By Katie Schmierer
Founder + Executive Director of Nevaeh Living
A nurse, doula, childbirth educator, adoptive mother and passionate advocate for mother’s and babies…
There is something extraordinary about the relationship between a mother and her baby.
Long before a child understands words, they begin experiencing the world through connection. Through the sound of a familiar voice, the warmth of being held, the comfort of someone responding to their needs.
These early experiences begin shaping a child’s understanding of safety, trust, and belonging.
But there is another part of this story that matters just as deeply.
The mother needs to experience safety, too.
Pregnancy and the postpartum season are times of profound physical, emotional, and relational change. For a woman who has experienced trauma, exploitation, abuse, or instability, these seasons can carry additional layers of vulnerability.
And yet, they can also hold extraordinary opportunities for healing.
When a mother is surrounded by compassionate care, when her needs are recognized and her voice is honored, when she has the opportunity to experience safe and consistent relationships, something meaningful begins to happen.
She is not simply learning how to care for her baby.
She is experiencing what it means to be cared for herself.
At Nevaeh Living, we believe this matters for both generations.
Supporting maternal wellbeing is not separate from nurturing healthy infant development. The two are deeply connected. When mothers have access to safety, responsive support, education, and meaningful relationships, we help create conditions where connection and attachment can grow.
This does not mean that healing happens all at once. Nor does it mean that a mother must have everything figured out before she can offer love and security to her child.
Healing is a process. Connection is built through countless ordinary moments. And even when relationships experience difficulty, there are opportunities for repair, growth, and new beginnings.
The patterns we inherit do not have to be the patterns we pass on.
This is part of the heart behind Nevaeh Living.
We envision a place where women are supported throughout pregnancy, birth, postpartum recovery, and the early years of motherhood. A place where they can experience safety, discover their own worth, build confidence, and develop the relationships and skills that support both their wellbeing and their children’s.
Because when we invest in the wellbeing of a mother, we are also investing in the life of her child.
And when we create space for healing in one generation, we open the possibility of something different for the next.
Sometimes, healing begins with something as simple and profound as a mother discovering that she no longer has to navigate life alone.
And from that place of connection, something new can begin.
Throughout October, we’re exploring Healing Across Generations—
recognizing that our stories, relationships, and experiences shape how we understand ourselves and the world around us. Some of what we carry is beautiful and worth passing on; other patterns may invite us into greater awareness, compassion, and healing.
At Nevaeh Living, we believe that understanding our stories is not about assigningblame or remaining defined by the past. It is about creating space for new experiences of safety, connection, and restoration—discovering that what has shaped us does not have to determine what comes next.
And sometimes, the healing that begins in one life can create new possibilities for generations to come.
What’s Taking Shape at Nevaeh Living
While much of this work continues quietly behind the scenes, each piece is helping strengthen the foundation of Nevaeh Living.
- Developing Our Therapeutic Programming: We’re continuing to build our trauma-informed Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), thoughtfully integrating Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) principles, whole-person care, and opportunities for healing, connection, and growth.
- Preparing for Community Education: We’re exploring opportunities to offer educational experiences in 2027, bringing together maternal wellness, parenting support, healthy relationships, and emotional well-being through The Becoming Experience.
- Building Meaningful Partnerships: We’re strengthening relationships with healthcare professionals, community organizations, churches, and individuals who share our vision for supporting mothers and babies.
- Preparing for Our First Home: We’re continuing the foundational work of identifying a suitable property and preparing for a residential environment where mothers and babies can experience safety, dignity, stability, and compassionate care.
- Strengthening Our Foundation: Behind the scenes, our team continues developing the policies, operational systems, resources, and organizational infrastructure needed to serve families responsibly and sustainably.
Help Us Create a Foundation for Generations of Healing
At Nevaeh Living, we believe that when a mother is surrounded by safety, compassionate care, and meaningful support, the possibilities extend far beyond her own healing. The relationships she builds, the connection she nurtures with her baby, and the opportunities she has to grow can create a foundation of hope for generations to come.
As we prepare our programs and future home, your generosity helps us create more than a place of refuge. It helps us build an environment where mothers and babies can experience safety together, where healthy relationships are nurtured, and where new patterns of connection and care can begin.
Monthly giving is especially meaningful during this season. Consistent support allows us to continue developing trauma-informed programs, strengthening community partnerships, and preparing the resources and spaces needed to welcome mothers and babies with dignity and care.
Whether you give once or choose to become a monthly partner, you are helping create opportunities for healing that can reach beyond one life and into the generations that follow.
If you’d like to stay connected or share this with someone you love:
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