Local Nonprofit, Giving Austin Labor Support (GALS), Celebrate 15 Years at September 29th fundraiser, GALS Prom

GALS is celebrating 15 years and over 850 Central Texas families served at the fundraising event, GALS Prom, on September 29, 2023 with a VIP tarot and Perfume experience, music, story sharing, and silent auction.

Austin, TX - PRESS RELEASE

On September 29th, 2023, 150 people are expected to attend the 1st ever, GALS Prom, in support of Giving Austin Labor Support (GALS), which provides no-cost doula support to over 200 Central Texas families each year in order to improve birth outcomes and ensure no one births alone. The event and silent auction, which will take place at VUKA- Bouldin Creek off South 1st Street, are expected to raise over $20,000 through ticket sales, sponsorships, donations and auction items, making the nonprofit’s 15th anniversary fundraiser most successful event ever.

GALS programs have seen a 72% increase in requests for support since Senate Bill 8, or the "Heartbeat Bill" went into effect in 2021. Profits from this event will provide programmatic funding to support this increase in need and ensure families have access to this life-saving care.

“As more families are giving birth in Central Texas, investing in doula care for those who can’t normally afford it is a huge step toward health equity,” said Morgan Miles, GALS Executive Director. “Giving Austin Labor Support has been tireless in the work to ensure that no one gives birth alone or under-supported. GALS Prom is the perfect way for us to celebrate, bring others into the movement, and build community amongst families, birthworkers, businesses and other supporters.”

The event has two ticket levels to ensure accessibility to many people in the community, and the silent auction will have both virtual and live components. A VIP experience with Libertine Austin, a Sparkle Bar with Paige Jaime LLC, and photobooth will add to the celebratory feel. The silent auction features unique experiences, educational classes, and items donated by local businesses and makers will be live starting September 23rd.

Community members who attend GALS Prom will have opportunities to meet other people engaged in GALS work and reproductive justice, will learn more about the impact of no-cost doula support for Central Texans, and have the change to get more involved in the mission.

ABOUT GALS

GALS is dedicated to providing emotional, physical, and informational support to birthing people and healthcare professionals who are under-supported in order to improve birth outcomes and strengthen families. GALS provides low income families, Black families, Indigenous families and families of Color with wrap-around perinatal support through the following programs:

·       On-Call Birth Support for those actively in labor through postpartum

·       a full-spectrum Doula Program- which includes a co-programming with local Medicaid plan Dell Children’s Health Plan

·       Jail Support Program for those pregnant, birthing, postpartum, or lactating at the Travis County Correctional Complex

·       Postpartum Doula Support Program providing 20+ hours of in-home care after birth.

·       Perinatal Childcare for Black birthing people— childcare support for Black families during doctor's appointments, birth, emergency postpartum hospital stays, and postpartum respite in collaboration with the Maternal Health Equity Collaborative of Central Texas

Through this programming, GALS is ensuring that families are the directors of their own healthcare- and in turn, improving birth outcomes for all. Part of GALS’ mission and goal to advance reproductive justice also includes doulas (Birthworkers). GALS has been instrumental in training and mentoring new and experienced birth workers, and every Birthworker is provided training in trauma, mental health, maternal health disparities, structural racism and implicit bias. 

Givingaustinlaborsupport.org/events/gals-prom

September 29, 2023

Vuka – Bouldin Creek 411 W Monroe St 78704

7:30-10:30pm, (VIP entrance at 7pm)

MEDIA CONTACT

Morgan Miles

Executive Director, GALS

morgan@givingaustinlaborsupport.org | 512-502-4384