Reflecting on an Incredible 2024 & leaning into Community, Growth, and Openness for 2025
Wow, what a year it has been! As I sit down to reflect on 2024, I can’t help but feel a surge of gratitude and excitement. When I chose community as my guiding word for the year, I had no idea just how deeply it would resonate. Now, as 2025 unfolds, I’m ready to expand that focus to Community, Growth, and Openness — the perfect trio to capture the energy of what’s ahead.
From Dreams to Reality: A Year of Connection
Back in May 2024, I officially launched The Collaborative Doula Collective. Fast forward just eight months, and here we are—a powerhouse of 50 doulas across Ontario and even one in the United States! From Niagara Falls to Sarnia, Walpole Island to Collingwood, and beyond, our team has spread far and wide. We’re now supporting families through every stage of life: fertility and conception, pregnancy and birth, postpartum, and even end-of-life and death care.
This incredible growth is a testament to the magic of collaboration. Each doula brings their unique talents and passions, creating a vibrant tapestry of support. Together, we’re redefining what it means to uplift communities, and I couldn’t be prouder.
Mentorship: Watching Dreams Take Flight
January 2024 marked the beginning of my very first doula mentorship cohort, and let me tell you—it’s been nothing short of magical. Watching this group of passionate, driven doulas grow and step into their power has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
As their graduation approaches this January, my heart is bursting with pride. And the excitement doesn’t stop there—a brand-new cohort kicks off this month! This mentorship program is so much more than a course; it’s a garden where we plant seeds of knowledge, compassion, and empowerment. The future of doula work is blooming before my eyes.
Dreaming Big: A Conference for Doulas, By Doulas
Toward the end of 2024, I knew it was the perfect moment to bring a long-held dream to life—a conference designed by doulas, for doulas. This idea had lived in my heart for years, and when I finally put it out into the Universe, the response was incredible. People believed in the vision, and together, we’ve been making it happen.
Now, the conference planning is well underway, and the energy is absolutely infectious! We’ve been having amazing conversations with speakers and panelists, brainstorming workshops and vendor lists, and pouring love into every detail. And the excitement doesn’t stop there—early bird tickets go on sale tomorrow!
This event, aptly named “The Collaborative Doula Conference” will be a celebration of everything we hold dear: connection, collaboration, and the power of community. I can’t wait to see this dream take center stage and come to life.
2025: A Year for Community, Growth, and Openness
If 2024 was about creating community, 2025 is about nurturing it—and taking it to the next level. This year, I’m leaning into growth and openness alongside community. Growth in our reach, our understanding, and our ability to support families in diverse and meaningful ways. Openness to new ideas, new connections, and the endless possibilities that come with dreaming big.
To everyone who has been part of this journey—whether you’re a doula in the Collective, a family we’ve supported, or someone cheering us on—thank you. Your love, energy, and belief in our mission fuel everything we do. Here’s to a year of dreaming bigger, growing together, and continuing to create magic.
Amy Silva Founder of The Collaborative Doula Collective