At Good Counsel, we walk alongside mothers at some of the most vulnerable and critical moments of their lives. Sometimes, it's the smallest acts of service—a warm meal, a listening ear, or even a ride in a van—that open the door to healing. Natalie’s story is one that reminds us how essential these acts can be.

Natalie came to live at our Spring Valley home during a time of deep personal transition. Pregnant and alone, she had recently left an unhealthy relationship and found herself with nowhere safe to go. Like so many of the women we serve, Natalie didn’t just need a roof over her head—she needed stability, support, and space to begin again.

Shortly after arriving at Good Counsel, Natalie gave birth to a healthy baby boy. At first, she focused all her energy on caring for him. But in the days and weeks following the birth, it became clear that something was wrong. While she lovingly tended to her newborn’s needs, Natalie completely withdrew from her own. She stopped eating, refused to bathe or change clothes, and rarely left her room. Though our staff gently encouraged her each day—offering comfort, conversation, and guidance—she remained deeply withdrawn.

Postpartum depression is a silent and powerful force. It often masks itself behind a mother’s sense of duty to her child, making it easy for others—and even the mother herself—to overlook the warning signs. But our team is trained to see beyond the surface. Natalie’s Case Manager continued to check in and gently encourage her to accept help.

One day, a routine pediatric appointment provided an unexpected opportunity for a breakthrough. As Natalie and her baby rode in the agency van, the Case Manager used the quiet moment to ask how she was really feeling. To her credit and courage, Natalie opened up. By the time they reached the doctor’s office, she admitted something she hadn’t told anyone else—she was having suicidal thoughts.

The pediatrician offered a referral to therapy, but the Case Manager knew more immediate intervention was needed. She calmly brought Natalie and her baby back to the home, consulted with agency leadership, and convinced Natalie to go to the hospital for a full psychiatric evaluation. While hesitant to leave her child, Natalie agreed—on one condition: she wanted to continue breastfeeding during her stay. This connection was vital to her, not just physically but emotionally. It gave her purpose, even in the midst of despair.

For the next several days, the Case Manager made daily trips between the hospital and the Spring Valley home in the agency van. She brought breastmilk back to Natalie’s baby and words of encouragement to Natalie herself. This simple but compassionate act provided not only nourishment but a lifeline—a message that she was not alone, and that she and her child were still connected.

When Natalie was discharged, now stabilized with the support of medication and counseling, her Case Manager was there once again to drive her home. She returned not just as a resident, but as a mother beginning her journey of healing with renewed hope and support.

Natalie’s story reflects the very heart of Good Counsel’s mission: to support pregnant and parenting mothers experiencing homelessness and hardship. In our homes, we offer more than shelter. We offer a comprehensive program that includes parenting classes, life skills training, counseling, education support, and access to healthcare. Each woman is treated with dignity, empowered to reclaim her future, and supported every step of the way.

But none of this is possible without practical tools—like reliable transportation. Whether it’s getting to medical appointments, job interviews, or therapy sessions, a simple ride can mean the difference between despair and healing. In Natalie’s case, it was the bridge between crisis and recovery.

We often say that every mother who comes to Good Counsel is a story of courage in progress. Natalie’s journey reminds us that when we show up—consistently, compassionately, and without judgment—we become part of that story. One mile, one conversation, one act of care at a time.

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