My name is Whitney and I’m creating this fundraiser to support Stephanie and Victor Fowler—a couple whose faith and long-awaited journey to parenthood have been tested in unexpected ways. Stephanie serves as the Office Manager and my Supervisor at Bethel’s Transformation Center, where her compassion and leadership have touched countless lives, including my own.

Stephanie and Victor had dreamed of becoming parents long before they said “I do.” When they learned this summer that they were expecting their first child, they were overjoyed. Soon after, however, test results devastatingly suggested they were likely miscarrying. In the face of that painful news, Stephanie and Victor fought to trust God with the outcome. Then at their first ultrasound, against all odds, their baby boy was alive and thriving—a moment that forever changed their story. From that point they have been grateful beyond words to continue enjoying a healthy pregnancy.

Yet another challenge arose when they realized that during that difficult time, Stephanie’s open enrollment period was closing and she unknowingly missed her opportunity to opt into paying for State Disability Insurance. And because churches are not required to provide employees with paid maternity leave, Stephanie can now only use whatever sick time she manages to save up, but anything beyond that will be completely unpaid. 

Bethel has graciously provided an extra week of sick time and a $1,000 HSA benefit, which has already been utilized for medical expenses. Still, with the baby’s due date of January 20th quickly approaching, the Fowlers now face hospital bills, prenatal appointments, and the usual costs of preparing for a newborn—all on Victor’s single income.

The average cost of childbirth in a California hospital is around $11,000, even with insurance. And with no paid maternity leave, every dollar will help cover essentials, living expenses, and medical care while allowing Stephanie the recovery time she needs to bond with her baby.

Stephanie has faithfully served as the Transformation Center’s Office Manager for the past four years, creating an atmosphere of care and excellence. I have had the honor of working under her leadership for nine months after coming out of a traumatic life situation myself and have been beyond blessed by her presence in my life. Guided by the Holy Spirit, Stephanie has been kind, compassionate, and a compass pointing me to Jesus when I’ve often felt lost both professionally and personally. Her commitment to excellence and care for the Transformation Center’s clients, employees, and operations is astounding. My goal in creating this GoFundMe is to give back to Stephanie the rest and peace she deserves as she welcomes her baby boy with Victor this January, praying that God provides enough to cover maternity leave, medical costs, and essentials—estimated around $20,000 to $30,000.

It’s now our opportunity to be part of the miracle that God has already begun in their lives. Your generosity will provide them the peace and stability they need during this sacred time. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps lift the burden and allows Stephanie to focus fully on recovery and motherhood. Thank you for standing with this incredible family in prayer, love, and support as they continue to walk out their story of faith and miracle.

If you would like an alternative way to donate to the Fowlers’ maternity leave costs, you can utilize Stephanie’s Zelle, Venmo, CashApp or PayPal using the following link; https://linktr.ee/stephaniegiannaa