This LOVEPIZZA Gives week is one that hit my heart pretty hard.
When I found out I was pregnant with our son, my doctor started asking all of the routine questions. The one that will always stick with me was “do you have support”? Without even thinking for a second I said “Yes, amazing support” which I am so grateful for. And that really made me think about all of the women out there who have no one to guide, support or love them during pregnancy and post-partum.
When the H.E.R. program was really first layed out to me it came from a fellow mom – Sarah.. We swapped stories, had some good laughs – and then got down to what the H.E.R. pregnancy program was really about. Both of us were in tears within a minute or two. Sarah told me that many of these women have never seen a doctor until they actually went into labour, have no home and have no means to diaper or clothe their new baby. Many of these women are in a cycle living on the streets that they just can’t get out of. So they find themselves back on the streets right after the birth and in the same position again and again.
No woman should have to go through this once. Let alone multiple times.
Sarah also shared with me success stories from the program that perhaps made me cry even more. For example, one young woman who was in an abusive relationship and using meth. When she found out she was pregnant, she quit everything. She is now an employee of H.E.R. helping others get healthy for themselves and for their babies.
Sarah said to me “it’s not a sexy charity” – and it’s not. But it’s so important and it needs to be shared.