Jalisa Matthews, a mother of two from Baltimore, Maryland, is launching a new “Adopt-a-Mom” program called Helping Her Inc to support expectant mothers as they prepare for the arrival of their babies. Through her nonprofit, Helping Her, Inc., Matthews has already been assisting new moms this year by providing essential supplies and resources.

According to WUSA9, each Wednesday, she opens her mommy and baby pantry, which is stocked with items such as diapers, body wash, feminine hygiene products, laundry detergent, and more. “As a mom myself, I always wanted to be the kind of help I needed when I had my two babies,” Matthews explained, recalling her own experience with the challenges of the postpartum period.

Even with a strong support system, Matthews faced struggles, which inspired her to create a network for families who lack that same support. To further expand her reach, she is now introducing the Adopt-a-Mom program through her organization.

“We want to provide essentials for moms and their babies during the first three to four months of motherhood,” Matthews said. “Whether it’s strollers, car seats, or anything else, we’re tailoring the support to fit each mom’s specific needs.”

Applications for the program open on October 15, and the first “adopted” mom will be someone due in March or later. This will allow the organization to support the expectant mother during the final stages of pregnancy and into early motherhood. Afterward, Matthews hopes to adopt one new mom each month.

The application process includes an intake to ensure participants are committed to building a strong foundation for themselves and their babies. “We want moms who are serious about making positive changes for their family’s future,” Matthews noted.

In addition to supplies, Matthews is securing partnerships with rideshare companies to help moms get to their doctor appointments. Her team has also brought a doula on board to offer lactation consultations and other vital support.

“A lot of our moms just need that extra support, and that’s what this is all about—building a community,” she added.