Rising Stars: Meet Jessica Wade

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Wade.

Jessica, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Mighty Little Giants, Inc. (MLG), a National 501(c)(3) Organization that supports families with babies in the NICU by providing monthly peer-to-peer mentoring, emergency financial support, as well as life after the NICU life skills. MLG’s mission is to bridge and stand in the gap for families with babies in the NICU by embracing MLG’s core values – Integrity, Compassion and Encouragement – ultimately giving them peace and becoming their light during their dark and difficult season.

I am Jessica Wade, founding President/CEO of MLG. I have spent the last ten years working in my community, advocating for underserved women, children and families. My passion for NICU families and mothers experiencing preterm births developed as a result of my personal experience of being hospitalized on total bedrest for eight weeks prior to delivering my first son, 12-weeks prematurely. Once my son was released from the NICU after his 143-day stay, I made a promise to myself that I would do everything in my power to help families that experience similar situations. I am a Certified Doula, a Lactation Education Specialist with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Administration. I am also a proud member of the following committees and organizations: Patient and Family Advisory Committee – Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles Parent Hour Committee – Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles Home Visitation Advisory Board – Antelope Valley Partners for Health (AVPH) Cherished Futures for Black Moms & Babies – Antelope Valley Community Advisor African American Infant Maternal Mortality Planning Committee – Antelope Valley Perinatal Equity Initiative NICU Project Steering Committee (BreastfeedLA) Antelope Valley Breastfeeding Coalition My ultimate goal is to provide peace in the midst of the storm for our families.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
To be honest, there will always be some sort of struggle when you step out on faith to follow your dreams. My struggle at first was having the confidence to just start, right where I was. It has been on my heart to start an organization to support families who have babies in the NICU for years, but I always made an excuse. I would blame not having the resources nor the time. I’ve realized that when you’re operating in your purpose, you will get exactly what you need right on time and that’s been my testimony. Start right where you are, God will always provide what you need when you need it!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Mighty Little Giants is a non-profit organization that supports families who have babies in the NICU. Our mission is to bridge and stand in the gap for our families while embracing our core values of integrity, compassion and encouragement. Some of our programs include NICU Support, Life AFTER the NICU support and our Mighty Little Angels. In addition to founding MLG, I am also a Certified NICU Postpartum Doula, a CLES ( Certified Lactation Education Specialist), and I have my BS in Early Childhood Administration. I say all of that to say that our programs incorporate a little bit of everything when supporting our families. Due to Covid-19, we’ve had to think outside of the box and get creative on how we support our Families. With the NICU support program (pre-Covid) we would host monthly support groups as well as Craft & Conversation Sessions where we used art as therapy with the families. We now provide bi-weekly virtual support groups that include virtual “sip & paints”.

Our Life After the NICU Program is a support group that assists the families with creating the “New Normal.” The day our son was discharged from the NICU was the best day and also the scariest day of my life. Our babies are in such a controlled environment at the hospital, then they’re sent home and we as parents have to create a space for them to thrive in. Our Mighty Little Angels program is for the parents of the babies who don’t make it out of the NICU and transition over. We provide them with peer to peer grief support and love during this difficult time. If you would have told me that six years ago when my water broke at 21 weeks, after spending 58 days on strict hospital bed rest, then having a child fight for their life in the NICU for 143 days would turn into this, I wouldn’t believe it. Our story and my son’s sacrifice has pushed me into my purpose and I am forever grateful!

How do you think about luck?
I feel that luck or purpose has played a huge part in my business. Having to put yourself out there and share your story is hard and can be scary at times.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.mightylittlegiants.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mightylittlegiants/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MightyLittleGiants
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/MightyLilGiants
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNsPc7X7Mb0YSmLTVaNUSEQ