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Want to teach your infant or toddler basic American Sign Language so you can communicate with them before they can even speak? Or are you an expectant mother who wants more information about what to expect during your pregnancy and after you give birth?
Then you’ll want to sign up for free workshops sponsored by the nonprofit Birthworkers of Color Collective coming up in April. The events launch the collective’s new “Village of Care” initiative, which include not only monthly workshops but a new Free & Sliding Scale Doula Services Program.
Village of Care Workshops
At both April events, the organization will offer light snacks, refreshments, and infant donation items for expectant families (while supplies last):
Baby and Me ASL: Learn American Sign Language basics to communicate with babies and toddlers before they can speak.
When: Thursday April 9 from 6–8 pm
Where: Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Hagåtña
Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum 101: A comprehensive guide to navigating every stage of pregnancy and preparing for the critical weeks following birth.
When: Thursday April 16 from 6–8 pm
Where: Sinajana Mayor’s Office, Sinajana
How to Join: Interested participants are encouraged to RSVP via email at [email protected].
BWOCC Executive Director Stevie Merino, gives a demonstration at "Where Love Remains," a community gathering for grief and remembrance for pregnancy, birth, infant and child loss, at Sagan Kotturan CHamoru Cultural Center in February.
(all photos courtesy of Gilayna Santos, BWOCC Guam Program Coordinator)
In the following months, the collective will be offering workshops on different topics, led by trained doulas with different backgrounds and expertise, said Guam Program Coordinator Gilayna Santos. She was one of the first doulas trained by BWOCC when the Long Beach-based nonprofit launched on Guam in 2023.
The doula leading the Baby and Me ASL class is Kirsten Rosario, a local interpreter who teaches ASL at Guam Community College. “She's currently the only doula we have that knows American Sign Language on Guam,” Gilayna said.
Doula Linda Kasio teaches a village educational at the Berea Evangelical Church in Santa Ana, Dededo, in November 2025.
The Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum 101 class would be especially helpful for those who have been unable to access prenatal services because of the shortage of OB-GYNs on island, according to Gilayna. At last year’s workshops, “we were getting a lot of walk-ins that didn't know what was happening to their bodies. Some of them hadn't even had a prenatal appointment yet, and they were very far along, but didn't know exactly how far along. They just remembered when they stopped having their period. … And at every workshop we had brought donations for families to take, like baby clothes, bottles, diapers, things like that — and we did them in different languages too.”
Locally trained Guam doulas, local yo'amtes and BWOCC staff gathered in February.
Village of Care Initiative
In addition to the monthly workshops, the collective’s new “Village of Care” initiative includes a new Free & Sliding Scale Doula Services Program.
BWOCC acts as a hub for a freelance network of doulas, who set their own rates for the customized services they offer expectant mothers, according to Gilayna. The collective’s new program ensures that families with financial need can still access culturally relevant care. Depending on eligibility, families may qualify for reduced-cost or entirely free doula services to guide them through the birthing journey.
Local doulas and family members join a tabling outreach event at the Micronesia Mall in March.
A national review of 23 studies on the impact of doulas on maternal and children’s health indicated that community-based doulas serve as vital guides for mothers in underserved communities — including low-income and immigrant women — by providing support that is both culturally familiar and practical.
Beyond emotional coaching, doulas help families navigate a complex health-care system by breaking down barriers like lack of insurance, transportation issues, and confusing medical jargon, according to the review.
Connect with BWOCC
To learn more about doula services, register for workshops, or find community resources, residents can reach out through the following channels:
Website: birthworkersofcolor.com/guam
Instagram: @birthworkersofcolor
Email: [email protected]
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