Washington, DC faces a maternal child health crisis. The infant mortality rate is higher than the national average, and babies born to Black mothers are five times more likely to die in infancy than those born to white mothers. The risk of dying is higher for Black mothers than for white women. Across the city, our neighbors in under-resourced communities experience vast inequities in their health outcomes – including higher rates of disease, trauma, depression, and even death. 

LaDonnae Wells was in her second trimester of pregnancy when she connected with Community of Hope. As a first-time mom, LaDonnae was filled with uncertainty and fear that made her doubt her ability to take care of her baby. But that all changed when she entered Community of Hope’s early childhood Home Visiting program.

A divine connection with a midwife brought Kara Simpson to Community of Hope’s (COH) Family Health and Birth Center. Kara is originally from Gastonia, NC, but relocated to DC as her first travel assignment as a labor and delivery nurse. As Kara worked towards her long-term goal of becoming a midwife, she also became the mentee of one of COH’s midwives, Tracie. “She really provided me with sisterhood and friendship. She’s been a sounding board and always gave good advice when I was applying for schools.”