The Collective


 
 

Kaley Kroschinsky (Founder): Mother of 2, Breastfeeding Educator & Counsellor, IBCLC In-Training, Midwife, Mother’s Wellness Advocate.

  • I am fascinated by the journey into Motherhood, and the profound changes that women experience when they become Mothers. I have had the honour of witnessing this profound transition in hundreds of women and families that I have worked with over the past 20 years.

    I stepped into this world initially as a Doula and Yoga Instructor, and went on to attend a 3-year Midwifery program in Seattle, WA. I later co-founded a well respected local Midwifery clinic where I practiced Registered Midwifery for over 5 years. At this Midwifery clinic, we implemented a unique community approach to patient care, where we enjoyed a very high homebirth and waterbirth rate. I stepped away from the intense and awesome work of Midwifery when I was pregnant with my second child, so that I could be at home with my children for a few years.

    Breastfeeding has been such a meaningful part of my own Motherhood journey. More recently, I have added the role of Breastfeeding Counsellor to my skillset. I am passionate about supporting Mothers through the hurdles of breastfeeding, knowing that a rich experience is waiting for them on the other side. I have a deep reverence for the often unrecognized hard work that Mothers carry out everyday in their own homes. I love to discover, discuss, and teach tools that help Mothers to thrive. I am obsessed with wholistic wellness, and I use many natural tools to support things like hormone balance and emotional health.

    Between my years of experience working intimately with families and my own journey as a “crunchy mamma”, I have honed a wholistic approach to Motherhood that I am excited to share. My intention in creating The MotherTree Collective is to provide support for Mothers through some of their biggest challenges, because I believe that healthy Mothers are the cornerstones of healthy families.

 

Chantal Kozar: Mother, Breastfeeding Counsellor & Educator, Group Facilitator, Body Talk Practitioner.

  • 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.

  • "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 Mamma and Babes
 

Erin Stoneman

  • 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

  • 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.

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