"It was a great place to meet other moms who know what I am going through and can offer support."
-Leah
The Beginnings
Photo by Isaac Quesada on Unsplash
Kitsap HOPE Circle was launched in 2012 by Crystal Gurney. At that time, there were no support groups of this type in Kitsap county for the many moms and babies in our area. The group uses the Group Peer Support (GPS) Support Group model to create a safe, welcoming environment where parents can share their reality and be supported in a non-judgmental environment.
Kitsap HOPE Circle is sponsored by Perinatal Support Washington (PS-WA), a wonderful resource for postpartum parents in Washington state. We are able to offer our current group in Silverdale due to the generosity of our host site - Blossom Baby.
Kitsap HOPE Circle is sponsored by Perinatal Support Washington (PS-WA), a wonderful resource for postpartum parents in Washington state. We are able to offer our current group in Silverdale due to the generosity of our host site - Blossom Baby.
Who goes to a HOPE Circle group?
Photo courtesy Ashley Myers/Leah Scholten
Any pregnant or postpartum person is welcome to join us. Some folks come while they are pregnant, some wait until after baby arrives. Being a part of a support group like HOPE Circle can help reduce risk of developing PMAD (perinatal mood and anxiety disorder) and it can also be a part of finding help & support after a diagnosis of PMAD.
Birthing and parenting people come to Kitsap HOPE Circle for many reasons both before and after baby arrives:
Birthing and parenting people come to Kitsap HOPE Circle for many reasons both before and after baby arrives:
- feeling alone or isolated
- feeling overwhelmed
- they experienced PMAD with a prior pregnancy/baby
- family support is lacking or family is out of the area
- experienced a traumatic birth
- dealing with a colicky or challenging baby
- support for dealing with a diagnosis of postpartum depression
- needing a safe place to speak their truth about parenthood
- feelings of anxiety or intrusive thoughts
- wanting a place to talk about many emotional changes & challenges that come with being a birthing person
- AND MANY, MANY MORE REASONS!!
Our Facilitators
Megan Jennings: Certified MotherWoman & GPS trained Perinatal Support Group Facilitator
Megan lives in East Bremerton with her husband Casey and their son Colin. They love their many pets: Mango the cat, Sam - an Alaskan Klee Kai , a coop of chickens and 100 gallon Reef as well as freshwater tanks with many fish. Megan's favorite movie is "My Fair Lady" with Audrey Hepburn. Megan started coming to HOPE Circle "because motherhood can be lonely - but HOPE helped me get out of the house in those early days postpartum. I come back because it helps me connect with others, creating a new community around me.....helping me make parenthood seem less isolated." One of her favorite inspirational quotes is by Henry David Thoreau from "The Succession of Forest Trees": "Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders."
Monica Morton: Certified MotherWoman & GPS trained Perinatal Support Group Facilitator
Monica and her husband Jeff were high school sweethearts, they have been together 25 years, married for 15. After 2 & 1/2 years struggling after the birth of her son, "I could no longer handle the feelings and thoughts I was having toward myself and my son. After seeing my doctor and a psychiatrist, I was diagnosed with Postpartum Depression. In addition to seeing my psychiatrist, I wanted to see if there were any support groups...and I recalled a friend posting something about a new support group, and this is when I started going to HOPE Circle. I am so Thankful for Hope Circle, it was like the stars had aligned, I finally found the courage to seek help. Hope Circle was pivotal in my journey of recovery and healing. One of Monica's favorite inspirational quotes is from -Author Unknown-” Some of the most comforting words in this universe are ‘me too’. That moment when you find out that your struggle is also someone else’s struggle, that you are not alone, and that others have been down the same road."
Jenn Woodriff: GPS trained Perinatal Support Group Facilitator
Jenn is the mother of 3 children, 2 boys and a girl, married her high school sweetheart, and came to hope circle initially after having her first child. She had a very difficult postpartum period, and openly discusses how hope circle saved her life. She was born and raised in Washington and has a passion for mental health, writing, and helping other mamas. One of her favorite quotes she reminds herself of in her daily life is 'Just because no one else can heal or do your inner work for you doesn't mean you can, should, or need to do it alone' - by Lisa Olivera.