We are built on our values.

Vision

To deconstruct the systems of white supremacy and racism within health care, creating opportunities for equitable access to collective community care through education and doula support.

Mission

To create a diverse, sustainable birth and postpartum doula workforce while simultaneously increasing access to education and doula services across under-resourced and historically marginalized communities.

Community Commitment

We believe that business should exist to serve society, and we prioritize community and social wellbeing alongside business success. Homegrown works in partnership with many public health organizations to decrease health inequities. Our commitment to community centric work gives power back to the community and allows the members to make a difference on issues that matter to them.

Evidence that Empowers

You will find no judgements or opinions here! We give you the highest quality information and allow you the spaciousness to make the decisions that are right for you and your family.

Power of Choice

The primary pillar of our care is informed choice. We believe you are the expert over your body and baby. We understand the power behind your ability to choose and that a fulfilling birth and postpartum time is not one absent of medical intervention but one that is based on your choices. We support you no matter how you choose to give birth or parent your children. 

Cultivating Courage

We know that birth and parenting don’t often go as “planned” and your successes in birthing and parenting are often based on the ability to adapt and cultivate the courage to do the next best thing. We meet you where you are and support you in daring greatly to be where you want to be.

Embracing Diversity

Our services our inclusive no matter a person’s race, religion, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status. We are here for everyone as a community resource whether a person chooses to take any of our classes or use our services!

We Bring the Calm

We know that pregnancy, birth and the postpartum time can bring up anxieties and fears and we’ve got your back no matter what!  We normalize what you are going through and provide hands on, empathetic, compassionate care.  

Contact us for real time support in whatever way you need!

Our History of Growing Strong Families

Homegrown Families began in 2002 with Chama Woydak and Avril Bowens as Beginning with Birth. In 2009 Beginning with Birth joined forces with Jordan Glover and Mothering the Mama to become Homegrown Babies. Chama and Jordan worked together to provide birth and postpartum education and doula services in Asheville to so much success ­that families in town dubbed them as the “Dream Team.”

In 2013 Chama expanded Homegrown Babies into a new “Dream Team” and in 2016 into their current office – The Homegrown Families Health and Education Center. In 2023, MaryKate Bashaw became the new owner and Executive Director of Homegrown Families in order to continue to provide the power of childbirth education, the necessary support of a doula, and a vital postpartum community. Homegrown was built on the foundations of reimagining what birth and becoming a parent could look like. It grew into a collective community care model in our small city, understanding the power of interdependence and that the only people that have our backs are us. We are who we have been waiting for. Homegrown Families encompasses a comprehensive integrative support team of over 30 birth and postpartum doulas, educators, and integrative health practitioners with lifetimes of combined experience. We come together in brilliant ways to provide the best in comprehensive and compassionate services from pregnancy to parenthood in Asheville and the surrounding area.