Mighty Little Giants (MLG) is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that advocates through providing support, education, and hope for Black mothers/birthing persons and fathers experiencing preterm deliveries resulting in long-term stays in hospital NICUs. MLG’s mission is to stand in the gap with and for Black families with babies in the NICU by embracing MLG’s core values: Integrity, Compassion, and Encouragement. Within its  mission, one of its main goals is to empower the prenatal moms/birthing people that the organization supports (that are on bedrest) with the tools they need to advocate for a joyous birthing experience. For families who have babies in the NICU, MLG strives to provide them with peace, education, compassion, and support in the midst of their storm.

A member of the Antelope Valley AAIMM Community Action Team, MLG believes that it’s important to uplift black women into positions of power and let their voices be heard loud and clear in an effort to end racial disparities. Therefore, MLG strives to highlight the work of Black women by participating in Black female-lead events, sponsorships, fundraisers, and promotions. Jessica Wade, founder of MLG, is a Black woman and has ensured that the organization also has Black women on its Board of Directors. MLG believes that this is an integral part of the work and enables the organization to better empathize with the families it serves. 

“There are so many racial disparities and lack of education and advocacy when it comes to preterm Black babies as well as Black babies and families in the NICU. There are many support programs for preterm births and NICU support groups, but not too many meet the needs of black families,” stated Wade. “I have yet to come across a Black woman lead organization that provides wrap-around support for Black mothers on bedrest as well as support while navigating the NICU with the countless stressors that occur inside and outside of the hospital.”

MLG’s mission of supporting the physical and mental well-being of Black women/birthing persons, fathers, partners, and families before, during, or after birth by providing respite care; fostering a positive sense of self, and increasing access to healthy and joyous births aligns with the mission of AAIMM. The foundation of MLG’s support for Black moms is built on Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs. In order to bring mothers peace during this stressful time, MLG focuses on the overall health and well-being of the birthing person. MLG is committed to ensuring that all of the needs of the mothers they support are met and they have the confidence needed to stand in the gap for their birthing story as well as their child. 

MLG now provides doula support, lactation education and so much more! If you’re an expecting mom on bedrest, or a new mom/birthing person in the NICU, when you are supported, educated, empowered and receive compassion from someone who looks like you, that automatically provides a joyous and healthy birthing experience and a sense of security.

Mighty Little Giants and The Village Fund

In addition to preventive support, MLG works to provide NICU postpartum support, education, and NICU Essential Self Care Kits to Black moms who currently have babies in the NICU. So far, MLG supported 12 Black families with continued NICU support, postpartum support, supplies, and resources. Within those 12 families, six of the mothers/birthing persons have received a scholarship to receive free NICU postpartum doula and lactation support on a bi-weekly basis until their baby is charged home. Two of those moms have been discharged and are now a part of MLG’s “Let's Talk NICU Lunch Series,” a virtual support group held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month, while the others are still receiving the services. 

MLG’s NICU Essential Self Care Kits contain essential items that assist with the mother/birthing person’s postpartum season. They include a mask, hand sanitizer, journal, March of Dimes curriculum, and so much more. The kits—including the boxes and storage—are worth approximately $115 each and, thanks to funding, the organization has been able to distribute 91 so far. In order to receive the kits, families must submit their request here on the MLG website, their needs are verified and the kit is mailed to their home or directly to the hospital (whatever they prefer). Said Wade, “When we call to verify their need, so far I have been able to learn so much about their current situation and we're able to link them to additional resources. The kits are free while supplies last! My goal is to reach out to sponsors and local companies for donations so that we can continue this program.”

Currently, MLG is working on hiring a program assistant to assist with implementing and organizing the projects and support community outreach, including marketing and fundraising efforts for September (NICU Awareness Month) and November (Prematurity Awareness Month). They also plan on bringing aboard an intern to assist with social media and data entry. Mighty Little Giants is blessed to have over 30 Black moms as volunteers who have experienced being overlooked in the hospital while on bedrest, dealt with the toxic stress of being Black in the NICU, and some have experienced infant loss due to their pain not being taken seriously within an inequitable healthcare system. Their volunteers assist with peer-to-peer mentoring, stuffing the Self Care Kits, as well as being a part of the "Let's Talk NICU Lunch Series."

Contact

Website: www.mightylittlegiants.org

Email: Jessica Wade, [email protected]