Over time, several participants quietly asked for help outside of our research involvement—assistance with groceries, transportation to prenatal appointments, or basic baby items. These were not requests related to the study itself, but simple, urgent needs. Those moments made it clear that some of the pregnant women in our program are living in real poverty and facing daily decisions between essentials. As a maternal health researcher and human being, it became impossible to ignore that while we study stress and pregnancy outcomes, many of these stressors are tied to very real financial hardship. When a mother is worried about food, bus fare to her OB visit, or whether she has clothing ready for her newborn, that stress affects her health and her baby’s future. That realization encouraged me to start this fundraiser—not as part of the research, but as a compassionate response to what we are witnessing in our community.

One thing I hope donors will understand is this: The women we serve are strong, resilient, and deeply committed to their babies. They are doing everything they can with limited resources. A small amount of support at the right moment—a grocery card, a ride to an appointment, baby essentials—can reduce stress, improve stability, and help create a healthier start for the next generation. This initiative is about dignity, not charity. It is about standing beside mothers during one of the most important and vulnerable times of their lives, and ensuring that financial hardship does not define their pregnancy or their child’s beginning. Every contribution becomes immediate, practical support for a mother and her baby in Chicago area.