The Collective
Kaley Kroschinsky(Founder): Mother of 2, Midwife, Breastfeeding Educator & Counsellor, IBCLC In-Training.
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Thanks for checking out my website! As you can probably see, I am absolutely obsessed with Motherhood, and the profound changes that we undergo as we become Mothers. I started The MotherTree Collective in 2022, with the intentions of connecting families to community, to high quality resources, to expand local lactation education and support. As a Mother of 2, a Midwife and a Lactation Specialist, I wanted to create a village-hub of information and support for new Mothers.
I stepped into this world in 2003 when I completed my Doula training, and immediately fell into my lifelong love with pregnancy and birth. I went on to attend The Seattle Midwifery School, completing practicums in Seattle, Stony Plain, AB, Victoria, and Kelowna, BC. I co-founded a well respected Midwifery clinic in 2010, where I practiced Midwifery until 2018. I stepped away from my practice and the work of Midwifery when I was pregnant with my second child, so that I could focus on my own family for a few years.
More recently, I have added the role of Breastfeeding Counselor and Educator to my skillset, and I will soon complete my IBCLC* Certification. I am passionate about supporting Mothers through the hurdles of breastfeeding, knowing that rich experiences await them on the other side. I offer non-judgemental, individualized lactation support, and I help families to create feeding plans that feel manageable to them. My goal is to help families find more ease, comfort and understanding, and to help Moms feel confident and empowered in their breastfeeding journeys. I believe that Mothers are the cornerstones of their families, and that by supporting Mothers more, we can build families that are healthier and more resilient!!!
*IBCLC: International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
Chantal Kozar: Mother, Breastfeeding Counsellor & Educator, Group Facilitator, Body Talk Practitioner.
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Hello! My name is Chantal and I love connecting with women and guiding them back to their innate wisdom.
Currently as a mom of two older children, my journey of self discovery through motherhood really began during the pregnancy with my first child (almost 16 years ago!) where I discovered the path of informed choice and I have never turned back. I learned so much in that time through practicing yoga, learning about nutrition, being fortunate enough to be held in midwifery care and creating an amazing tribe of women to help support and guide me through the ups and downs of discovering the mother I was to become. Back in 2006 when the internet was in its infancy and I was struggling with low milk supply, thrush and so much pain I found tremendous comfort in joining my local Winnipeg La Leche League group. With these incredible leaders and tribe of women I felt safe to share my struggles, successes and make lifelong friendships. When I moved to Kelowna in 2009 I noticed there was quite a gap in breastfeeding support so I collaborated with a friend to create our own group called Kelowna Breastfeeding Cafe. Since 2012 I led meetings every month as I worked through my Breastfeeding Counselling certification and over the years the cafe became one of my greatest joys. I would feel so elated after spending time with new and seasoned moms helping them with their struggles, holding space and sharing in their journeys. Sadly Covid put an end to in person group meetings and our model just didn’t fit the online platform. I paused on group breastfeeding cafes and really focused on the new path of growing my new business as a Bodytalk practitioner. Energy work is so dynamic and also very rewarding but I was missing facilitating groups. In March 2020, I decided to start a weekly online meditation group and I love the community and safe space that has been created. As a group we have grown immensely together as we humans can often find growth by connecting, discussing and feeling safe to be ourselves.
Now I’m excited to bring all these passions together in the MotherTree Collective. I look forward to meeting more amazing women in our community while facilitating monthly groups, offering workshops, breastfeeding counselling, meditation, mothering mentorship, Bodytalk and Lymphatic relaxation therapy.
Chelsea LaFrance: Mother, Group Facilitator, Family Counsellor, Doula.
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"Hi there! I'm Chelsea, and I have worn many hats in the world of supporting children and families. My journey has led me through the realms of children and family counseling, as well as serving as a birth and postpartum doula. These experiences have fueled my passion for child development and promoting the mental health of both children and caregivers.
Becoming a mother to my one-year-old, Sunny, has been a transformative experience in my life. It's opened my heart and deepened my commitment to nurturing children and creating a supportive community for families during the early years.
In my role as a family group facilitator, I'm dedicated to promoting holistic wellbeing for families. This means addressing physical needs as well as nurturing emotional and spiritual growth. I believe that through connection, education, and play, we can create a space where parents nurture their bonds with their children and cultivate a deeper self-awareness.
Creating a welcoming and inclusive environment is essential to me. I want every family to feel comfortable sharing their experiences, forming friendships, and growing together, whether we're learning from each other in structured sessions or simply enjoying each other's company.
Outside of work, you'll often find me catching up on sleep, attempting to whip up a meal in the kitchen, on leisurely walks with friends, and hanging out with my family. I try to make time for creative activities and connect with nature whenever I can."
Erin Stoneman
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Hi! I’m Erin, mother to 3 little humans as well as a birth doula and photographer in the Okanagan.
My children have shown me how to truly live my life with more LOVE, more JOY and more PASSION.
Before I became a mom over 10 years ago, I was a nurse. However, I decided to stay at home with the kids while they were little. So, for many years, I focused on their needs, their desires and their growth. And what I discovered along the way, was that I was also transitioning into my own self discovery and figuring out where I belonged in the world. My desires have shifted into empowering and supporting women during their own transitions into mamahood. Giving them a safe space to ask questions, receive guidance with zero judgements and document their stories.
As a birth photographer as well as videographer, I document your life as it happens- capturing life in it's raw and real form. I want to freeze this time for you while you go through these major milestones in your life. These every day real life stories are what inspire others to feel your love, your strength and your joy.
I live in Kelowna, BC and service all of the Okanagan but if you live elsewhere, I am happy to discuss traveling to be a part of your story.
Kristi McCarty
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I’m a mother of four, and a birth doula who has been serving the Okanagan for the past seven years. During my first pregnancy, over sixteen years ago, I bought a copy of Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth to start learning more…and haven’t stopped learning about birth ever since! While my first birth left me feeling like I was capable of anything, I was not prepared for the growing pains that would come along with figuring out who I was now that I was someone’s mother, because I was certainly someone new. Becoming a parent helped to shine a light on strength I didn’t know I had, but also on healing I didn’t know I needed. Time and again over the years, I have realized that connection with other mothers, sharing in the joys and the tears, is the single most important way to help make the journey easier, and that is why I am so excited about the opportunity to be a part of The MotherTree Collective. I love to have real and honest discussions about the metamorphosis of motherhood, and to laugh about and celebrate the messiness of life.
Aside from being a total birth nerd and a coffee lover, my hobbies tend to read like that of someone more elderly (think rocking chair, cats, and knitting!)…I guess the busyness and noise the come along with having four kids will do that to a person! I am so grateful for the work that I get to do supporting families in our community, as well as the connection with other professionals who feel so passionately about supporting parents and babies.