Community health major puts skills to work with internship

Everyday Miracles is an organization that provides evidence-based prenatal care to women regardless of their age, race or socioeconomic status in order to improve birth outcomes and reduce health disparities.

The organization provides prenatal yoga, childbirth and breastfeeding education, wellness practitioners and more for its clients and community members.

In her internship Cross does office work for the organization every Tuesday, plans fundraisers and is writing a grant to extend Everyday Miracle’s doula services to homeless pregnant women. Doulas support pregnant women during childbirth, leading to lower rates of cesarean section.

The Northeast Minneapolis non-profit services a diverse clientele including a large refugee population, homeless women and women who are transitioning out of incarceration, Cross said.

“Being exposed to so many different cultures … just working in the Twin Cities has been a really good experience,” Cross said. “Branching out from Central Minnesota has been great for me.”

Cross credits the internship with opening her eyes to the diversity in Minnesota and how every woman has her own story.

The women who are transitioning out of incarceration and are pregnant are so vibrant, full of life and excited for their pregnancies, Cross said.

“Women helping women empower and educate is so great to watch and see,” she said.