FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 2026 Prince William County, VA — The Virginia Women and Family Support Center (VAWFSC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Eugenia R. Gardner, Ph.D., as Chair of its Board of Directors effective immediately. As Board Chair, Dr. Gardner will help guide the organization's strategic vision and strengthen its mission to empower women, support families, and create pathways to long-term stability and success throughout the Commonwealth of Virg

There is no feeling like holding your child for the first time in a safe home. Today, Maya experienced that joy as she brought one of her twin boys home from the hospital into the Haymarket House at Virginia Women and Family Support Center. Her daughter’s excitement holding her baby brother was contagious, and Maya felt a sense of peace she had not felt in months. In just two weeks, Maya's second baby boy will join them, and they will finally be a complete family! Before comi

The Amazon Prince William County Community Fund has awarded a generous grant to Virginia Women and Family Support Center (VAWFSC) in support of its Breaking Cycles Program, a two-year residential initiative serving mothers and children experiencing homelessness in Prince William County. This investment represents a meaningful commitment to addressing maternal health disparities, family homelessness, and economic instability within the region. The VAWFSC Breaking Cycles Progra

Maternal Health Awareness Day is a powerful reminder that every mother deserves safe, respectful, and high-quality care before, during, and after pregnancy. By raising awareness, we can help ensure healthier futures for mothers, babies, and families everywhere. A healthy mother means a healthy family and a stronger community. From prenatal checkups to postpartum well-being, every pregnancy is a journey that deserves care, respect, and support. At Virginia Women and Family Sup

At Virginia Women and Family Support Center, we are incredibly grateful for the organizations that step up to support our goal of helping pregnant mothers and mothers with children in their time of need. On January 19, 2026, honoring MLK Day of Service, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Sisterhood and Educational and Charitable Foundation donated an astounding 42,332 wipes and 6,773 diapers as part of their diaper drive. This donation directly addressed an urgent need within our ce

It takes a community to run a nonprofit, and we couldn’t be more thankful for the passionate community that supports ours at Virginia Women and Family Support Center (VAWFSC). VAWFSC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to housing pregnant women and their children experiencing homelessness for two years. But more than that, we offer a pathway to stability, dignity, and independence through our holistic housing and person-first approach. The Virginia Women and Family Support Team

On September 6th, 2025, Virginia Women and Family Support Center hosted the 6th Annual Every Baby Deserves a Home Gala, a heartfelt fundraiser dedicated to supporting women and families experiencing homelessness.

Gainesville, VA – August 15, 2025 – The Virginia Women and Family Support Center (VAWFSC) hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday to celebrate the opening of its Carried To Full Term Maternal Health Program, a new initiative designed to support women facing maternal health challenges and crisis pregnancies. The program, based at 14019 Glenkirk Road in Gainesville, will provide pregnancy tests, sonograms, maternal health classes, and advocacy tools for expecting and new mother

From left to right: Gabby Brainoo, Nithya Kasiraman, Carmina Carreon, Hannah Lee, Japleen Gill, Noor Musa, Karla Ventura. ...

Gainesville, VA — August 2, 2025 — The Virginia Women and Family Support Center (VAWFSC) proudly welcomed Chair Deshundra Jefferson of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors to its campus this week. Her visit underscored a shared commitment to advancing health equity through the maternal health program, housing stability, and opportunity for students, women, and families throughout the region. Chair Jefferson received a guided tour of the Center, where she engaged di

We are thankful to have witnessed leadership that extends beyond obligation, but leadership rooted in deep care for the community. On August 1, we welcomed the Chair of the Prince William County Supervisors, Deshundra Jefferson, to our Gainesville home and office. Here, we run our StrongHer thrift store, office space, and a newly developing home for mothers and families. This visit represented a growing awareness and commitment from the county to understand and uplift the exp

Now that we’ve discussed the basics of breastfeeding, it’s time to dive into the sciences behind it. Breastfeeding may seem simple, however there are many parts of the body working together to make sure the process runs smoothly. The process of making and releasing milk is called lactation (breastfeeding). There are two hormones that take center stage during lactation. Prolactin dictates the amount of milk that is being produced, while Oxytocin causes muscle contractions that

As we head into the first week of August we will be highlighting the ins and outs of breastfeeding. An essential part of early child development, breastfeeding provides babies with the proper nourishment, and health benefits for mothers. What is Breastfeeding? According to the Cleveland Clinic, breastfeeding is when the body produces milk for the baby to consume, thus giving them nutrients and antibodies needed to help them grow. Breastfeeding is just as beneficial to mothers

Housing instability is one of the most devastating challenges a pregnant woman can face. For many pregnant women, eviction and homelessness aren’t temporary setbacks. They’re situations resulting from systemic discrimination and a lack of support that make it extremely difficult to recover, especially while caring for their maternal health. Housing is more than a roof overhead. It is a foundation for health, opportunity, and a secure environment that directly impacts the phys

Every woman deserves an equally safe and supportive pregnancy and childbirth experience. However, the reality is much harsher. Racial and economic differences cause a staggering and persistent difference in the quality of maternal health care that’s provided. Black, indigenous, LatinX, and other women of color are far more likely to face complications, receive substandard care, and even die during childbirth compared to white women. So the real question that remains is: Why d

Predicting when you'll experience a traumatic event is like asking an apple to turn into an orange, it’s impossible. Trauma can happen to anyone and happens completely unexpectedly. Whether you’re currently experiencing trauma or have in the past, here are some ways to recover from it to best take care of yourself: Spend time around trusted friends and family: Sometimes, spending time around loved ones who care for you is the best kind of therapy. Allow yourself to be vulnera

As we use this week to highlight the importance of trauma recovery, we are also recognizing those who have had their own journey of self care. One of our moms has lived through a traumatic event in her life and her way of taking care of herself and her child is one of strength and faith. Before coming to the Virginia Women and Family Support Center (VAWFSC), Briana was in an abusive relationship. She didn’t want her daughter to grow up in that kind of environment, so she fled

The Virginia Women and Family Support Center (VAWFSC) is home to single, pregnant moms who are or have been homeless. Many of our moms call our residencies home because of the endless support they receive from us and other members of our program. Week in and week out, each mom works hard to conquer homelessness and make a better living for them and their kids. Their resilience and growth inspire us each day, and is a reminder that anyone can achieve any hardship if they have

Summer time is officially here. While many minds are filled with visions of relaxing at the pool, going to the beach, and fun family barbecues, taking care of your body should be at the forefront, especially for pregnant women. Here are some tips for how to beat the heat during these sweltering summer months while pregnant: Hydration: According to Mayo Clinic “Pregnant people should drink at least 64 ounces of water daily”. Water and a variety of thirst quenching drinks, like

It is officially July, which means we’re almost halfway through the summer. When people think of July, images of colorful fireworks bursting in the sky, and hot dogs and burgers sizzling on the grill tend to come to mind. However, this month recognizes more than America’s independence; it highlights the importance of minority mental health. What is Minority Mental Health Month? Most commonly known as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, it brin