BALTIMORE — A Maryland mother of two is starting a new "Adopt-a-Mom" program to help expectant mothers prepare for their new babies.
Jalisa Matthews has already been helping new mothers this year through her new nonprofit Helping Her, Inc.
Every Wednesday, she opens up a mommy and baby pantry filled with supplies like diapers, body wash, feminine hygiene products, laundry detergent and more.
"I'm a mommy and I just always said I wanted to be what I needed, like when I had [my two] babies ... and, you know, I went through that fourth trimester blues," Matthews said.
She admits that she even had a relatively robust support system, and there were still struggles. So, she wants to offer that support system to families who do not have it.
To extend that assistance beyond the pantry, she's launching her organization's new Adopt-a-Mom program.
“We are trying to provide all essentials for moms and babies the first three to four months of mom life," Matthews said. "However that support looks — whether it's car seats and strollers, you know, but whatever that supports look like for them, we're tailoring it to each mom, because each mom is going to need support in a different way."
Applications open on Oct. 15.
She said for their first adopted mom, they're looking for someone with a due date of March or later, so that the organization can support the expectant mother through the latter part of her pregnancy and beyond.
Afterwards, she hopes to adopt one new mother each month.
"It's different questions on the application, so it's going to be based on the qualifications. If you meet the criteria, then after that, we're going to do an intake, because we we want the moms that's really serious about trying to set a great foundation for them and the baby, you know," she said. "We're looking for someone that we can help with the betterment of themselves, and just like pushing them forward and taking them where they need to be."
In addition to supplies, Matthews is working to secure partnerships with rideshare companies to help with rides to doctor visits.
She said the team also just brought a doula on board to offer moms lactation consultations.
"A lot of our moms just need that support. So that's what it's about. It's about that community," she said.
You can apply to the Adopt-a-Mom program here.