Creating Kin
Creating Kin was created by Ash in 2019, in collaboration with the San Diego LGBT Center’s family programs, in an effort to offer more resources and support for LGBTQIA+ Family Building and Parenthood.
Surrogacy Support
Ash’s family relocated to Fresno from San Diego in 2021. At that time, Creating Kin Programs shifted more specifically to focus on surrogacy.
As a recent surrogate, birth coordinator, and support specialist, Ash provides compassionate, comprehensive support for anyone navigating a surrogacy experience. Ash consults with surrogacy agencies, hospital programs, and works directly with intended parents and surrogates every day. Ash also created an E-Course for Care Professionals (doulas, newborn care specialists, lactation consultants, etc.) to learn more about surrogacy and gain more confidence supporting people who are navigating the complexities and beauty of surrogacy journeys.
Please head to Creating Kin’s new website to learn more about Ash’s current offerings: here.
6 Week Support Series:
This group series focuses on support for anyone navigating reproductive journeys.
Send us a message if you would like to register for our next 6 week series.
4th Monday Resource Group:
This group focuses on education, information, resources, and community building for the family building process and parenting transformation. We invite providers from our Inclusive Provider Network in as guest speakers to share information and answer questions. Topics change monthly and cover all paths to parenthood, all parts of the parenting journey, and all types of family dynamics and relationship structures. We encourage folx to attend groups whether the topic of the month specifically relates to their path or not to foster learning and peer support. This group centers queer and trans experiences, however, non LGBTQIA+ professionals who are members of our Creating Kin Inclusive Provider Network are welcome to attend to listen, learn, and connect.
FREE | 5:30-630pm
Online! Registration Required
Co-Facilitated by: Ashley Saverino (she/they),
Reproductive & Perinatal Support Specialist + Educator
Kristen Carvajal-Witek (she/her), LMFT
Tiana Vargas (they/them),
Families @ The Center Coordinator
More Resources for Online Support Groups:
Info Sessions + Classes
LGBTQIA+ Perinatal and Parenting Education
Info Session for Reproductive Journeys
This info session is designed for anyone actively trying, currenting expecting, or gathering information for the future. We’ll discuss topics related to this stage such as, finding providers, making personal decisions, donors, conception method (ICI, IUI, IVF), preconception contracts, etc. We’ll always leave time for open share and questions.
Birth Prep Class
This class centers birthing people + anyone who will be attending their birth or supporting their preparation.
This is a great addition to birth education, as it covers an intro to stages of labor, birth preferences etc., with a deeper focus on tools and techniques: Massage - Acupressure - Counter-pressure - Hydrotherapy - Movement - Positioning and much more!
New Parenthood Prep Class Support & Preparation for Early Parenthood
*includes baby basics and newborn care like swaddling, feeding, sleep cycles, and more. We also focus on the major shifts and changes happening during this transformational time for new parents.
These info sessions are offered on the 3rd Thursday of every month (topics rotate), please let us know which info session you are interested so we can give you the next date.
Inclusivity Training
Sign up for training and gain tools to put into practice right away!
LGBTQIA+ Inclusivity Training
Are you a family building provider seeking continued education opportunities to expand accessibility to inclusive, affirming, competent care for queer, trans, nonbinary, intersex, and gender expansive people and their families?
If you are a birthworker, birth work adjacent provider, practitioner, educator, or specialist who works with families in any way or you are a fertility clinic, hospital, surrogacy agency, birth/postpartum organization etc. and want to schedule your own inclusivity training for your whole staff, we are here to help you get started. We help organize an online, 3 hour, 101 Inclusivity Trainings for local (California) and national Family Building Support Programs.
101 Inclusivity Training for Family Building Support Programs:
More than an introductory level course yet still accessible to those who are new to the conversation and relearning.
Offers an open learning environment for professionals and organizations of all kinds (including administrative positions, medical providers, and anyone offering person-centered treatment and services).
Topics will include (not limited to): LGBTQ+ terminology, best practices, pronouns, inclusive language, trauma informed care, bystander intervention, advocacy and much more.
Interactive (even online!) with break out scenario practice.
You will leave this training with a deeper understanding, improved skills, and more confidence in supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals and families. You will also receive a resource guide to continue your on-going commitment to inclusivity and access to our Inclusive Provider Network for those seeking a space for connection, continued learning, and accountability.
Private (one organization) Training Option:
3 hours
Group Training Option:
Up to 3 organizations may partner and split the cost.
Meet Our Educator
Tiana Vargas (they/them) is an emerging leader and educator focused on issues of racial and gender justice, masculinities, sexualities and relationships, equity, and inclusion. Tiana co directs The Brown Boi Project, an organization committed to gender and racial justice by creating healthy and affirming ideas around gender, developing the capacity of BIPOC leaders, and supporting movements to end trans and queer antagonism, sexism, and racism.
Since 2014, Tiana has designed custom training for individuals and organizations who are interested in providing LGBTQ+ affirming services and care. They have trained hundreds of service providers including, social workers, police officers, school administrations, family building providers and birth workers, health organizations and many others. Tiana’s trainings are intended to reduce harm against queer, trans, and nonbinary people so that wherever we go, we are embraced with kindness and respect.
Tiana is based out of San Diego, CA, the ancestral homeland of the Kumeyaay people. They do their best to remain approachable, easily understood, and open to feedback. Tiana also loves walking adventures with their dog, board games with their chosen family, visiting the ocean, collecting art, and laying down.
Building Community
We’re here for you!