About Us
The Pregnancy and Postpartum Resource Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation founded in 2003 by Meeka Centimano “to improve the emotional well-being of families before and after the birth of a child.”
About Us
After her personal battle left her frantically searching for resources, the dream of PPRC was born.
Now with a 24-hour warm line staffed by trained volunteers, PPRC provides a timely response to childbearing women on their quest to feeling better. Whether it’s listings for local mental health professionals, meeting times for support groups, or encouraging words from someone who understands, our phone line is at the heart of what we do.
In addition to our phone line, we speak to community organizations and offer support training to healthcare professionals, peer counselors, and anyone who serves childbearing woman and their families.
Sally Riley is the President of PPRC and volunteer coordinator. She is a certified childbirth educator, DONA certified advanced birth doula, DONA birth doula trainer and a certified breastfeeding educator. She is the Co-Director of the Academy of Certified Birth Educators and president of The Doulas of Greater Kansas City (doulasofgreaterkansascity.org
Teresa Marshall is the Vice President of PPRC, phone line volunteer, and support group facilitator. She is a mom of 4 and nana of 4 and certified birth and postpartum doula. She facilitates a bimonthly pregnancy and postpartum support group. She is an active member of The Doulas of Greater Kansas City and board member of the Kansas City Birth Network. Her self-care includes spending time with family and gardening.
Carrie Bolyard is a phone line volunteer for PPRC. She is a stay-at-home mom of 3 and former social worker. Her self-care includes a daily 45 minute walk or run.
Karen Dahlke is the treasure of PPRC and phone line volunteer. She is a mom of 3, former surrogate mother to 3, and survivor of postpartum OCD and postpartum depression. She runs a local surrogacy support group (kcsurrogacy.org) and is a birth and postpartum doula (doulakaren.com), relationship educator, and certified lactation educator counselor. Her self-care includes yoga, fresh flowers, interesting books, scented bath salts, and chocolate.
Melissa Jackson is a phone volunteer with PPRC. She is a mom to 4, former doula, RN, and currently working toward lactation consultant certification. She got the help she needed when she suffered with postpartum depression and enjoys giving back to others. Her self-care includes taking her dog to the dog park and crocheting.
Nadah Cartmill is a phone volunteer for PPRC. She is a grandmother of 2, certified massage therapist, birth doula (doulanadah.com), and childbirth educator. Her self-care includes getting massages.
Bradi Olson is a phone line volunteer and support group facilitator with PPRC. She is a DONA certified birth doula since and is passionate about all things babies and moms, pregnancy and birth. Her self-care includes monthly massages.
Emily Barnes is the secretary and fundraising coordinator with PPRC. She is a mom of three and survivor of postpartum anxiety and depression. She runs an in-home day care and has a background in special education and applied behavior analysis. She is an advocate for epilepsy awareness (efmk.org). Her self-care includes crochet, piano, and participating in 5k.
Meeka Centimano. In 2004, while establishing a specialty practice to help families during the childbearing years, Meeka Centimano, LSCSW founded The Pregnancy and Postpartum Resource Center. It was through her own struggle in 2000 that she knew women needed information and support. Meeka continues to counsel families and was the first to establish a specialty practice in Kansas City. If she’s not meeting other people’s needs you may find her recharging with a good friend or poolside with her husband to watch their daughter’s swim competitions.
Tiffany Crabtree is a Volunteer Coordinator and board advisory member for PPRC. She is a licensed clinical social worker in the NICU at a local hospital, and has also been a postpartum doula, a therapist, and a psychiatric social worker for the State of Missouri. She is married and has 2 grown children, and loves to spend time eating at fun restaurants, seeing movies, reading good books, drinking coffee with friends and helping with the teen program at her church with her husband. Self care has become a genuine part of her life as she takes time to enjoy what makes her happy whether it’s sitting alone reading, going to Zumba, or being with friends and family.
Shauna Burgee is a phone line volunteer. She is a birth doula (soulsentabirth.com). She has 3 children, and a postpartum depression survivor. For self-care she enjoys cooking and sewing.
In addition to our phone line, we speak to community organizations and offer support training to healthcare professionals, peer counselors, and anyone who serves childbearing woman and their families.