The Priscilla Project

The Priscilla Project is an innovative health-mentoring program that connects vulnerable women in the midst of medical crisis with stable female mentors. Recognizing the critical need for pregnancy health in the refugee community, the Priscilla Project works to facilitate access to community benefits and resources to improve birth outcomes and maternal health. Relationships are at the heart of this ministry, and as mentors commit to weekly meetings with their mentee, pregnant refugee women are equipped to face challenges related to housing, language, pregnancy, and parenting. The program also utilizes monthly educational sessions and referrals to increase participants’ understanding of cultural systems and knowledge related to breastfeeding, infant care, and prenatal nutrition. The Priscilla Project clients come from over 20 different countries, and the majority are from cultures where prenatal care is not available.

• Of the 151 women enrolled in The Priscilla Project this year, 89 were paired with a one-on-one mentor for intensive assistance. All participants benefited from access to a doula, a woman trained to provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support before, during, and immediately following childbirth. The Priscilla Project, in conjunction with Life Cycles Center, has trained doulas from 7 countries.
• We anticipate serving over 250 at-risk refugee women in the upcoming year.

Get involved! Click here for volunteer opportunities.

For more information on The Priscilla Project, contact Karen Forster 

at: karen.forster@jrm-buffalo.org