Providing a helping hand to vulnerable families in need of childcare support
For one woman grieving two miscarriages, VHA Home HealthCare’s Helping Hands: Home Support for Families program is helping her find hope for the future.
Erzsebet is a 34-year-old mother with four children, ages 14, eight, four and 15 months. While she already has her hands full raising a family, she’s also dealing with the grief of two miscarriages: with twins in December 2023 and another when she was two months pregnant in July 2024.
As she dealt with her grief, it was hard for Erzsebet to focus on the care of her children. But she was also anxious because she lacked in-home or community support. Her partner works long hours in construction, building kitchens to provide for the family’s needs, so he’s not able to provide Erzsebet with any relief from childcare duties.
While dealing with depression and grief, it was hard for Erzsebet to attend to even the most basic activities of daily living, such as taking a bath or preparing a meal for herself. And she couldn’t attend doctor’s appointments because she had no one to help her look after her younger children. “I had a hard time focusing on the care of my children,” she said.
She was exhausted from being alone all day with her young children, but also couldn’t sleep well at night.
Erzsebet was referred to the VHA Home HealthCare (VHA) Helping Hands: Home Support for Families program by pc28Public Health. VHA is a not-for-profit home care organization, and Helping Hands: Home Support for Families is a United Way Greater pc28funded program and one of VHA’s Responsive Community Care charitable programs.
“I am so happy these days, because when Betlehem comes to my home, takes care of my kids, I am free when she is here,” said Erzsebet.
Contributed
Erzsebet was assigned a VHA child and family worker, Betlehem, for support, who visits two to three times a week, for about three hours each visit. Even after a short period of time, the program has already been making a noticeable difference in Erzsebet and her family’s life.
In-home, hands-on help provides her with some relief — and time to herself, whether she needs a nap or to run to a doctor’s appointment. “I’m more rested,” she said. So when Betlehem leaves, she’s able to be more active and focused on the kids. She also feels more capable of coping with everyday situations.
This program plays an important role in helping low-income parents of newborn children manage their health and well-being, as well as connect to related community services. It also helps women, like Erzsebet, who’ve experienced miscarriages and need additional childcare support while navigating their grief.
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VHA’s care providers offer in-home, hands-on help — as well as encouragement — for women and parents who feel overwhelmed and isolated. This gives them the time and space they need to focus on their own healing and recovery.
Helping Hands: Home Support for Families provides support in four key ways: providing short-term, in-home child care for infants and toddlers; maintaining a clean, safe home environment; performing home supports including laundry and healthy meal preparation; and connecting parents with community resources to ensure ongoing support.
While the program is short term, it also connects them to community supports that can help them maintain their well-being over the long term — so parents can remain employed and their children can thrive.
Erzsebet is still processing her loss. But she no longer feels as stressed about the future. Rather, she trusts that there will be additional support if she needs it. As for her children? “They’re loving it,” she said. “They love having someone else who is able to pay attention to them and care for them.”
For more information about the program, visit . And learn more about VHA’s Responsive Community Care programs at .
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