The Florida School of Traditional Midwifery (FSM) provides a full curriculum to prepare students to become Florida Liscensed Midwifes. In addition, FSM owns and operates the Birth Center of Gainesville which provides birth services primarily to low- and moderate-income clients. FSM used donations from 39 supporters and $505,000 from the Loan Fund in 2004 to help it acquire a new facility in Gainesville in which it will consolidate its school and its birthing center.
On May 5th, 2004, Loan Fund staff members Joy Beaton and Nelson Black attended the grand opening of the new headquarters of the Florida School of Traditional Midwifery and the Birth Center of Gainesville. This festive event took place on International Midwives’ Day and was attended by over 200 people.
With music, food, pregnant mothers, babies, families and friends, the Board and Staff of FSM thanked the 39 supporters who contributed the initial $285,000 to the organization that, along with"a generous loan..." of $505,000 "...made their vision possible."
The event also recognized the founding mothers of the original Birth Center of Gainesville (now part of FSM) who included the late Judy Levy, Margaret Parrish and featured speaker, Byllye Avery. Ms. Avery received a 1989 MacArthur Foundation "Genius" Fellowship and is founder of the Avery Institute for Social Change, the National Black Women’s Health Project and the Gainesville Women’s Health Center which later became the Birth Center of Gainesville.
In the 23 years since its inception, the Birth Center has delivered more than 1,500 babies. It also provided the seeds that eventually resulted in the founding of FSM.
Other special guests included State Legislator Ed Jennings and Dr. and Mrs. Mark Barrow, the former owners and restorers of the historic 1890's Howard-Kelly House.
Jana Borino, Executive Director of FSM, thanked the Loan Fund for being its financial supporter and being a"magical organization. We are proud," she said, "to be associated with such a fine organization!"
CLICK ON PHOTOS AT RIGHT TO ENLARGE
PHOTOS: (1) New home of The Florida School of Traditional Midwifery and Birth Center of Gainesville; (2) Left to right: Jana Borino, Executive Director of FSM, Florida State Representative Ed Jennings, FSM Board Members Rachel Bishop-Cook and Angela Pate; (3) Birth Center of Gainesville co-founder Bylleye Avery speaks to crowd of 200 at celebration.
Without the Loan Fund, we could not have achieved this addition to our space or expanded our services. We are extremely proud of the assistance we can now provide throughout Broward County to physically challenged people who want to live more independently and work at real jobs in our communities. We'd like to say thank you!"
Dennis DesJardin, Director, Victory Living Program, September 20, 2002
