I am expecting my first baby in May, and while this is one of the most exciting times of my life, it’s also filled with uncertainty. I live in Pennsylvania, where there is no state-offered support for maternity leave. Unfortunately, I can’t afford to take time off to recover and bond with my newborn baby girl. We’ve done everything we can to prepare, but we’ve exhausted all other options and now need help from our community.

The funds raised will go directly toward covering medical bills, baby supplies, and groceries during my 8-week maternity leave. This support will help ease the anxiety and stress we’re feeling, and allow both of us to be present for our daughter during her first weeks of life. It’s difficult to ask for help, but we know that being able to spend this time together as a family will make a world of difference for our baby’s start in life.

It truly takes a village to raise a child, and during these unpredictable times, we are reaching out to our village for support. Your love and generosity will mean everything to us, and we can’t wait to one day tell our daughter how her community came together to help care for her. This is only temporary support, and we are confident that she will grow up to bring light and positive change to the world around her. Thank you for being part of our story and for helping us give our baby girl the best possible start.