SOUTH SIDE HEALTHY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCES FREE DOULA SERVICES FOR SOUTH SIDE RESIDENTS

SOUTH SIDE HEALTHY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCES FREE DOULA SERVICES FOR SOUTH SIDE RESIDENTS

CHICAGO – The South Side Healthy Community Organization (SSHCO), a state-funded nonprofit healthcare collaborative working to close health gaps across Chicago’s South Side, announced a free doula services program, delivered in partnership with Chicago Birthworks Collective (CBC). The program provides expectant parents who are uninsured or covered by Medicaid with no-cost doula care, including 3 prenatal visits, 2 postpartum visits, birth and postpartum preparation and education, labor and delivery support, and postpartum wellness services. Responding to persistent inequities in maternal health outcomes, this partnership will provide more than 80 families across Chicago’s South Side with free, trusted, culturally centered care throughout pregnancy and beyond.

“Inequities in maternal healthcare on the South Side are not inevitable. They are the result of systemic gaps in access and trusted care,” said Kimberly Hobson, CEO of SSHCO. “Doulas play a critical role in improving continuity of care and ensuring families are heard and supported at one of the most vulnerable moments in their lives. By investing in this program, SSHCO is embedding that support into the healthcare experience and building a model that addresses these systemic gaps.”

According to the Illinois Maternal Mortality Data Report released last month by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Black women in Illinois were three times as likely to die from pregnancy-related medical conditions than white women during 2021-2022.

SSHCO’s partnership with CBC is designed to directly confront these inequities by ensuring consistent, culturally affirming support at every stage of pregnancy and postpartum care. CBC’s doulas provide emotional support, evidence-based guidance, and advocacy, helping parents navigate complex healthcare systems and self-advocate with greater confidence.

“Too many Black mothers in our communities continue to face preventable risks during pregnancy and childbirth,” said Tayo Oyafemi Mbande, Co-Founder and CEO of CBC. “Culturally competent maternal care is not optional, but essential. Support from our doulas restores dignity to the birthing experience, allows families to feel empowered and safe on their parenthood journey, and ultimately saves lives. We are proud to partner with SSHCO to ensure more families on the South Side receive the care and respect they deserve.”

“Every parent deserves to feel supported, respected and safe throughout their pregnancy journey,” said Keyonna Tompkins, Maternal Health Program Manager at SSHCO. “By partnering with Chicago Birthworks Collective, we are not only removing financial barriers but also ensuring families receive care that reflects their culture, values and lived experiences. This program is about restoring trust and dignity in maternal healthcare on the South Side of Chicago.”

Incorporated in the fall of 2021, SSHCO was established through the State of Illinois’ Healthcare Transformation Collaboratives initiative to address long-standing health disparities by coordinating care across medical and social systems on the South Side. Serving 15 ZIP codes and prioritizing residents who are uninsured or covered by Medicaid, SSHCO operates as a community-wide network, active in clinics and emergency rooms. The organization subsidizes 90 new primary care and obstetrics providers, as well as 50 new specialists, and embeds Community Health Workers and nurse care coordinators directly into these care settings, bringing much-needed medical professionals back into these neighborhoods. SSHCO’s new doula services program reflects this model, advancing maternal health equity by providing consistent support designed to reduce maternal mortality and improve health outcomes for expectant parents.

If you or someone you know is expecting and could benefit from doula support during pregnancy, call 872-274-4688 or visit SouthSideHealthyCommunity.com to learn more and enroll.

South Side Healthy Community Organization (SSHCO) is a nonprofit healthcare collaborative made possible through funding from the State of Illinois’ Healthcare Transformation Collaboratives initiative. SSHCO brings together 13 healthcare partners across Chicago’s South Side, including hospitals, health centers, and community-based organizations working together to strengthen community-centered healthcare. SSHCO addresses pressing health disparities by integrating medical care with social supports such as housing, transportation, and access to food and benefits. Since its launch in 2021, SSHCO has screened more than 18,000 individuals and enrolled over 6,400 into coordinated care, helping residents live healthier, longer lives with dignity. By addressing both medical needs and the life circumstances that shape health, SSHCO is building a stronger, more equitable South Side for generations to come.

Rooted on the South Side and serving a community of BIPOC families, Chicago Birthworks Collective provides culturally centered doula support through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Their mission is to empower parents as they navigate one of the most meaningful chapters of their lives, ensuring families are supported and informed every step of the way.

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