April 2026 Newsletter

As we step into spring, we are so grateful for your continued support of Josie’s Grace. Because of you, families in our community are receiving care, connection, and hope during one of life’s most vulnerable seasons.

Spring is a time of renewal and growth, and we are inspired every day by the strength and resilience of the mothers and families we serve. Thank you for being part of this community and helping us continue this important work.

Message from Anne

Spring returns color to our community, and for a new mother, the return of the light can feel like a quiet renewal—a steady spark of hope even in the haze of sleepless nights.

May is a cornerstone for our organization as we lean into Maternal Mental Health Awareness. Just as we’ve begun tending to the physical seeds for our healing garden🌻, we are now seeing the "seeds" of our 4th trimester program bloom. After three and a half years of advocacy, our community is responding with a flourish of partnerships, donations, and vital peer support.

One example is the Newark Area Welfare Committee with whom we have formed a partnership and who just donated $10,000.00 to our shared mission of supporting mental health in Newark. Thank you NAWC!

Mental illness remains the most common medical complication of childbirth, yet it is the least likely to be screened or treated. By growing these resources together, we aren't just planting a garden; we are shifting the landscape of maternal health in Delaware and ensuring no family has to face the darkness alone.

Client Spotlight

This quarter we are honored to share the experience of our client, Jackie Ogando.

Jackie Ogando is a nurse, a mom of four, and a two-time alum of the Josie’s Grace program—bringing both personal and professional insight into the power of postpartum support.

Jackie first connected with Anne through Christiana Women’s Emotional Wellness (CWEW) after the birth of her daughter, where they worked together during her first year postpartum. When preparing for the arrival of her third child, Jackie again sought postpartum support. After learning Anne had left CWEW Jackie, in trying to find her, did a Google search and found Josie's Grace! She joined Cohort 2 in December 2022 while navigating a particularly challenging time, with her son hospitalized with a respiratory virus, RSV.

Her experience with Josie’s Grace was so meaningful that she returned to the G.R.A.C.E. program again in December 2024 after the birth of her fourth child. In between, Jackie also served as a supporting nurse with Josie’s Grace from September 2023 through August 2024—further deepening her connection to the mission and the families it serves.

Jackie describes the program as “so fulfilling,” highlighting the unique dynamic among participating mothers. “The combination of moms allows a place for everyone. We have veteran moms and new moms. If you turn to a mom on your right, she can share valuable insight into motherhood, and if you turn to a mom on your left, you can return the favor. It fills your cup from both sides—giving and receiving.”

Now, Jackie is a passionate advocate for Josie’s Grace, sharing its mission with expecting mothers wherever she goes. “Everyone deserves a village,” she says. “And even if you already have one, an external village is important too.”

"I found Josie's Grace to be so fulfilling. The combination of veteran moms, new moms and moms from all cultures allows you to give as well as receive. It fills your cup from both sides."

Program Updates

By the Numbers

The 4th Trimester G.R.A.C.E. program has served 250 total moms and babies to date. February 2026, Cohort 31 was the biggest cohort so far, serving 13 moms and babies compared to when the program started in 2022 serving a maximum of 8 moms/babies per cohort. We shifted to three days a week to accommodate. We have never turned a mom away. Few programs can ever say that!

With your help, we will be able to continue this work at no cost beyond our founding grant ~ in 2027 and beyond.

Beyond 4th Trimester

Josie's Grace recently kicked off the first ever Dad's Group which included our "Founding Fathers" AJ, Nan, Jesse and Aran. These Dad's have partners who have completed the G.R.A.C.E. Program and they get together for fellowship and support.

They meet twice a month, one meeting onsite led by a provider and another peer led meeting in a more social setting. The group has been meeting at Sleeping Bird Cafe in Wilmington which is owned by an alumni of the program. Dad's are supporting each other and local small business at the same time. If you would like to join the Dad's group you can get meeting dates and times on the public Facebook Group Josie's Grace Dads Group and/or by emailing us at hello@josiesgrace.com

In the Garden

Good Things Grow Here

As we enter the third season of the Healing Garden at Josie’s Grace, we are filled with gratitude and excitement for what lies ahead.

What began as a simple vision has grown into a meaningful outdoor space where families can pause, breathe, and reconnect—with themselves, with one another, and with the natural world. The garden offers a place to rest and relax, while also creating opportunities to learn about gardening and the powerful connection between nurturing the land and nourishing our bodies.

This season brings an especially exciting milestone. Thanks to the efforts of Lauren Denis—Josie’s Grace program alumna and member of our Board of Directors—we were awarded a $5,000 Urban Farmer and Gardener Mini Grant from the Delaware Department of Agriculture. Lauren’s leadership and dedication to this project have helped make it possible for us to strengthen the garden’s infrastructure, improve its vitality, and expand what we are able to offer to the families we serve.

Whether tending to the soil, harvesting fresh ingredients, or simply sitting in a moment of quiet, the garden reflects the heart of Josie’s Grace: creating accessible, restorative experiences for families.

Spoiler alert! We have a special butterfly program developing as well 🦋

As we prepare for the upcoming season, we welcome those who would like to be part of this special space. We are currently seeking volunteers to help with garden care and maintenance, and we are gratefully accepting donations of plants and gardening supplies to support the continued growth of the garden.

We look forward to another season of planting, learning, and growing—together.

Pictured above are Lauren Denis and her little one tending the garden.

From the Board

The Josie’s Grace Board of Directors has been actively working behind the scenes to strengthen and grow our impact in the community. One exciting element of that is the formation of our new Development Committee, a dedicated group focused on advancing our fundraising efforts and ensuring the long-term sustainability of our programs.

As we continue to expand, we are seeking volunteers who are interested in joining the Development Committee. This is a wonderful opportunity for individuals who are passionate about our mission and would like to contribute their time, ideas, and energy toward fundraising initiatives, donor engagement, and community partnerships.

fundraisers. We are also exploring secure, supportive platforms to host virtual discussion spaces for our community—including alumni moms, current participants, and volunteers. Our goal is to create safe, accessible environments where connection, support, and shared experiences can continue beyond the program.

We are grateful for the continued support of our community and look forward to growing together in new and meaningful ways.

In the Community

Josie's Grace founder and board, strives to deepen its presence throughout the community through partnerships, outreach events, and collaborative referrals that connect mothers with the care they need. These are just a few examples of the events Anne and her team have participated in:

"This winter, we’ve been hard at work preparing for an active spring season. On January 23rd, we represented maternal mental health at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) event at the Bay Health Campus in Dover. The following week we were honored by a visit from Lt. Gov. Kyle Evans-Gay. Her leadership and passion will help lead improved maternal mental health outcomes in DE. More recently, on March 18th, we celebrated Women’s History Month co-hosting an event with woman's group within Capital One and planting a seed of collaboration. We attended the Mental Health Association of DE 25th annual conference and participated in our first 'Do More 24' event raising over $1375.00! We look forward to even more ways to engage with you this spring!"

Volunteer Corner

At Josie’s Grace, we are incredibly fortunate to be supported by volunteers who bring both heart and experience to our mission—and Janice Myers RN, MSN, APRN is an example of both. She brings leadership and commitment to every role she holds.

Before joining Josie’s Grace, Janice retired from Nemours Children’s Hospital as a Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist in the NICU. Her expertise and dedication to caring for mothers and babies continue to shine through in her work with our families.

Janice’s connection to Josie’s Grace runs deep. She has known our founder, Anne, for over 25 years, dating back to their time working together as NICU nurses at the Christiana Hospital. Over the past few years, Janice has been a steady and guiding presence—volunteering her time, serving on the Board of Directors, and recently began leading our volunteer program as Director of Volunteers. We are grateful for Janice’s unwavering support, her generosity of spirit, and the care she brings to every family she touches.