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Mercy in Action Stories

Through accompaniment, Catholic Charities empowers new moms with confidence 

By Karen Moore  • April 30, 2026

Doula Keiona Johnson checks in with one of the babies
during an event with the Roseland Adolescent Parenting
Program. Photo by Kathleen Hinkel

For 33 years, I have dedicated my career at Catholic Charities to mothers and families. From my first role as a HeadStart teacher to my current role as director of our Pregnancy and Parenting program, I really enjoy seeing the interactions and the bonding between moms and their babies. The moms who participate in our programs are already great moms who love their kids, and they’re just trying to become even better moms. They come to us very vulnerable and trusting. We don’t try to teach them — we accompany them. We listen to their goals and help them. 

Moms attend our parenting group sessions, and staff conduct home visits to witness how moms and dads interact with their children. I love seeing the parent-child interactions and family bond strengthen. It’s also very rewarding for me to witness the care our staff brings to moms and their families. Our doulas and our home visitors have built a rapport to make strong connections with these families, which is vital to the work they do. Once we build that relationship and trust, we can walk hand-in-hand with moms. We accompany them as they learn about important developmental milestones for their children, then encourage them to establish goals we can work toward together. 

Moms of all ages seek the expertise of our doulas who meet with them to discuss their desired birth plans and ensure those plans have been reviewed and approved by their doctor. Doulas teach new moms what to expect during and after labor and delivery. They show them how to feed their baby and encourage regular pediatrician wellness visits. Our team provides diapers and wipes, developmental toys, and other essentials during home visits, as well as referrals for pediatricians, childcare, or other community resources to help moms be successful. 

Improving Lives

Mothers and children from low-income households disproportionately experience worse outcomes during pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood, creating gaps that last into adulthood and carry over to the next generation. In Cook and Lake counties, some of the highest maternal mortality rates and worst health disparities exist in low-income communities. Catholic Charities offers expert guidance and loving care to at-risk parents and caregivers during the critical months before and following birth, improving the health of moms and babies, building conditions for lifelong health, and moving more families impacted by poverty toward optimal outcomes. 

We offer free programs for eligible moms and families in and around Chicago’s Roseland community and beyond, as well as those residing in Chicago’s western suburbs and Lake County. All of these programs send Catholic Charities team members to visit expectant and new parents with young children to strengthen parent-child interactions and strengthen family bonds.  

Last year, our team provided 2,593 successful home visits to 548 parents in our community. 

I encourage moms to ask questions and be open to learning. They learn to develop a bond with their baby by talking to and reading to their baby, and they learn practical skills around feeding their baby, providing developmental toys, and more.  

I was born and raised in Roseland, and I drive by the house I grew up in every day on my way to work. I know this community well, and I remember what it was like to be a new mom and how scary it can be. We teach moms how to enjoy these early days with their babies, because it goes fast! 

Karen Moore is the director of the Pregnancy and Parenting Program for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago. 

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