Not Alone: How God and Community Carried Me Through Motherhood - By Madison Stamm

Birth to Five Illinois: Region 54 has been a tremendous support for my family by connecting us to valuable resources during my pregnancy and early motherhood.

I first visited the Women’s Care Clinic, a free clinic offering pregnancy tests and ultrasounds. After confirming my pregnancy, I was introduced to the BRIDGES Program, which supports moms until their child’s first birthday. The program provides monthly meetings to share meals, learn about topics like breastfeeding and parenthood, and earn points for attending appointments or community activities. These points can be redeemed for essentials such as diapers, wipes, clothing, and formula, which has been an incredible help.

Through information from the Birth to Five Illinois: Region 54 office, I also learned about WIC WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) and was able to receive benefits, giving my family monthly access to healthy food—an essential part of maintaining good nutrition during pregnancy and beyond.

Another vital resource was Brightpoint, which provided me with a doula and a home visitor. The doula prepared me for birth, while the home visitor continues to meet with us weekly in the evenings, which fits our schedule better than other programs. Both professionals respect our family’s values and faith, allowing us to openly share how God strengthens our marriage, home, and parenting journey.

The Birth to Five Illinois: Region 54 office also referred us to Fair Hope, a local resource that provides free baby clothing and essentials. I was able to pick out clothes for my baby and will return in the future, with plans to donate as my child grows so others can benefit as well.

Without Birth to Five Illinois: Region 54, I would not have found out about many of these supports. Their kindness and knowledge have made a lasting impact on my family, and I highly recommend that new and experienced parents connect with them to learn more. .

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