ABOUT US
Barefoot Birth is a birth service company specializing in concierge home birth services with a midwife, personalized prenatal care, doula support, postpartum support, and acts as a resource for expecting families.
Meet The Team
Charlie Rae Young, LM, CPM, CLC, WIMI is a graduate of the Florida School of Traditional Midwifery and Florida Licensed Midwife (MW276). A Florida native, Charlie was called to Midwifery after her own experience with the over-medicalized model of childbirth. She began her service as a doula by founding Barefoot Birth in 2008, and has worked as a strong advocate for better care for families alongside the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services, The Birth Survey, The Florida Council of Licensed Midwifery, and others. She has attended hundreds of births over the last 18 years, filling a niche with naturally-minded families as well as those who are often marginalized from conventional medical care due to social stigma. She has written for and been featured in SQUAT Birth Journal, Tampa Bay Times, Tampa Tribune, FOCUS Magazine, Radical Doula Blog, and been interviewed for the Tampa NBC Affiliate for her community projects The Barefoot Bus--a fully mobile prenatal care unit operating under the easy access model of care as well as her 501c3 The Community Roots Collective. Charlie's belief is that every family deserves safe and quality care, and hopes to continue to build stronger communities through beautiful births.
In 2026, Charlie completed her Women’s Functional & Integrative Medicine training with Dr. Aviva Romm and now holds the WIMI Certified Practitioner credential.
When she’s not midwifing you can find Charlie wrangling her two gals Elliot and Rainy, in a hot yoga class, hollerin on a bicycle, or probably floating in or on some body of water deep in the Florida wilderness.
If you’re interested in working with Charlie she is currently offering preconception support, prenatal care, postpartum care, midwife as doula support, and sees all of our Integrative Wellness clinic clients.
Nelivette Flores, Spanish-speaking provider
With a passion for supporting families through every stage of their journey, Neli brings both heart and knowledge to her work as a midwife. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Public Health from the University of South Florida and is a graduate of the Florida School of Traditional Midwifery, where she trained in holistic, hands-on, and patient-centered care.
As a Spanish-speaking provider, she cares deeply about serving Spanish speaking families and making sure they feel comfortable, understood, and confident every step of the way. She takes a gentle, personalized approach to care and believes every birth experience should be respected and tailored to each family’s needs and values.
Meet Amanda Ruiz, a dedicated mother of two, Aliyanna (5) and Mateo (2). Balancing the beautiful chaos of motherhood, Amanda is not only the Program Director at Community Roots Collective but also the newest member of the Barefoot Birth Family, where she flawlessly manages the office while embracing the multitasking art of delegating tasks with a baby attached to her breast – a true supermom in action!
Born in Newark, NJ, Amanda's journey led her to the vibrant waters and sunny shores of Tampa in '99. Her heart lies in fostering birth education, breastfeeding support, and maternal mental health. Having experienced the challenges of postpartum depression and birth trauma herself, she transformed her personal journey into a mission to ensure that every member of her community, regardless of background, has access to quality birth education and the support they need. Amanda's commitment to these passions shines through in both her professional roles and personal life. Maternal mental health is a cornerstone of Amanda's advocacy work. Recognizing the vital role it plays in the well-being of both mothers and families, she actively champions the cause by providing resources, support, and education within the community. Amanda leads a weekly mother support group, creating a safe and nurturing space for women to share their experiences, seek guidance, and form connections. She truly embodies the philosophy that "it takes a village," emphasizing the importance of community support in the journey of motherhood.
When she's not empowering others, you can find her immersed in everything water-related or whipping up delightful creations in the kitchen. Join Amanda on her journey of embracing motherhood, community, and the joy found in the simple pleasures of life.
