When I think about the origins of Hands Lifting Hearts, I always return to the profound lessons instilled in me by my parents. My father’s will contained a simple yet powerful directive: no matter what, our family home should always remain a place of refuge for those in need. He insisted that we should welcome strangers, feed them, and never ask when they were leaving.
Twenty-eight years after his passing, we’ve continued to honour that wish. It remains a cornerstone of my commitment to giving back. If a man can keep helping others even after his passing, why shouldn’t his child do the same while yet alive?
A Vision Born from Experience
Before founding Hands Lifting Hearts, I spent years volunteering; working with the children’s department at my church, supporting Calgary’s senior community, assisting at women’s shelters, and caring for pregnant teens. This gave me invaluable insight into the diverse needs of vulnerable populations. I saw the gaps in support systems, especially for immigrant mothers.
After losing an eight-month pregnancy with little support, I understood the deep emotional and physical toll. In many African cultures, an entire village rallies around a new mother, offering guidance, nourishment, and care. But here in Canada, many immigrant women face pregnancy alone. Something had to change, so I started Hands Lifting Hearts.
A Lifeline for Immigrant Mothers
We’re here for African, Black, and Caribbean immigrant moms navigating pregnancy and postpartum far from home. The language barriers, cultural shifts, and distance from family can make an already tough journey even harder. Many of the women we support share the same struggles—they’re immigrants, pregnant, and often overlooked in the system.
Hands Lifting Hearts is more than just a helping hand; it’s a community. We know childbirth is a major life shift. That’s why we provide pre-labor education, housing support, medical transport, and postpartum care. More than anything, we make sure moms feel seen, supported, and never alone in this journey.
Pushing Through Barriers
Of course, establishing a nonprofit came with its challenges. The biggest hurdle was securing volunteers and financial support, as many were skeptical about the sustainability of an organization without profit-driven motives. I overcame this by staying committed to my vision, spreading awareness, and securing small grants and community donations.
Building trust within the community also took time, but as people saw the impact of our work, support grew. Today, balancing resources with increasing demand remains a challenge, but through strong partnerships and dedicated volunteers, we continue to expand our reach and impact.
The Heartbeat of Our Work: Volunteers
Volunteers play a crucial role in our operations. With over 50 volunteers from Alberta’s local community, we have built a strong support network. The community at large contributes by attending our events and providing assistance whenever our families are in need.
Our volunteers take on various roles, from serving as ‘calling buddies’ who check in on new mothers to ensure they are doing well, to our visitation team, which provides in-person support. These teams act as a modern-day ‘motherhood village,’ teaching new mothers how to breastfeed, ensuring babies are nourished, and offering emotional support to prevent postpartum depression.
Lives Changed, Legacies Built
Our success stories are too many to count. One that stands out is a pregnant mother who was referred to us by an African doctor who had heard about our work. She was 54 years old and seven months pregnant with twins. We immediately stepped in, gathering baby essentials and formulating a birth plan. Another instance involved four refugee women, each referred at different times from Mustard Seed. They had little to no support, and we stepped in to provide essentials; labor support, and a stable network.
Today, all four women live together in a shared home, supporting one another, while we continue to visit them weekly. Then there was the Ph.D. student in Edmonton who gave birth to triplets. We quickly mobilized our women’s network to assist her, providing baby food, diapers, and a cash gift of $780. The new mother was overwhelmed with gratitude.
Tackling Bigger Battles
Beyond direct support, we address systemic issues such as racism, health inequalities, and gender-based violence. Through workshops, community dialogues, and resource-sharing initiatives, we empower families with knowledge about their rights and available services. We work with healthcare providers, policymakers, and community leaders to advocate for culturally competent care and equitable access to resources. Our visitation team checks in on families regularly, ensuring we remain aware of any urgent needs and can act quickly to provide solutions.
The Road Ahead
Looking ahead, we aim to expand our services and deepen our impact. One of our biggest goals is to establish a transitional home for homeless pregnant women, providing them with a safe space and necessary support. We also envision creating a respite home where new mothers can take a break while our volunteers care for their babies. Additionally, securing funding for transportation and material support, strengthening mental health initiatives, and developing a resource centre with culturally relevant meals and support services are top priorities.
Love in Action
Leading a nonprofit is both rewarding and demanding. The emotional weight of the work is significant, but every time I see a mother regain her strength, a baby receive proper care, or a family find stability, I am reminded of why I started this journey.
Hands Lifting Hearts is a community, a family, and a testament to the power of giving. The work is far from over, but with each life we touch, we take one step closer to creating a world where no mother has to face the journey alone.
