De'Avioun felt completely alone. She was in the final months of her first pregnancy with little support from her family. She questioned the quality of life she could provide for her child and considered putting her baby up for adoption. How could she do this all alone? One day, in a final effort to find support, she searched the internet and discovered New Moms.
When she learned how New Moms’ programs supported young moms just like her, she courageously walked through the front door of New Moms, where she was warmly met by our Family Support Manager, Courtney. This step changed everything; she found a glimmer of hope.
For De’Avioun, New Moms’ programs became a lifeline. She enrolled in New Moms’ doula services two weeks before welcoming her baby girl into the world. With this new supportive community around her, she no longer felt she had to parent alone. De’Avioun saw a future where she could be a wonderful mom to her baby. She named her daughter “Elenisse” meaning "ray of sunshine." Light is a meaningful theme in her life.
“Even when Elenisse was born, it was raining, but then the sun came out. It felt like hope,’” De’Avioun said.
De’Avioun sees a bright future for herself and Elenisse. Encouraged by New Moms staff, she has enrolled at Triton College to pursue an Associate’s degree in architecture and plans to graduate in 2026. De’Avioun’s personal experience with housing insecurity fuels her aspirations to design residential homes. She hopes that her future work as an architect becomes a reflection of her journey.
A single glimmer of hope can transform a person’s journey from shadows to light. Today De’Avioun is leaning on the supportive community of New Moms while she discovers the joy of parenting and achieves her goals.
“New Moms has helped me gain more self-awareness and given me the confidence to be a mom, because I didn't have it before.”
As 2024 comes to a close, New Moms needs your help to reach our critical goal of $283,000 by December 31. Your generosity impacts over 767 young moms and their children, like De’Avioun and Elenisse, each year. You ensure they have a community of support that can give them hope for the future.
With Deep Gratitude,
Laura Zumdahl
President & CEO
P.S. We are grateful for the kindness of your last gift. Thanks to a special match challenge, any amount you give beyond your last gift will be doubled, up to $20,000—multiplying your impact for young families on their journey toward a brighter future. Please give by December 31 and help us continue lighting the way forward, together.