As a nurse with Care Ring North Carolina’s Nurse-Family Partnership, Anita Beatty has had the privilege of watching Christaiua Williams and her daughter Daylynn grow over the past two years. Through the program, which connects expectant mothers with a nurse who visits them at home before and after their baby arrives, for up to two years, mothers receive support during the critical beginning of their child’s life.

Williams, a single mom, was overwhelmed and scared when she was expecting her daughter. However, through her biweekly visits with Beatty, she received counseling and coaching, learning everything she needed to know for her daughter’s wellbeing. Beatty explains that her role is to support and provide education around health for mothers, teaching them how to advocate for what they need.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women, with access to health care and structural racism playing a role. Beatty has seen this firsthand, which is why she continues her work through Care Ring. She finds it humbling to be able to provide something that mothers are in need of, even if they don’t always know what they need.

Care Ring is currently aiming to expand the Nurse-Family Partnership program across the greater Charlotte area, providing support to mothers until their children are 2 years old. With this expansion, more mothers will have access to the valuable resources and support they need during one of the most critical times in their lives.