them make the choice that works for them. I could give them non-judgmental support for the decisions that work for their family, and that’s exactly what I did. I went to school to learn about human lactation, I completed over 550 hours at an internship program, all to be able to help women and their families make the best decision. During my internship I also learned about doula work, I felt so drawn to this path that I dived in head first and haven’t looked back. What I have learned as a doula came very naturally to me, it felt like it was something I have always been doing. While this is a newer endeavor professionally for me the passion for helping women and their families has only grown with each family I work with.
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ProDoula Postpartum and Infant Care Doula
Lactation Education Resources Certified Breastfeeding Specialist 2017
Wor-Wic Community College Associate of Arts Degree 2009-2012
Certified Breastfeeding Specialist June 18, 2017
BLS Certification July 12, 2017
CPR Certification March 16, 2017
HIPPA Trained Certification June 14, 2017
Occupational Safety & Security Certification April 21, 2017
FORMALITIES:
becky
- LyVea
Hello Everyone, my name is LyVea!
My love for wanting to understand women and their mental health came about while doing an internship at the Veteran Affairs Hospital in the Women’s Mental Health department. I’ve always been intrigued by birth and development. I have an associate’s in Social Science, and currently pursuing a
Bachelor’s of Science in Behavioral Science at Wilmington University with certifications in Child Advocacy Studies and Trauma-Informed Approaches. I look forward to continuing to be educated on the importance of child birth and mental health of the entire family!
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Internship at the Veteran Affairs Hospital in the Women’s Mental Health Department
associate’s in Social Science
Currently Pursing Bachelors of Science in Behavioral Science at Wilmington University with certifications
in Child Advocacy Studies and Trauma-Informed Approaches
FORMALITIES:
lyvea
- Katie
My name is Katie Yockey. I have two beautiful daughters, whom I breastfed and loved the bond built by breastfeeding. I currently homeschool my two girls, ages 9 and 15. I enjoy encouraging mothers and helping them through postpartum emotions that often arise during breastfeeding struggles. I completed my Lactation Consultant Training with Lactation Education Resources and have 9 years of experience helping breastfeeding mothers. Over the years I gained a lot of experience helping many mothers overcome difficult breastfeeding issues and breastfeed long term. I have had success and experience helping with premature babies, non-latching infants transition from bottle to breast, flat and inverted nipples, low milk supply, tongue and lip tie and many other issues. In my free time, I enjoy drawing, painting and creative writing. In addition, I love the outdoors and enjoy kayaking, hiking and bike riding with my daughters. I became a Lactation Consultant because I want to help mothers experience the loving bond that is built by breastfeeding so they can overcome difficulties and enjoy the special time with their babies.
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Bachelor' s degree in Christian Counseling from Zoe University
Lactation Consultant Training with Lactation Education Resources
Over 9 years of experience helping breastfeeding mothers
FORMALITIES:
katie
- Makya
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been presented with positive images of women, particularly
the ones who raised me. I realized that exposure to, and influence of, the magical women in my life
shaped my values - of love, strength, generosity, and compassion. A mixture of that compassion and the reality of Baltimore’s inner city quickly rerouted my life’s destiny. I couldn’t ignore the plight and
traumas of those around me, and realized that we each have a responsibility to our communities.
Finding a focus when community and social issues are so broad can be tough but what better place to start than at the core? The trajectory of the world lies at the hands and/or wombs of women, and a world that neglects the health and wellness of its women is a world bound for destruction. We know that prioritizing women’s health can lift communities out of poverty but generally speaking, prioritizing women - period - can lift a nation. My only hope is to be a vessel in that elevation.
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•Bachelor of Arts, Political Science (Towson University)
•Bachelor of Arts, Sociology-Anthropology (Towson University)
*currently pursuing a Master of Social Work ( Salisbury University)
Trainings:
•Mental Health First Aid
Trauma Tools & Responses Training
FORMALITIES:
makya
- Chrissy
Maternal Mental Health has always been near and dear to my heart at an early age. My youngest
brother was born with microcephaly, which is a condition where the head circumference is smaller than normal. First hand I witnessed my mother attend appointment after appointment with limited support. The stress was present with no outlet to turn to. I am a mother of two children ages 10 and 4. Each pregnancy was different and I also struggled with postpartum depression. Knowing what the symptoms were and being able to seek resources I was able to get through the difficult times in my pregnancy, but it was not easy. There are so many changes that happen as families grow and develop with the passing years, and I’m here to help with these transitions.
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Licensed Certified Social Worker Clinical (LCSW-C)
BA in Social Work with a minor in Psychology.
Over 8 years of experience in a variety of setting with diverse clients, including long term and brief
interventions.
FORMALITIES:
chrissy
- Leslie
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I have been a registered nurse for 37 years. I have worked as a Behavioral Health Counselor,
Psychiatric Nurse Manager, and presently Nurse Manager at Eastern Shore Pregnancy Center. But my
most heartfelt joy was sensing God’s will for my life as I have served the past 25 years as a counselor to victims of abuse, codependency, and abortion. Because of my personal experience in these areas, I felt led to share my own story of healing from abortion, sexual, physical, emotional and mental abuse in my novel, Forgiven Much. My hope is that my story can offer a “light at the end of a very dark tunnel” –that light being Jesus Christ!
Through my many contacts, I have found that an epidemic number of women have experienced some form of abuse. Sadly, many of them don’t realize the long-term cost abuse has on their lives, and the resulting effect it has on the choices they make as adults. Consequently, they often suffer with poor self- image, depression, substance abuse and relational dysfunction, especially with men, and often with their children. This affects the family dynamic, and can lead to generations of non-adaptive families. I had a lot of broken pieces when Jesus found me, but the Master Potter put me back together—and so much better than before. Because of that, God has called me to help other women realize their brokenness is not the end—but the beginning of a beautiful and enriching journey with the lover of their soul. It’s my passion and my calling
When I’m not serving families I’m camping, swimming, and leading a Christian singles group in my spare time.
Nazarene Bible College to earn her degree in Counseling for Christian Ministries
Certified Prepare/Enrich marriage counselor
registered nurse for 37 years
FORMALITIES:
Leslie
- Paula
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What drives my passion to work with women and families is that I truly believe women are the
backbone and the support of their families and communities. I began my career as a nursing assistant
working with women, a long time ago. I often found the work limiting and wasn’t able to spend enough time with clients to learn more of the help needed. At this same time I was growing my own family and decided to stay at home with my children while returning to school. My heart was calling me to learn another way to help others. I one day happened into the Social Work Department at Salisbury University. While there, it was if my answers were resolved. I gained a calling to become a Social Worker and learn to help advocate for women and women with families. Through my education and trainings, I have learned how to assist, advocate, and empower women. Since this time I have worked with women who have been marginalized by government and/or institutions. I have assisted women empower themselves to succeed and move towards self-sufficiency. It has been very rewarding to assist in the change process, and I truly feel blessed. I began my career in social work because I felt limited in how I could help others. Now as I continue to learn, I truly am moved to assist others and resolve limitations. I came to recognize I quote that speaks to me personally, “A strong woman learns to stand on her own. A stronger woman learns to help others stand”. I think this quote speaks to my passion and drive to assist women and families.
