October Newsletter
October at Radiant
Hello Radiant people,
October is a BUSY month! We have some new classes, a free workshop for parents returning to work after leave, and a few changes to programming. We're also starting to explore a new prenatal education program specifically for newcomer families.
Here’s what’s coming up.
Prenatal Classes
We have three prenatal classes in October, each focused on one topic at a time. Classes are pay-what-you-can, and partners and support people are always welcome.
October 1 — The Placenta After Birth
Birth doesn’t end when the baby is born. In this class, we’ll talk about what happens during the third stage of labour, how the placenta is born, common interventions and choices, and what happens to the placenta afterwards. Register here.
October 22 — Newborn Procedures & Interventions
Please note the date change: this class was originally scheduled for October 15 and has been moved to October 22.
We’ll go through some of the common procedures and decisions that come up in the first hours after birth, what they’re for, and what options parents may have. Register here.
October 29 — Breastfeeding Basics
We’ll cover getting breastfeeding started, what to expect in the first hours and days, common challenges, and where to find support. This class is already half full, so if you’ve been thinking about joining us, make sure to register. Sign up here.
Registration is also open for our next Birth Partner Bootcamp, with space for 3 more families.
This one is all about actually practicing. We get out the mats, birth balls, peanut balls and massage tools and work through hands-on ways partners can support someone through labour.
This is an opportunity to practice together before you need these skills on the day.
Join us for Pregnancy Circle on October 8
With Wave of Light happening on October 15 and our Newborn Procedures class moving to October 22, Pregnancy Circle will only happen once in October, on October 8.
This month, our conversation will be about preparing for postpartum: what we imagine those first days and weeks might look like, who we expect to support us, what we might need, and the things we don’t always think about until the baby is already here.
As always, this isn’t a class. It’s a starting point for casual conversation, questions, and sharing with other pregnant people while having a tea. Bring whatever is on your mind.
Pregnancy Circle is free, and you’re welcome at any stage of pregnancy.
We’re welcoming Alexandra Whittaker, Employment Consultant / Job Developer at Lambton College, to Radiant for a small workshop for parents thinking about returning to work after maternity leave.
Alexandra will share information about getting started with your job search, and there will be lots of room to ask questions.
This event is free to attend.
We’re starting to explore the idea of offering prenatal education specifically for newcomer families.
Before we build it, we want to hear from newcomer families about what would actually be useful.
We’ve created a short interest form and flyers in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese. This isn’t registration for a class yet — we’re gathering interest and learning more about what families need.
Please share the flyer with a newcomer family in your life who might benefit.
On October 15, The Valeria Fund will be holding a Wave of Light gathering at Radiant in recognition of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day.
If pregnancy or infant loss is part of your story, you are warmly invited to join us. This is a space to gather, remember, and honour babies who have gone too soon.
We also know that the person who needs this gathering may not be the person reading this newsletter. If you have someone in your life who may benefit from this gathering, please share the link below with them.
Play Café continues every Wednesday throughout October.
In September, we had a pretty special Play Café. We celebrated a few of our babies who were all turning one around the same time — which also happened to mark one year since I started Play Café at Radiant.
There was something really lovely about realizing that some of the babies we’ve watched grow over this past year are now becoming toddlers, while new babies and new parents continue to find their way into the space.
Thank you to everyone who has come through the doors over the past year; whether you’ve been here almost every Wednesday, came when you really needed somewhere to go, or have only recently found us. You’re what has made Play Café into what it is.
And we’ll keep doing it every Wednesday. Come by with your baby or little one, have a coffee or tea, meet other parents, play, or just get out of the house for a while.
Free, drop-in, and no registration needed.
Thank you for helping make Radiant a place where everyone feels welcome.
— Javi
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