Last week, we gathered as a community to celebrate a defining moment: Mama2Mama officially became 4th Trimester. This wasn’t just a rebranding—it was a declaration that postpartum care deserves its own space, its own recognition, and its own fierce advocacy.
U.S. Representative Judy Chu joined us to celebrate and to challenge us. As co-sponsor of H.R. 4150, the Advancing Maternal Health Equity Under Medicaid Act, she’s fighting to expand postpartum Medicaid coverage to a full year after birth.
She reminded us that while the political landscape is tough, organizations like ours are essential—stepping in to fill gaps that shouldn’t exist. And she urged us to keep going: keep showing up, keep speaking out, keep supporting the work that the government has failed to do.
How We Got Here
We reflected on the journey from grassroots effort to a growing nonprofit, and to 2025—a year that didn’t go as planned. The January wildfires and the shutdown of asylum processing through CBP One forced us to pivot fast. But we did—distributing nearly $140,000 in direct cash assistance and supporting nearly 850 people through wildfire relief alone.
In 2025, we quadrupled our revenue, launched our first three-year strategic plan, and doubled our staff to keep pace with growing needs. That growth made it possible to launch our monthly Care Closet, spaces where mothers can choose what they need with dignity, connect with one another, and receive support at no cost.
What RISE Means
We introduced our next program in design for 2026: RISE (Resources for Income, Shelter, and Empowerment). It will provide unconditional cash support to low-income, single parents, expanding our commitment to promote financial stability and dignity during the critical postpartum period—an idea born directly from our wildfire response.
More than half of our cash assistance recipients were single mothers already carrying so much. As one mother, Kerri, told us: “Our fire babies—and fire moms—desperately need a village rebuilt. Mama2Mama [4th Trimester] is now that village for more than 150 local families.”
RISE is our commitment to being that village for the long haul. Because stability isn’t a luxury—it’s essential for healthy families.
The Work Continues
This launch is about stepping forward with clarity and conviction. We’re no longer waiting for systems to change. We’re building the alternative.
If you haven’t already, share 4th Trimester with one person who needs to know about this work. Tell them about RISE. Tell them what’s possible when a community decides that postpartum care is non-negotiable.
Volunteer with Us!
Looking for a way to support new parents in our community? We’d love your help! You can:
- Volunteer at our monthly Care Closet (next event: Oct 29)
- Deliver meals to postpartum families
Learn more and sign up HERE or email cayla@4thtri.org. Every little bit helps families feel supported.
Thank you for being part of this movement. The future we’re building belongs to all of us.
Welcome to 4th Trimester.
