Ahava Care

We believe in the lifelong impact of compassionate care and community support during pregnancy, birth, and the parenting journey. For over 15 years, we have been dedicated to supporting the homeless community and those facing severe socioeconomic hardships in multiple regions of the world.

An estimated 15% of local mothers receive inadequate prenatal care due to distance, socioeconomic conditions, mental health, and substance abuse factors.
Preterm births are at 11% and rising yearly.
Less than half of uninsured women receive adequate prenatal care, and approximately 30% of all women receive no postpartum care.
These poor outcomes are even higher for women facing homelessnes and abuse.

In Stark County it’s estimated that well over 2000 people are currently experiencing homelessness. Of these, half are women and nearly 20% are children.

In Summit County, that number soars to well over 5000 homeless- with nearly 25% women and 20% children.

It is likely that the current numbers are much higher than reported.

Prenatal and Postnatal Clinical Care: 

We offer free or low cost compassionate prenatal and postnatal care, including prenatal vitamins, nutrition/lifestyle education, basic lab tests, and basic ultrasound. Trained in Trauma Informed Care, we strive to make pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenthood a positive experience, regardless of the circumstances. Our experience extends to working with mothers choosing adoption, teen parents, families struggling with addiction and mental health, and victims of abuse and trafficking.

We provide personalized care plans tailored to each family's needs, with prenatal and postnatal care available in our office or in-home/shelter facilities if needed. Prenatal care in homeless camps is also conducted in the Akron-Canton area when possible.

Participants are connected with additional community resources for aid, housing and employment. Births take place in a local hospital with a hospital-based provider. We will connect you with a no-cost Doula that can provide emotional, educational and physical support to you during labor at the hospital.
Assistance with obtaining government aid and insurance is also provided.

Lactation Support: 

We offer one-on-one lactation consultations to promote successful breastfeeding, significantly reducing infant mortality and lifelong illness.

Educational Classes:

Our free or low-cost classes cover prenatal care, childbirth education, postpartum recovery, infant care, and gentle parenting. Workshops are conducted by experienced professionals, focusing on both medical and holistic approaches.

Essential Supplies: 

We distribute necessary supplies such as vitamins, maternity clothing, diapers, baby clothes, nursing pads, pumps, bottles, and other postpartum items.

Additionally, we provide hygiene kits, outdoor gear, and food bags for the homeless in Akron, Canton, and surrounding communities. 

Ways to Get Involved:

Donate:  

Your contributions help us provide essential services and supplies to families in need. Our professional services and time are on a volunteer basis. Funding and supply donations are needed for labs, ultrasound, vitamins, hygiene kits, food bags, pregnancy supplies, and postpartum/ baby supplies that are provided to participants. If you would like to donate supplies, please email below to arrange pickup of your donation. Monetary donations of all sizes are greatly appreciated and can be made here.

Paid Services:

If you are a client paying full cost for any of our services, a portion goes to funding Ahava Care programs.

Partner: 

Collaborate with us to make a lasting impact in our community through joint initiatives and events.

By supporting Ahava Care, you are helping to repair the world with love, one person, birth, and family at a time. Together, we can ensure that every person is loved and has access to the care, support, and resources they need to thrive.

To support Ahava Care or to apply for Ahava Care—for yourself or someone else—please reach out!