In the News
Genesis Birth Services has been featured across Pennsylvania and beyond — from NPR affiliates and statewide news outlets to Spanish-language media — for our work advancing birth equity, supporting incarcerated mothers, and advocating for every family's right to dignified care.
Operating under the motto "in the beginning and beyond," Genesis Birth Services is taking its services into a Pennsylvania correctional facility. Founder Gerria Coffee said: "All of those are priceless experiences and experiences that anyone who has given birth deserves."
Seven women at SCI Muncy are currently enrolled in the program, and Williamsport-based Genesis Birth Services is providing doula services. "What this program does is it separates the circumstance and it really focuses on the person," said founder Gerria Coffee.
Pennsylvania officials are hoping to combat the issue with a new program that connects pregnant inmates at SCI Muncy with doula services provided by Genesis Birth Services. "To have a program where someone is there for them when they are giving birth, it's immeasurable," Coffee said.
Genesis Birth Services will oversee the work with incarcerated parents at SCI Muncy. Founder Gerria Coffee says she wants the program to "separate the circumstance" of prison and give every birthing person holistic, dignified support.
Services for the program will be provided by Williamsport-based Genesis Birth Services. "Viewing parents as more than their circumstance by providing access to supportive resources will be instrumental in improving maternal morbidity and infant health outcomes," said founder Gerria Coffee.
A public-private partnership is bringing new pregnancy care services to one of Pennsylvania's state prisons. Genesis Birth Services will oversee the work with incarcerated parents, with funding from the Tuttleman Foundation.
Genesis Birth Services lleva sus servicios de doulas a la prision estatal SCI Muncy en Pennsylvania, brindando apoyo a madres encarceladas durante el embarazo, el parto y el postparto.
Gerria Coffee of Genesis Birth Services in Williamsport helps pregnant people plan their birth, advocates for them in labor, and cares for their newborns. She says environmental problems make pregnancy and parenting even more complicated for families of color.
Founded by Gerria Coffee, Genesis Birth Services offers doula support, childbirth education, and lactation support. "The disparities and the challenges that I faced as a new mother are the driving force behind what opened my eyes to everything that I'm doing now," Coffee said.
Gerria Coffee of Genesis Birth Services is on a mission to educate and foster understanding about racial disparities in breastfeeding. "The idea is to make resources available to all of the needs and beliefs and cultural practices that are in the area," Coffee said.
Gerria Coffee, owner and founder of Genesis Birth Services, has been working with Healthy Start Pittsburgh to provide free virtual doula services to moms. "We got over 77 referrals in our first six months and were able to support 32 births," said Healthy Start's director.
Lycoming County commissioners signed a proclamation celebrating August as Breastfeeding Awareness Month. Gerria Coffee of Genesis Birth Services addressed commissioners, calling human milk "our first natural vaccination" and urging community-wide support for breastfeeding families.
Video Feature
Watch coverage of the groundbreaking doula pilot program Genesis Birth Services launched inside SCI Muncy, bringing dignified birth support to incarcerated mothers in Pennsylvania.
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