When she came to Life’s Connection, she was carrying more than a baby: She was carrying the pain of previous miscarriages and the strain of a difficult marriage.

(Submitted Photo)

Now she was facing an unexpected pregnancy, frightened and unsure whether her body would be able to carry the baby.

She needed someone to walk beside her, and that is what Life’s Connection did.

“Life’s Connection truly saved me,” Jillian said. “I was at my lowest when I first went there. Now I can proudly say I am feeling better than I have in years, and I cannot wait to be the best mom because of them.”

The support also addressed practical challenges of preparing for a baby. Through Life’s Connection’s earn-and-learn program, mothers like Jillian can take pregnancy and parenting classes and work toward personal goals while earning resources for their children.

For Jillian, it meant receiving diapers, clothing, a crib and a car seat, along with education on car seat safety and safe sleep. The assistance eased some of the financial pressure as she worked toward a more secure future.

Jillian purchased a home, received family support and began to feel more positive about herself and her marriage. She was no longer facing motherhood with fear, but preparing to welcome her daughter with excitement.

“Looking back at the time when I came in, I never would have met these accomplishments and goals without Life’s Connection.”

Her story reflects the philosophy at the heart of Life’s Connection: When a mother says yes to life, the organization says yes to her, explained Krys Crawley, Executive Director of Life’s Connection.

“We don’t want her to choose life and leave her behind,” she said. “We ask about her needs and begin walking with her. All women are different, and some moms might need parenting or birth education, supplies, emotional support or community resources. Most of the time, they need someone to walk alongside them. Our relationship does not end when the baby is born; that is the beginning for us.”

“We help them with their various issues and needs,” she said. “Some of our moms need medical help or other basic needs.”

That philosophy is also evident in the story of another mother, Iris, whose experience with Life’s Connection would eventually lead her not only to build her own family, but also to recognize and respond to another’s needs.

“When Iris first came to Life’s Connection during her first pregnancy, she was unsure what to do,” explained Crawley. “She was considering whether abortion or adoption was the answer and needed help navigating her options.”

Life’s Connection walked with her through that uncertainty. Today, she is the mother of two boys, ages 1 and 4.

“We’ve seen how deeply she loves her children,” said Crawley. “That love has grown beyond her two boys.”

Iris met another mother and child who needed support and began looking for ways to help.

Life’s Connection also encourages fathers to participate and provides tools and support as they navigate the challenges of family life.

“Fathers can be scared and overwhelmed, and we want to give them tools and encouragement to be involved fathers,” she said.

Life’s Connection’s commitment to walking with families extends to another important ministry.

At St. John Vianney Parish, the Walking With Moms in Need ministry has connected mothers and families with community resources since 2023. The national initiative calls parishes to become “islands of mercy” for mothers and families facing difficult circumstances.

Patrick Lehman, who has led the ministry since its founding, said the parish began identifying and vetting local resources and then partnered with Life’s Connection to provide tangible support.

“Through the blessing of SJV’s Parish and School, we created the ‘Away in a Manger’ fundraiser, which has raised more than $23,500 through two campaigns,” he explained. “The funds have allowed Life’s Connection to provide approximately 300 pack ’n plays to mothers in need.”

Lehman said one of the fundraiser’s greatest successes was highlighting the challenges our Blessed Mother faced when raising Jesus.

“Beginning in a manger with no bed to place her infant child” helped the parish recognize the connection between Mary’s experience and mothers who lack resources for their children, he said. The fundraiser provided pack ’n plays while helping the parish and school community draw nearer to Mary and her Divine Son.

According to Lehman, the ministry has also helped connect individual mothers with resources one-on-one.

“We were in contact with a mother who was intermittently homeless and caring for her 6-month-old son,” he said. “We put her in touch with SJV’s St. Vincent de Paul Conference, and they were able to provide her with a donation to allow her to make the down payment for an apartment for her and her child.”

For Jillian, Iris and the many mothers who come to Life’s Connection and Walking With Moms in Need, saying yes to life is only the beginning. With a community willing to walk beside them, they can begin building a future for themselves and their children.

Sometimes the greatest gift is simply knowing you don’t have to walk the journey alone.

Editor’s Note: Last names were omitted to protect the privacy of the women interviewed.

For more information, visit:
stjohnv.org/walking-with-moms-in-need  &  lifesconnection.org/