Hi!  I've just joined LACTNET.   I currently work as an LC with Kaylela Family
Centre.  Our mandate is to provide breastfeeding information and support to
first nations, immigrant, adolescent, single, and unemployed mothers.  A large
portion of our funding is to train 21 breastfeeding peer counsellors, within
our target demographics, in the next year.   Our first peer counselling
training course began June 3, 1995.  It is a twenty hour course and this first
group of peer counsellors will graduate by July 1, 1995.  The group
consists of 2 first nations women, 3 women in their early twenties who all had
babies in their teen years, and 4 mothers from a local high school.  This is
very exciting and challenging work.  These mothers will all make great peer
counsellors within their own communities.  Kaylela Family Centre also has a
weekly breastfeeding drop-in, staffed by 3 LC's and we offer one-to-one
breastfeeding support (home visits) as needed.  This project started March 1
and will run for 3 years.  We are very busy, so obviously filling a great need.
I also teach prenatal breastfeeding classes at douglas college and with public
health.
On a more personal note, I am the mother of two , a six year old girl, ellen,
and a nine year old boy, kyle.  I have been a La Leche League leader for the
past 5 years and am currently one of the assistant area professional liasons
with LLL of BC and the Yukon.
I love reading the back logs....hope to hear from anyone doing
breastfeeding peer counselling.

Mary-Anne Taylor,BEd, IBCLC