For Miriam Muller, finding the right provider to deliver her baby was important. Miriam, a mother of two, was excited to learn of the pregnancy of her first child, but not as excited when it came to finding a provider. After educating herself on birthing options that would fit her needs, her final choices led her to an open house at Community of Hope’s Family Health and Birth Center. The Family Health and Birth Center is D.C.’s only freestanding birth center where moms have the option of giving birth outside of a hospital.“When my husband and I walked in, we thought it was very nice. It was such an open place and we saw different people all of backgrounds interacting with one another. You immediately feel like you’re in this community.”

For Mercedez Milling-Robinson, being a mom was something that came easy, even natural, for her. “Being a mom means being responsible, but it’s also a blessing and an honor. It’s so much love,” she says. With the birth of their newborn daughter, everything seems to be complete now, but that journey wasn’t easy. “I was nervous this time around because of my first experience giving birth. The staff kept telling me ‘Relax, you know your body and when it will be time to push.’ They really believed in me throughout my labor.” Mercedez first visited Community of Hope’s Conway Health and Resource Center with her sister. Now, a year later Mercedez and Mayara are patients at Community of Hope and thank them for their “great support.”

Moving from place to place may be easy for some, but leaving the place you know as home in hopes of better isn’t easy. Cameroon native, Toyi Chana lived in his country for over 27 years. "Life in the U.S. is a much better life than in Cameroon,” he explains. “I can live freely, move freely. No one is pushing me [around] and I’m not afraid of being arrested at any time.” After hearing about Community of Hope from Catholic Charities, Mr. Chana called us. When asked about what Community of Hope means to him, he stated “I have a life now.”