WHO WE ARE

INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT & RESOURCES FOR NEW AND EXPECTING FAMILIES!

Becoming a parent is a transformative and exciting time with lots in store. Having good support along the way is essential to overcoming the challenges something so new can bring. The Marks JCH initiative is aimed at providing supportive, nurturing and focused care to brand new families during the sensitive prenatal and postpartum stages of parenthood. Adoptive families, queer families and families of all backgrounds are encouraged to participate in our programs!

The program will offer a variety of workshops and in-home services for new families including but not limited to:

  • Access to expert consultants including social workers, lactation specialists, childbirth educators, clinicians and doulas
  • Reduction of isolation through new parent and infant groups and peer support workshops
  • New parent resources and supportive interventions such as infant feeding classes, infant movement, and development classes, postpartum mental health resources, prenatal swim and more
  • Jewish family engagement opportunities for families with infants

MEET OUR TEAM OF SPECIALISTS

Laura Vladimirova

Laura Vladimirova, LMSW

SHE/HER

WOMEN’s Center DIRECTOR

Laura started her journey into perinatal health by working as a doula, lactation counselor and childbirth educator. Now, Laura is a perinatal social worker & mental health therapist, running the JCH’s dynamic and critical community programming advocating for and supporting the perinatal population of South Brooklyn, where Laura grew up. Laura focuses on accessibility and quality care for marginalized community members.

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Rebecca Koyf

SHE/HER

INTERNATIONAL BOARD CERTIFIED LACTATION COUNSELOR

Rebecca’s breastfeeding struggles with her three children made her pursue this field. She has a degree in Accounting, and worked as an Auditor for NYC Comptroller’s Office for 8 years. It took the persuasion of a loving friend and 4 years of study and training to finally follow her passion in lactation. She takes great care to accomplish her goals of assisting parents in their breastfeeding journey in a nurturing and compassionate manner. She believes that wanting to breastfeed your baby is natural, but doing it, as she learned for herself, doesn’t always come easy.

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Jen MOLINA

SHE/THEY

POSTPARTUM DOULA

Jen Molina is a first-generation Queer, Dominican, born and raised in NYC. She is the founder of United in Birth LLC, a doula collective dedicated to changing the perinatal landscape for marginalized communities (LGBTQIA+, Black, Indigenous, Latine, etc.) in New York City. As a doula and a herbalist, they use ancient healing technologies, such as plant medicine & breathwork to support her clients through their transitions into joyful and healthy parenthood. When not doulaing you can find them blasting reggaeton or pretending to be a sportsbian in her Queer softball league.  She is endlessly loved by her formerly mean cat, Pablo, their always affectionate dog, Charlie, and their partner, Goose. To learn more visit www.unitedinbirth.com or @UnitedinBirth on Instagram.

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MADISON ANDERS

SHE/THEY

POSTPARTUM DOULA

Madison is a postpartum doula and lactation counselor who is passionate about supporting families in the immediate postpartum space. Madison believes everyone should have access to caring support, evidence based information and advocacy. Madison is also a quilter and when she is not working with postpartum clients, she can be found quilting in her home studio in Brooklyn, NY, where she lives with her wife.

Crystal Malone doula

CRYSTAL MALONE

SHE/HER

POSTPARTUM GROUP FACILITATOR AND SLEEP EDUCATOR

Crystal is NYC/NJ based postpartum doula and newborn care specialist. She believes support looks different for everyone. Her expertise ranges from: The first 48 hours, full-time care and support with recovery through the first few months and significant experience in newborn sleep and helping parents balance their sleep needs and normal newborn expectations. She loves navigating all of expected and unexpected with first time and seasoned parents.

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Yuliya GOLUBEV

SHE/HER

perinatal therapist

Yuliya’s journey as a mom with her first child made her passionate about bringing awareness and support to perinatal mental health. Yuliya provides therapy to women in various stages of the motherhood journey. Yuliya helps her clients to unpack the myths about motherhood, bring compassion to their experience, and notice what is missing from their motherhood journey to feel empowered.

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SARA NOLAN

SHE/HER

BIRTH STORY WRITING COACH

Sara is an accomplished writer, editor and birth doula. Combining her passions into a longer form birth and postpartum writing series is a joy for Sara who loves helping people do hard things. She is also a writing coach for tweens, and for teens working on their college applications. She is a mother and stepmother and cherishes her family deeply.

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Natalie toshkoff

SHE/HER

PELVIC FLOOR DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY

Natalie founded Take Flight Physical Therapy after having her first child and realizing there were no pelvic floor physical therapists in her neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens.  She is passionate about serving her local community, providing one-on-one individualized care and educating people about pelvic health. Her goal is to help people eliminate symptoms and return to the activities they love.

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rachel parrotta

SHE/HER

pelvic floor dOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY

Rachel has over a decade of experience as a Pelvic Health Physical Therapist. A majority of her practice focuses on supporting people through all phases of conception, pregnancy, post-partum and menopause. Rachel believes that the role of a Physical Therapist is to empower clients with the most effective tools and information in order to them reach their goals. Her practice centers the client and their healing process as she continues to guide them along the way. Rachel earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2008.

Donna pediatric physical therapist

Donna Kleyman

SHE/HER

PEDIATRIC DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY

Donna Kleyman, a licensed pediatric Doctor of Physical Therapy, strongly considers play to be essential in better bonding with your baby. Donna hopes to inspire purposeful play by sharing her strategies on setting up space, using developmentally appropriate toys, and sensory rich experiences. Donna believes that parenting can be fun, especially if you know how to play.

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danielle nation

SHE/they

pelvic health occupational therapist

Danielle is a pelvic health occupational therapist who treats adults of all genders for bowel, bladder, sexual function, and pain concerns.  Danielle prioritizes a trauma informed approach and values individualizing care to each client’s needs. Outside of work, Danielle enjoys hiking, birdwatching, and photographing birds and insects near her home in Minnesota.

PARTNERS + FRIENDS

JCH WOMEN’S CENTER IN THE NEWS

It Takes a Village: Empowering New Moms with the Support They Need to Thrive

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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CONTACT US

Laura Vladimirova
Laura Vladimirova
Women’s Center Director
718-943-6394