Mission
Serena Canada is a registered charitable organization that specializes in the development and teaching of the sympto-thermal method (STM) of Natural Family Planning. STM promotes an understanding of a woman's natural cycle of fertility and infertility. Respect for the individual person and respect for human life from conception are central to our philosophy. Serena is committed to the empowerment and support of couples in the decisions they make respecting their fertility. We teach the STM using a couple-to-couple model, with individualized feedback, to enable couples to achieve greater self-awareness and independence. Through loving dialogue, a couple can, each menstrual cycle, choose whether to avoid a pregnancy or, fully aware of their fertility, try to conceive a new human life. History Serena was founded in 1955 by Gilles and Rita Breault in Lachine, Quebec. The method they developed combined information provided by the basal temperature chart with observation of fertility signs. The Breaults pioneered the philosophy that ordinary couples could understand their fertility, and that this awareness could provide the information on which they could base their family planning decisions. As the demand for this new fertility awareness information increased, teams of volunteer teacher couples were trained and organized in Québec and across Canada.
Serena constantly reviews scientific research and refines the method as appropriate. Research developments have led to the accurate and comprehensive sympto-thermal method that we teach today. We have adapted to the needs of today's women and couples to provide STM teaching that is accessible to all. Team Work Serena’s success is largely due to the team work of our dynamic and passionate members. We recognize the tireless efforts of hundreds of volunteer teacher-couples, as well as many collaborators and coordinators who generously give of their time. Serena is also honoured by the commitment of our medical advisor, Dr. Suzanne Parenteau-Carreau, who is a world-respected fertility researcher and a vital part of our team. She develops and reviews our technical materials and advises teacher-couples when STM charts are difficult to interpret. Expertise Serena teacher-couples undergo a training program and an examination prior to teaching other couples. They participate in discussions, workshops and Annual General Meetings in order to expand their knowledge and expertise regarding fertility issues. Regular team meetings provide a forum to ask questions, access accurate and new information, receive moral support, and discuss charts which are difficult to interpret. Teacher-couples may also volunteer to participate as speakers or resource persons for other local organizations. Even though our volunteers are fully trained in answering the majority of questions pertaining to the sympto-thermal method, the expertise of medical advisors is available when required.
Research on thousands of women's cycles, reproductive histories, breastfeeding experiences and menopausal experiences has been conducted by Serena Canada. This has contributed to the refinement and standardization of teaching and charting methods as well as the development, translation and publication of Serena's teaching materials. Serena has also been involved in consultations with other NFP organizations and professional agencies. Serena’s expertise and experience are well recognized throughout the world.
Financing Serena Canada relies on the contributions of the provincial corporations, the revenue from sales of Serena publications, and donations. Provincial corporations also rely on commissions from publication sales, and donations. In addition, some provincial corporations receive provincial funding.
We thank all those whose generous donations enable us to continue to provide our services.