The Portland Time Bank - A Community Organization

The Portland Time Bank is part of an international, community-led organization that believes each person has a skill that someone else finds valuable. The basic premise is that members offer services (everything from accounting to massage to grocery shopping) and other members pick and choose what they need help with. Money never changes hands at the Time Bank.

For example, let's say you need a garden bed dug. You can post securely online or through a Time Bank Coordinator that you are looking for help or search out other members who list that skill. Once you find someone to dig your garden bed, you pay them one time dollar for every hour worked.

If it took the person 3 hours to dig your garden bed, then you have gone into "time dollar debt" by 3 dollars. There is no time frame for when you have to pay your time dollar debt off, but the premise is that you will then offer your unique services to someone else.

Now let's say that you offer guitar lessons and someone requests 5 hours of lessons from you. After those 5 hours you have paid off your 3 dollar debt and earned yourself 2 time dollars. And so the process continues....services provided and received without the exchange of money.

Joining is simple and requires no money, just a quick form to fill out and approval from the organization. Once you join you can request someone to sit down with you to explain how it all works or jump right in and start trading your time. If you would like to contact someone to learn more, email Jesse at pdxtimebank@gmail.com

Molly Fitzpatrick, Time Bank member since 2005, has this to say about the Time Bank, "At the Time Bank everyone's time is valued equally and everyone has something to give. If we all do what we love to do, everything gets taken care of."

Kid’s and Maternity Clothes Swap

If you missed Nurture's last Naked Baby Party (don't worry, there will be more) you can always check out the kid's and maternity clothing swap hosted by PDXSwap on Sunday, March 8 at St. John's Library from 1:00 - 3:00.

PDXSwap has become a cornerstone in the Portland area for women and families who are looking to swap their wares. Space is limited to 22 folks, so be sure to RSVP by Saturday, February 28th by sending them an email (pdxkidswap@gmail.com) with the sizes you will be participating in and the number of guests you are bringing.

How
Gather up unwanted, outgrown and clean maternity and children's clothes and accessories and bring them to the swap. Your clothes should be in good condition with no rips, tears or stains. Your accessories should be in working order and clean.

There are no minimum requirements for how many items you have to bring or how many you can take, but PDXSwap does ask that you are courteous and generous.

It's okay to bring in different sizes than you want to leave with. And of course, don't forget to bring a bag to carry your treasures home.

When
Sunday, March 8th
1:00pm to 3:00pm
Note: This is the Sunday of the Spring time change, don't forget to set your clocks ahead.

1:00 - 1:30 - Size 7 to 14+ (Kid Sizes)
1:30 - 2:00 - Size 2T to 6x (Child Sizes)
2:00 - 2:30 - Preemie to 24 months and maternity clothing (Baby and Mommy-to-be sizes)

Be sure to arrive a little early before your swap.

Where
St. John's Library in the meeting room (to the left toward the back of the library)
7510 N Charleston Avenue (at Lombard)
Portland, Or 97203
503.988.5397

More Details
Space is limited to 22 people and PDXSwap asks that you leave children at home if possible or try to bring someone to read with them in the library while swapping.

Clothes will be separated into size groups and marked with signs. The swap will begin as soon as everyone has finished placing their clothes in the appropriate size piles.

Items that do not get swapped will be donated to low income and high needs families in the Portland community (YES!)
If you have any questions about the swap or want to get on their email list, contact pdxkidswap@gmail.com

Nurture Welcomes Courtney Jarecki

Nurture warmly welcomes Courtney Jarecki to our group. Courtney is a doula offering services throughout pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Support. Compassion. Energy. Birth. Dance. Movement. Ceremony. Freedom. Life. Joy. Love.

There is nothing on earth more amazing and humbling than witnessing a mama give birth. I strongly believe in the beauty and power of a woman’s body to birth and am honored to be a part of this experience.

For a lot of people, the concept of a Doula is a very new thing. Often, women don't have built‐in family support and a Doula can fill the gap for the new family by providing knowledge, compassion and practical support during this very important childbearing year. I am trained to provide Doula support during three different times of your childbearing year; pregnancy, labor and postpartum. My ongoing academic and professional experiences include training at Birthingway College of Midwifery, working as a Postpartum Doula at an established birthing center and research and training as I move towards becoming a Midwife. Throughout my work and responsibilities, I maintain a flexible schedule to ensure you will never be without Doula support.

Outside of the birthing world, I love spending time with my amazing husband Dave and puppies Satchel and Maji. Dancing, cooking, meeting friends for tea and hiking are favorite activities and most recently learning to crochet has occupied much of my time as well. I look forward to speaking with you about your baby and birth. Please feel free to call or email to ask questions.

Antepartum Doula
As an Antepartum Doula, I will support you later in your pregnancy. Antepartum services can be especially helpful if you are a single or teen mom, have multiple children, are on bed rest, have severe morning sickness or have emotional trauma. I will provide informational, emotional, physical and practical support during your pregnancy with pregnancy massage, meal planning, educational labor preparation.

Labor Doula
My work as a Labor Doula means I will provide you with continuous physical, emotional and informational support before, during and just after birth. I will be there for you, your partner and baby after delivery to help in whatever way best serves you. I can assist with birth plans, birth art, pain coping techniques (massage and touch, positioning, breathing, meditation and visualization, vocalization, aromatherapy and healing energy techniques), pregnancy and postpartum diet and fitness designed to ease labor and recovery, Reiki healing, and creative expression and relationship / birth coaching. This time is all about you and what works best for your family. If time allows, we will meet two‐to‐three times prenatally where we will get to know each other. We can incorporate any modalities that you and your family need.

Postpartum, we will meet once, during which we will share your birth story and discuss all the challenges and joys that lay ahead. You will also receive any needed breastfeeding support during this time.

Postpartum Doula
Postpartum is a special and sometimes trying time for a new family. I can help ease this transition by providing lactation consulting, infant care techniques, meal planning and cooking, gentle yoga and exercise options, natural healing, light housekeeping, dog walking, nanny care and companionship.

Fees
I believe that all families should be able to afford Doula services and all Doulas should be able to pay their mortgages. Therefore I offer my services on a sliding scale, based on what each family can pay. I am happy to discuss pricing options and payment plans with each family and am open to barter and trade.

Antepartum & Postpartum Doula Services: $25 ‐ $35 per hour with a 4 hour minimum.
Labor Doula: During certification process I only ask for reimbursement of transportation and
food expenses, usually between $50 ‐ $75.
After certification: $400 ‐ $700. Includes 3 prenatal visits (if time allows), full labor and delivery support, 1 postpartum visit. Additional prenatal visits are available, based on a sliding scale.

Gift certificates are available.

Courtney Jarecki,

Doula and Health Advocate

503.737.8834

courtney.jarecki@gmail.com