"This is something that's been practiced in homes since the beginning of time. I saw how much it actually helped her, as far as her mood and ability to continue on with daily responsibilities. The Chef Doula concept took root when Thomas was growing up in California with a single mother who experienced two miscarriages, and he started cooking to help during her recovery."
"As the Bronx faces a maternal health crisis, marked by high rates of maternal and infant mortality and preterm births, the Chef Doula hopes to fill gaps in support that can allow some women's needs to go unaddressed. Thomas is waiting on Medicaid certification for his business because doula and nutrition services should not be only for the wealthy."
"During the pandemic, when Thomas became jobless and at times homeless, he gradually realized he could bring his own business to life. He had worked in both restaurant kitchens and preschool classrooms and recognized the appeal of combining nutrition with family services."
Eric Michael Thomas, a Melrose resident, is building Chef Doula LLC to tackle maternal health and nutrition challenges in the Bronx. The business combines ancient postpartum care practices with culinary expertise. Thomas's inspiration stems from childhood when he cooked for his single mother during her recovery from miscarriages, witnessing how nutrition improved her mood and daily functioning. Currently training as a certified doula apprentice with Brooklyn-based Ancient Song while earning an associate degree in culinary arts at Kingsborough Community College, Thomas has completed multiple entrepreneurship programs. He seeks Medicaid certification to ensure services remain accessible to low-income women, addressing the Bronx's maternal health crisis marked by high maternal and infant mortality rates.
#maternal-health #doula-services #nutrition-and-wellness #social-entrepreneurship #bronx-community-health
Read at Bronx Times
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