Mother and Child Alliance

02/11/2026

These bright and colorful hearts were drawn by the four-year-old daughter of Humera Sayeed, our board chair, in anticipation of Valentine’s Day, which is just a few days away. We’re excited too!

And we’re grateful to everyone who’s already chipped in to our Valentine’s fundraiser. As of this writing, so far we’ve raised 13% of our $750 goal!

Donations made via this fundraiser will help power MACA’s enhanced case management service, to make sure the moms in our program continue to receive compassionate support that’s tailored to individual and family needs.

Moms with HIV need extra help before, during, and after pregnancy to help them stay healthy and deliver healthy babies. Here are just a few of the many ways our case managers assist MACA moms:

• Providing immediate support for women with HIV at labor and delivery
• Developing a birth plan
• Adhering to medications (which can be complicated!)
• Transportation to clinic appointments
• Identifying additional medical and social service needs
• Helping with applying for benefits, child care, health insurance, etc.
• Meeting basic needs like food vouchers and baby items
• Links to support groups, mental health, individual and family counseling
• And more!

Chip in to our Valentine’s Day fundraiser here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/share-the-love-a-valentines-day-campaign-for-maca

02/09/2026

Our perinatal data manager Iyesha Duckworth shared this beautiful painting she created, and writes: “I call this one ‘Self-Love.’ It’s so important to love yourself. Prioritize self-care in 2026! You can’t pour from an empty cup!”

With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, it’s valuable to be reminded that loving and taking care of ourselves is necessary before we can fully love and care for others.

Speaking of Valentine’s Day: our “Share the Love” fundraiser is under way! If you’d like to help make sure that the moms in our program get the care and support they need, you can chip in here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/share-the-love-a-valentines-day-campaign-for-maca

02/06/2026

We’re just a week away from Valentine’s Day — and as always, our hearts are with the moms we assist, and their kids and families. So we’re launching a small fundraiser with a goal of raising $750 for MACA families. Can you help us share the love by chipping in $5?

Gifts made through this effort will help sustain MACA’s enhanced case management services to make sure pregnant and parenting individuals living with HIV continue to receive compassionate, family-centered support.

You can chip in here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/share-the-love-a-valentines-day-campaign-for-maca

02/04/2026

As many as 360,000 people in Illinois could lose food assistance benefits due to changes in the federal government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The changes took effect on February 2, after being signed into law by the current administration last year.

Block Club Chicago has a helpful and informative article that covers what changed, how to find out whether it affects you, and how to find food assistance throughout Illinois.

New work restrictions and other changes to the country's food assistance program went into effect Sunday. Local food pantries are bracing for huge demand.

02/02/2026

This past weekend our exec director Anne Statton braved the frosty weather to participate in the 17th Annual F^3 Lake Half Marathon & 5K, along with her brother-in-law Bill and sister Laurie. Anne placed 10th in her age group!

F^3 Events support Girls in the Game, which helps girls finds their voices, discover their strength, and lead with confidence through fun and active sports, health and leadership programs.

At Girls in the Game, participants can try a variety of sports in a friendly, non-competitive environment while also learning about important health and leadership topics like self-advocacy and positive body image.

01/30/2026

Did you know that women made up 19% of new HIV diagnoses and 23% of people living with HIV in the United States in 2023? Women continue to bear a significant burden of HIV in the US, though their experiences are often overshadowed.

AIDSVu writes that US HIV research has traditionally focused on men, leaving gaps in understanding HIV risk, care, and outcomes for women. Women living with HIV face unique challenges, including financial burdens, stigma, and workplace barriers.

To understand HIV among women, it’s essential to examine the broader health and social factors that shape their outcomes.

Find out more by checking out “Deeper Look: HIV Among Women” on AIDSVu’s website: https://aidsvu.org/resources/deeper-look/hiv-among-women/

01/28/2026

Greetings from Atlanta, where members of Team MACA have traveled this week to participate in the 2026 CityMatCH Task Force Summit, sharing presentations focused on perinatal HIV and congenital syphilis (CS), with lots of timely updates on the current national picture.

CityMatCH is a national organization of maternal and child health leaders and programs.

Pictured are MACA exec director Anne Statton and perinatal data manager Iyesha Duckworth. Tuesday’s presentations were focused on CS, while Wednesday's and Thursday's presentations are about HIV. Go MACA!

01/26/2026

IMPORTANT! If you’re using SNAP or have a Link card, the rules are changing on February 1. Take action this week to make sure your information is up-to-date and confirm that you’re meeting new requirements.

The Greater Chicago Food Depository is providing resources and info to help. Follow the steps at chicagosfoodbank.org/snap

The Greater Chicago Food Depository adds: “We're here to help! If you have any questions about your case or you are having issues contacting IDHS, please call the Greater Chicago Food Depository's Benefits Access Team at 773-247-3663.”

01/23/2026

We’ve been meaning to give a special shout-out to Qiana Turner and Madison Elyse Events, the talented and resourceful event planner who helped bring the sparkle and shine to our 25th Anniversary Celebration at The Arbory.

Our exec director Anne Statton says: “It was a fantastic experience working with Qiana to plan and manage our event. She had so many great ideas, and was so enthusiastic about supporting MACA and our mission. Qiana helped make sure our gala was truly a night to remember, with an incredible vibe and a whole lot of joy.”

If you’re looking to plan an event now, or might be in the future, give Qiana and Madison Elyse Events, LLC a follow. Thanks again for bringing the magic, Qiana!

01/21/2026

The fifth annual is coming up on Friday, January 23 and this year’s theme is “Holding Ground on Maternal Health.” At MACA, we’re always focused on the well-being of moms and babies, so it’s never too early (or too late) for this conversation.

As the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists - ACOG notes on its website: it’s estimated that more than 80% of deaths during and after pregnancy are preventable. It’s clear that evidence-based, actionable solutions can and will save lives — solutions like:

• Equitable access to prenatal care and specialist care for those who need it.

• Birthing facilities that are equipped to meet the needs of all patients, including those facing pregnancy-related emergencies.

• The integration and adoption of patient-safety and quality improvement approaches to better prepare care teams for all the challenges that can occur during the perinatal period.

ACOG will be offering a webinar on January 23, featuring Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha, PhD, MPH, who will discuss the key role community-led solutions play in improving maternal health amidst ongoing challenges.

You can sign up for the webinar and check out other resources and info on ACOG’s website: https://www.acog.org/advocacy/policy-priorities/maternal-mortality-prevention/maternal-health-awareness-day

01/18/2026

As we observe the weekend of , we continue to be inspired by the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. As always, this holiday is an opportunity to renew our commitment to the pursuit of justice, and to supporting each other in the network of mutuality that connects us all.

For those in the Chicago area, Block Club Chicago has a roundup of great ways to honor and celebrate MLK Day, including community service, family activities, storytelling, and museum events — some with free admission.

You can honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. through community service, family activities and storytelling events across the city this weekend.

01/16/2026

We’re excited to spotlight our newest board member, the amazing and multitalented Sukhdeep (“Sukhu”) Randhawa, MD, MPH! Dr. Randhawa previously worked with MACA as a perinatal analyst while she was completing her Master of Public Health program several years ago, and she rejoined MACA in the fall of 2025 as a newly minted board member.

As a public health expert and former epidemiologist for the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Dr. Randhawa has extensive experience in treating and preventing STIs — especially in underserved areas with limited education or resources. She emphasizes that the greatest public health impact is through community education, where knowledge can be shared and passed along throughout a lifetime.

Speaking about MACA's impact, Dr. Randhawa says: "Community is our strongest ally in this kind of work. The more we can work with mothers and community leaders, the more trust and positive impact we can have. MACA is resilient, innovative, adaptive, and understands communities' needs.”

We’re so grateful to have you on Team MACA, Sukhu! Thanks for all you do.