Mother and Child Alliance

11/19/2025

In observance of Transgender Day of Remembrance (November 20), an online vigil called “Give Them Their Flowers” will be hosted by organizations including Advocates for Trans Equality, the Transgender Law Center, Equality Federation, GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, and Keshet.

Transgender Day of Remembrance is an annual observance that honors the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. It’s a time to mourn those lost, celebrate their lives, and commit to working for a future that’s free of discrimination and violence.

For more information about the vigil, visit: https://glaad.org/glaad-advocates-for-trans-equality-lgbtq-leaders-and-community-members-to-host-online-vigil-for-transgender-day-of-remembrance-nov-20/

11/17/2025

For (November 17), the March of Dimes has shared its annual Report Card. For the fourth consecutive year, the United States has earned a historically low D+ grade for preterm birth.

According to the report, the national preterm birth rate remains at 10.4%, which means nearly 380,000 babies were born too soon in 2024 (1 in 10 births). Behind this year’s grade lies a sobering reality: our maternal and infant health system remains dangerously stalled.

Read more on the March of Dimes site: https://www.marchofdimes.org/about/news/us-earns-d-fourth-year-march-dimes-2025-report-card

11/14/2025

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that with the government shutdown finally over, Illinois officials say they expect full SNAP food assistance to begin flowing Friday and that the nearly 2 million people in the state that rely on the program to buy groceries will receive full benefits by Nov. 20.

The state expects all 1.8 million Illinoisans who use the food assistance program to get full benefits by Nov. 20. Several West Side communities with the region's largest number of SNAP recipients have been hit especially hard during the freeze.

11/12/2025

According to an announcement shared by Windy City Times, award-winning Chicago journalist Anna DeShawn is launching a new series titled, “Shine a Light on It: Black Women, HIV & Its Impact,” a powerful mixed-media exhibit set to open on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2025, at the Beverly Arts Center in Chicago.

The announcement continues, “This project was created out of urgency, truth, and love, directly addressing the fact that Black women remain disproportionately affected by HIV, accounting for over 50% of new diagnoses among women in the U.S.” Check out the full details on the WCT site.

CHICAGO, IL – November 7, 2025 – Chicago’s own award winning journalist Anna DeShawn is launching a new series titled, “Shine a Light on It: Black Women, HIV & Its Impact,” a powerful mixed-media exhibit scheduled to open on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2025, at the Beverly Arts Center in C...

11/10/2025

November is ! Each year in the US, 1 in 10 babies is born preterm — and the US preterm rate is currently at a 15-year high. This rising rate of premature births is unacceptable.

Prematurity affects too many moms and babies — and is fueled significantly by disparities in our healthcare system, communities, and institutions. More needs to be done to address these challenges.

On November 17, which is World Prematurity Day, the March of Dimes will release its annual report card, showcasing the latest national and state level data and providing insight into mom and baby health.

If you’d like to participate on November 17, you can plan to:

• Wear something purple to show your support.
• If you had a preterm baby or were a preemie yourself, share your baby photo on social using .
• Light it purple, including your office or home. Take a photo and tag the March of Dimes!

Find out more by visiting the March of Dimes at marchofdimes.org/pam

11/07/2025

For those in the Chicago area who need food assistance due to the delays in SNAP/Link benefits, the government shutdown, or any other reason, Block Club Chicago shared this list of food pantries, soup kitchens, mutual aid groups and other resources.

https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/05/how-to-find-food-or-help-neighbors-in-need-while-snap-is-paused

If you’re outside the Chicago area, you can use the searchable map on the website for the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Enter your zip code in the search field to find resources throughout the State of Illinois. Visit: https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/find-food-2/ -food

Block Club put together a list of resources for anyone who needs assistance or for people looking for ways to help amid the pause in food assistance benefits.

11/06/2025

November is ! It’s a time to appreciate and lift up the 63+ million family caregivers across the US who devote their time, energy, and love to supporting a family member or friend with health needs.

That includes lots of moms, of course, who often wind up caring for multiple generations simultaneously — and work hard day in and day out to support their loved ones.

This year’s theme is . At MACA, we’re joining forces with Caregiver Action Network to help connect caregivers with support, tools, and community. Visit NFCmonth.org to learn more!

11/03/2025

Millions of Illinois families may be needing help putting food on the table due to the delay in in SNAP/Link benefits and the federal government shutdown.

If you need assistance finding food, the website for the Greater Chicago Food Depository has a listing of food pantries and programs in Chicago and Cook County. And even if you’re outside the Chicago area, you can enter your zip code in the searchable map to find resources throughout the State of Illinois. Visit: https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/find-food-2/ -food

10/31/2025

Calling all crafty types ... looking for a fall project? That chill in the air means that scarf and sweater season is here. Especially this time of year, MACA moms and their babies can use soft, cuddly blankets and quilts as well as warm mittens, caps, and scarves for winter!

If you knit, crochet, quilt, or sew and you'd like to donate something for MACA moms, get in touch with us via email at development@maca-us.org!

Pictured are a few of our favorite donations: some beautiful blankets "handmade with love" for MACA moms by AIDS Foundation Chicago staffer Sacha Urban.

10/29/2025

In honor of 🐈‍⬛, our exec director Anne Statton shared these photos of her feline friend Scout in his Halloween costume. And we’d be LION if we said he didn’t look adorable! 🦁 We’re sending out purrs and ear rubs to all the kitties out there.

10/27/2025

Here’s something most parents don’t know: Nearly 9 out of 10 cases of congenital syphilis in the US could have been prevented with timely testing and treatment.

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that presents as a small painless sore — and it’s often overlooked due to a lack of noticeable symptoms. In fact, it’s so easy to miss that it’s estimated that 40% of people who are infected with syphilis don’t know it.

The reality is that most pregnant people who transmit syphilis to their babies never knew they were infected, never had symptoms, or never got screened at the right time.

The good news is that the existing treatment and testing we have are effective. The problem lies with awareness and access to proper prenatal care. What we’ve learned over many years remains true: when you fix barriers to access, you change the outcome.

Which means that it’s important for the focus not to be placed on failure or blame ... it’s about the potential to turn things around. Timely screening and treatment are all it takes to turn a statistic into a success story.

When we meet people with understanding instead of judgment, prevention becomes possible for every mom, baby, and community.

Let’s keep the positive momentum going by spreading the word and making sure moms-to-be get the information and support they need, so they can keep themselves and their babies healthy.

Visit motherandchildalliance.org to see our latest efforts and some of the ways we can help!

10/24/2025

To mark 25 years of MACA’s impact, we’re inviting supporters to join our challenge by signing up for a small monthly gift to sustain our work into 2026 and beyond.

Your monthly donation, no matter the size, helps us provide trusted care, resources, and support to moms and babies across Illinois.

It’s simple to join:

1. Click on the link below
2. Choose your donation amount
3. Select the “Make Recurring Gift” checkbox
4. Know that you’re helping to build something that lasts

💙 Every donor matters. Every dollar helps. And together, we can keep showing up for the families who need us.

Donate here: https://givemaca.givevirtuous.org/donate