Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church’s Walking with Moms in Need Program Uplifts Expecting Atlanta Moms

            Mothers across the Archdiocese of Atlanta face pregnancies with little or no support. Courtney was one of these mothers, with the immeasurable fear of being pregnant and alone.

“…being alone can really double down on all the problems that you’re going through… not having someone to turn to or not having someone to even just check on you.”

—Courtney, Walking with Moms in Need participant

            Courtney, ten weeks pregnant with twins, had just moved into an apartment with her daughter after living in a hotel room. This is when she encountered the Walking with Moms in Need program at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Her sister worked with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) program at St. Brigid’s Catholic Church in Alpharetta and referred Courtney to the closest program near her.

            Courtney felt unwavering and immense support when she met the parishioners volunteering with the program. People who had never met her became the rock she desperately needed during this vulnerable and isolating time.

            With active programs in 21 churches across our archdiocese, Walking with Moms in Need meets mothers where they are, offering them free resources and support, whether for pregnant, postpartum, or parenting mothers.

            For Courtney, this aid came in many life-changing ways. She recalls how the volunteers took it upon themselves to furnish her entire apartment, including beds for her and her daughter. They’ve also provided resources such as resume editing, rides to and from the food pantry, and most importantly, a steady and loving community.

            Walking with Moms in Need became a glimmer of hope for Courtney after she went into labor early and delivered at 29 weeks into her pregnancy. Her babies were admitted into the NICU, and she could not see, touch, or hold them. During this heartbreaking time, the Walking with Moms in Need volunteers hosted a baby shower for her.

To Courtney, this touched her heart deeply as her village rallied around them, affirming she did not have to go through this storm alone. She said:

“[Walking with Moms in Need] threw me a big baby shower, and it was so much fun…I literally didn’t have to get a thing for my twins. They had everything covered, from diapers to clothes to medicine…I am so thankful.”

    The Immaculate Heart of Mary Walking with Moms in Need group continues to help mothers like Courtney, well after pregnancy. As she ventures through postpartum, she feels she’s gained an irreplaceable village and is touched at how proactive they are about caring for her and her family’s needs.

“They reach out to check on me and see how the twins are doing. ‘Do I need anything? Do I need to go to the pantry?’ Anything that I need, they’re always there before I can even ask for it…I feel like I have a community.”

– Courtney

            When asked what advice she would give a mother facing an unexpected pregnancy, Courtney would remind her to “look to God and just breathe”. Walking with Moms in Need volunteers hope these mothers know they are ready to support and care for them with open arms, just as God does.  

“If she encounters a community like I have, she’ll be okay. They will be there. They will be the strength that she needs.”

– Courtney

To learn more about the Archdiocese’s Respect Life Ministry, click here.

To learn more about Walking with Moms in Need, click here.

Archdiocesan Parishes with Active Walking with Moms in Need Ministries:

• Holy Family, Marietta  
• Holy Spirit, Atlanta  
• Immaculate Heart of Mary, Atlanta 
• Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Carrollton 
• Sacred Heart, Hartwell  
• Sacred Heart, Milledgeville 
• St. Brendan the Navigator, Cumming  
• St. Brigid, Alpharetta  
• St. Catherine of Siena, Kennesaw 
• St. John Neumann, Lilburn  
• St. Joseph, Marietta  
• St. Joseph, Athens 
• St. Jude the Apostle, Sandy Springs 
• St. Lawrence, Lawrenceville  
• St. Mary’s Mission, Elberton 
• St. Michael’s, Woodstock  
• St. Monica’s, Duluth 
• St. Paul the Apostle, Cleveland 
• St. Peter Chanel, Roswell  
• St. Stephen the Martyr, Lilburn 
• Transfiguration, Marietta