Minh Found a Circle of Support

Have you ever needed a friend during a difficult time? Minh is a devoted mother who recognized she needed a friend during a time of great vulnerability: after the arrival of her baby. Allow me to share a bit more.

Minh and her husband are the dedicated parents of two healthy daughters — Michelle, 4-1/2 and 2-year-old Ada. When Ada was just weeks old, Minh was referred by her birth hospital to MOMS Orange County for breastfeeding support and Mommy & Me classes. She is proud that, as a result, she succeeded in being able to give her new baby this precious gift. Yet, during her lactation sessions at MOMS, Minh shared that her husband was working two jobs to support their family. And without extended family nearby, Minh admitted that she felt lonely and needed more support as a mom of a 1-month-old baby and a toddler at the time.

She was matched right away with Becky, MOMS’ Vietnamese-speaking Maternal Child Healthcare Coordinator, and Becky began making regular home visits, guiding Minh during every step through Ada’s first year of life.

“I connected with Becky immediately,” Minh shares. “She was my mentor and a true blessing. Even though this was my second baby, I learned so much. Becky helped me focus on enjoying the special moments with my daughter instead of overly worrying. And she was there to listen to me when I was feeling hopeless or frustrated.

I don’t know how I would have made it through without Becky’s support or the classes at MOMS Orange County.”

Minh’s experience inspired her to help expecting mothers in her community. She created a Facebook support group for Vietnamese-speaking mothers which now has over 520 members. With the knowledge and resources she gained at MOMS Orange County, she promotes the importance of breastfeeding, information about infant care, ideas for bonding and family outings and, of course, MOMS Orange County’s home visitation program and group classes. Minh is one of 1,500 mothers who gain a community of support through MOMS Orange County each year.

I hope you will consider making a special year-end gift to help us support, conduct risk-screenings and provide education to many more mothers and their babies. When you make a one-time or monthly gift to MOMS Orange County, you’re ensuring that parents – especially those from at-risk conditions – are informed and confident, and that their babies are healthy and developmentally on track.

Thanks to you, our parents have a caring friend who works passionately to help them deliver a bright destiny.

From all of us at MOMS Orange County, we are thankful for your partnership and support.

Happy Holidays to you and your family,
Dave Lugo
Chief Executive Officer