Who We Are
The Birth Circle is an informational discussion and support group for pregnant women, their partners, and new parents in the Athens, Ohio area. It is a group that gathers once a month to share in each other's lives, creating a sense of community through the experience of parenthood.
The Birth Circle promotes a feeling of openness, encouraging women and their partners to share their thoughts or concerns about pregnancy, childbirth and parenting.
As a group, we explore all options available to birthing families, with emphasis on supporting each other while sharing resources that contribute to knowledge and understanding of alternatives.
In addition to the monthly meeting featuring guest speakers and discussion topics related to pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting, we also provide services such as Meals for Moms (free meals for families with new babies, prepared and delivered by Birth Circle volunteers), and a lending library of books, DVDs, and birth accessories. For more info on these and other programs, click here.
We are a 501-c-3 organization so all funds donated to our work are tax deductible.
To read the Bylaws of this organization click here.
Bios and Contact Info
Executive Director Molly Walesmolly.wales@yahoo.com
740-592-4408
Molly and her husband, Craig, had their first child in December 2006 at O'Bleness, with the help of doula Angela Cross. Before moving to Athens at the end of 2005, Molly lived in Albuquerque, NM where she worked as a political scheduler and magazine editor. She joined the Birth Circle’s board of directors in 2006 and served as the volunteer coordinator and director of programming until becoming the executive director in the fall of 2008. In her spare time Molly likes to dance, read, and chat with other mamas. Board Members
Melissa Bittner
nicholas.melissa@gmail.com
Melissa is a crafting, cooking, gardening mama living on the south side of Athens. She resides with her husband and their two sons, Wesley and Abram. Her first son was born in September of 2006 via cesarean section. In the winter of 2009, she birthed her second son via HBAC at her home with her two midwives, doula, husband and family dog looking on.
Jamey Bouwmeester
jamey_bbbs@yahoo.com
Jamey and his wife Kelley Evans had their first child in August 2007 in their home in rural Athens County. In the past, among other things, Jamey has been a professional bloodsucker (at a plasma center) and a troublemaker (nonviolent peace activist). Since 2006 he has worked for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Athens where he is currently the Executive Director.
Kelly Cooke
cooke.kelly@gmail.com
Kelly is mama to Iris (2007). She holds a Master's of Social Work and works part-time as a counselor for survivors of domestic violence. Kelly loves Athens and its support of families doing things a little differently.
Christina Thacker, Lending Library Coordinator
christinamthacker@yahoo.com
Tina and her husband Geoff live with their son Leland on the east side of Athens. Tina is originally from the Cleveland area and went to Ohio University, where she met her husband. The Thackers returned to Athens a couple of years ago to start their family and get involved in a community they love so much. Tina spends her days with Leland and also works as the director of the Leadership Athens County program.
Rob Kaminski, Vice President
740-592-2208
RobAthens@Gmail.com
Rob and his wife Skye are expecting their first child in the fall of 2008. Rob came to Athens from the Cleveland area in 1996 to attend Ohio University. He graduated with a BA in English Literature and Environmental Studies. He is committed to community development, especially in the areas of sustainable agriculture and waste reduction. He grows organic mushrooms at Mushroom Harvest/Green Edge Gardens Organic Farm in Amesville.
Katy Kropf
katykropf@yahoo.com
740-593-2516
Katy Attended Ohio University College of Osteopathic medicine and later completed her family medicine residency in Lansing, Michigan. Part of her training included care of pregnant women, catching babies, and caring for infants and children. She also has an interest in international medicine and has worked in Central America. She returned to Athens in the spring of 2008 to establish a family medicine practice and to teach at the Ohio University Medical School.
Cassie Meek-Waller, Play Group Coordinator
cassmee@yahoo.com
Cassie is the mother of two boys and an Athens native. She lives in Athens with her children and husband, Kevin. Cassie is an active member of both the Birth Circle and the La Leche League of Athens.
Liz Pahl, Treasurer
elizabethpahl@gmail.com
740-591-4105
In 2008, Liz and her husband Jason had their first child (Sofia) at O'Blenness Hospital. She has career experience in arts administration and event planning. She also holds a BS in Communications from Ohio University. Currently enrolled in the Masters of Public Administration program at Ohio University, Liz hopes to bring knowledge of non-profit management skills to the Birth Circle family. In spare time, Liz also loves to sing, play guitar, write songs and hang with her mama friends.
Lynda Rose
rose@frognet.net
740-594-9101
Lynda currently works as a Mechanical Lab Technician at Sunpower, Inc., graduating from OU Industrial Technology in 2004. She has two grown children who were born at home in the Athens area during the 1980’s while being a member/supporter of the Athens Birth Center. This past year both children had their own children born at home using the same birth attendants as when they were born! Lynda also has a teenager at home that was born emergency cesarean so understands and supports many faucets of birthing experiences. Lynda loves being outside and has been known to assist her grandchild in getting dirty!
Jody Shriver, Secretary
H: 740-557-3452
W: 740-797-2352
Jody is a mother of soon to be two – a little girl, Abby, born in June of 2007, and another baby due in September 2009. Jody is currently the Director for the Athens/Perry WIC Program and continues to do nutrition counseling for moms that are pregnant, nursing and postpartum, and kids ages 0-5. She resides with her family in Morgan Co. on a little patch of land with 6 chickens, 3 sheep, 2 goats, 2 cats and a rabbit. One piece of advice Jody has for moms or moms-to-be is to hold your baby as much as possible.
Hanna Vorisek, Meals for Moms Coordinator
hannavorisek@yahoo.com
Hanna, mom to Myles (April 2006) and Garrett (June 2008) and wife of Dan, moved to Athens in January of 2006 and has been an active member of the Birth Circle ever since. She has been the coordinator for Meals for Moms since 2006, except for a short time while she was getting adjusted to TWO boys! In all her spare time she loves to sew and read fun craft blogs.
Eleni Zulia, President
eleni.zulia@gmail.com
Eleni serves as the Vice Chair of the Birth Circle Board of Directors, bringing her background and education in nonprofits and the public sector work to the organization. She and her partner welcomed their daughter in the spring of 2008.