Meet the Original Doulas

Cheramie is a certified doula who is thrilled to expand her care to more women through Mary's Hands. From a young age, she was amazed by the beauty of pregnancy and birth, and that wonder inspired her to become a doula. Alongside her work as a daycare teacher, Cheramie enjoys playing video games with her husband, thrift shopping, and creating Sunday School lessons. She is eager to take on this new degree of service and make a positive impact on the women she meets.

In recent years, Kaprishia has developed an interest in the benefits of holistic health, learning how resilient the human body can be. Having worked in the healthcare industry for 10 years, she decided it was time for her to serve her community in a different way. Kaprishia heard about Mary's Hands through a friend and immediately knew this was an opportunity that would allow her to serve as a doula to families as they begin their journey.

Member of the inaugural cohort.

Britany Agnew has been a Certified Nurse Aide since 2009 and the proud mother of 5 beautiful children.  She has a heart for those in need and loves humanity from womb to tomb.  She is most excited to be a witness to the joy the mothers she serves will feel when they first hold their newborn babes. Britany is "in it for the long haul", and plans to begin her academic journey to become a Certified Nurse Midwife.

Patricia has been working at a crisis pregnancy center and is excited to gain more knowledge through this training to better assist our clients. With these new tools, she hopes to provide practical support for those in need. 

In her free time, Patricia loves to garden and finds it therapeutic to watch things grow and develop. She also has a deep love for Jesus and dreams of having dinner with Him to express her adoration and love.

Dr. Karen Clark is an assistant professor and a certified Mother/Baby nurse. She enjoys working in all areas of obstetrics. In recent years, Karen has developed a desire to be hands-on in a different way. It had always been her passion to become a doula, and now she has been given the opportunity through Mary’s Hands. She believes the birthing process should be done in a holistic environment. She is excited to be able to give back to the community and hopefully educate a lot of new mommas. 

Talisha Davis has been an advocate for women and families for decades. Her work with the Women's Help Center and exemplary record of innovative, culturally competent, and comprehensive service is outstanding. We are so honored to work alongside Talisha and the amazing community of women she serves through her own nonprofit.

Introducing Emma Fontenot, a passionate coach and mother of three who has recently joined the Mary's Hands team as a Doula. With a wealth of experience in movement and coaching, Emma specializes in Pregnancy and Postpartum Athleticism Coaching, and is dedicated to helping women stay healthy during all stages of life. Her passion for empowering women and building community is truly inspiring.

Nelda is a social worker with a deep passion for helping others, which led her to join Mary's Hands Network. She was drawn to the organization's compassionate approach to maternal health, and knew right away that she wanted to be a part of it.

Nelda's goal is to empower, educate, and support moms during and after their prenatal journey. She is excited to complete the doula training program, gain a better understanding of how to support moms during labor and birth, and put her new skills to use.

With a lifelong passion for helping mothers and babies, Lilliana's dream is to serve as a doula. She's thrilled to be part of Mary's Hands program, supporting mothers in need and promoting community care. Lilliana believes motherhood is vital yet challenging, and she's committed to providing mental, emotional, and physical support to empower mothers. She looks forward to learning and sharing with others, while pursuing her homesteading dreams through gardening and cooking.

As a licensed massage therapist with extensive knowledge in anatomy and physiology, Alyssa is passionate about healing others through touch. With a calm and friendly demeanor, Alyssa's goal as a doula is to help mothers feel safe and comfortable throughout their pregnancy and birth experience. As a mother of two boys and well-traveled due to her husband's former Army career, Alyssa brings a wealth of life experiences and a dedication to helping others. 

A single mom with a passion and ease for helping others. Jennifer has overcome amazing odds and pushed through trauma to become the empowered woman she is today. She plans to not only volunteer with Mary's Hands but to become certified and serve the women of her community. She wants to give women the help she needed during her own pregnancy journey.

Nanette McCann is a Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula and certified Pregnancy Health coach. From the Dr.

Sears Wellness Institute in May 2020, she obtained the Pregnancy Health Coach certification. She

currently serves on the Louisiana Doula Registry Board as the representative for Region 2. She received

her Doula training and certification through Sista Midwife Production in New Orleans.

Michaelyn is a youth minister at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church where she serves the youth of our community through bible study, faith formation, and more. Becoming a doula was the next natural step for a young woman dedicated to making the world better one person at a time. 

One of our most experienced inaugural volunteer doulas, Tasha has over 20 years of experience as a massage therapist. Tasha's holistic approach to client care focuses on prenatal wellness and the importance of relaxation for healing. Her experience, talent, and diverse skill set make her an invaluable asset to our team! 

From the moment Yolander assisted in delivering her first baby as an EMT in the ER, she knew she wanted to help mothers make their delivery wishes come true. She believes that life is precious and that a mother's delivery wishes in bringing life into this world are extremely important.

Yolander is passionate about supporting mothers throughout their pregnancy and childbirth journey. Her goal is to ensure that they have the best possible experience, free from fear and uncertainty.

A volunteer at a pregnancy center, which has inspired her to learn ways to further support expectant mothers. She believes this program will help her to do that. She hopes to learn how to emotionally, physically, and educationally support women as they navigate pregnancy and childbirth.