Path to Stability in Motherhood
Category: Client Story
August 5, 2025
When she first connected with Any Baby Can's Nurse-Family Partnership program at six months pregnant, Tina was experiencing homelessness, living out of her car with her partner and working DoorDash to make ends meet. She was excited about motherhood, but nervous about starting the program.
"I was hesitant at first. I didn't have a place to stay, so I didn’t know where we would meet or how it would go." Tina recalled.
Housing instability can have negative effects on both mom and baby’s health outcomes including preterm birth, higher NICU admission, increase in complications and more. Tina knew she wanted more for her little family.
Housing Instability in Motherhood
Tina’s nurse Eunice was respectful and accommodating. Their first meeting was outside of a Target. But they found a consistent meeting spot at a public library and started meeting weekly throughout Tina’s pregnancy.
Eunice helped Tina find doctors for her baby and talked about finding a safe place to live before the baby came. Eunice offered regular prenatal care, checking Tina’s blood pressure and growth, while also helping with other aspects of her life, including setting goals and planning for the future. Eunice remained a constant source of education, support and resources.
“From the word go, it was evident that Tina wanted the best for her baby and her family. She was eager to learn and open to exploring available resources. No having a place to live was not a barrier for Tina in terms of taking care of her health as she understood that a healthy mom means a healthy baby,” reflects Eunice, Tina's Any Baby Can nurse.
Just before Tina’s due date, she made a brave decision: she moved into Annunciation Maternity Home (AMH) with the help of Eunice. This meant leaving her baby's father temporarily, a difficult choice that everyone agreed ultimately was for the best. When Eunice visited Tina at AMH, she saw that Tina was happy, well-rested, and had great care.
“Eunice went out of her way to help us. I literally cried when she was able to get us a $200 HEB gift card. She made me feel cared for,” says Tina.
A Guiding Light
After her son was born, Eunice continued to be a guiding light. She monitored his development, helped create healthy routines, and supported Tina in breastfeeding and growing her bond with her baby.
"I don't know if I would have gotten into a maternity home," she admitted, "I was so close to my due date. I could have started automatically with a CPS case. Realistically it could have been a turn for the worse."
Eunice's support helped her "see the light in everything" when she felt down or worried, providing answers to her many questions and connecting her to vital resources.
Thriving and Moving Forward
Tina’s son is now four months old and thriving! He’s a chunky, playful baby who is loved and cared for. Tina’s husband is getting support as well, so they can re-join him and start their family on a better foundation. Tina is working to find a new job and a permanent home.
“She has navigated motherhood with grace, resilience and resourcefulness. She has become a great advocate not just for herself and her baby, but also her husband. Whenever she can, she involves him in our visits where he gets to participate in the discussions. She lights up every time she is talking to her baby,” says Eunice.
Tina wants everyone to know how much Any Baby Can is able to help. She wants to tell everyone who’s considering getting involved to “just do it.”
“It can only help your situation and it's not going to hurt. It's so nice to sit down with someone who understands and knows what they're talking about,” urges Tina.
Tina's story shows how much a little help and direction can change someone's life, giving them hope and a chance for a better future.
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