Mothers of Held Angels (MOHA) is a Houston-based non-profit organization dedicated to supporting mothers who have experienced the devastating loss of a child during pregnancy. Founded in 2021 by Brittany Kemp, Hollyn Keith, and Anna Noto, MOHA was born from personal grief and the need for a compassionate support system for bereaved mothers.
The organization’s mission is to normalize grief, ensuring that no mother navigates loss alone. Through hospital partnerships, community initiatives, and specialized programs, MOHA provides emotional support, resources, and advocacy to families in their most vulnerable moments.
Key Takeaways
Mothers of Held Angels (MOHA) is a non-profit organization supporting moms who have experienced pregnancy loss through emotional support and resources.
- MOHA provides emotional support, resources, and advocacy to families experiencing the devastating loss of a child during pregnancy.
- The organization offers specialized programs such as The MOHA Angel Experience, which allows families to spend more time with their baby before saying goodbye.
- MOHA also offers grief counseling facilitated by trained volunteers who have personally experienced pregnancy loss, providing emotional guidance and support.
A community of comfort and healing
Losing a child during pregnancy is an unimaginable heartbreak. In the midst of grief, many mothers find themselves without the guidance or support they desperately need. MOHA seeks to fill this gap by offering a network of understanding, where women can connect with others who have endured similar pain.
One of MOHA’s most impactful programs is The MOHA Angel Experience, which provides hospitals with CuddleCots—devices that allow families to spend more time with their baby before saying goodbye. This initiative gives grieving parents a chance to create precious memories that can aid in the healing process. Additionally, the organization encourages memory-making activities such as taking photographs and creating handprints or footprints, ensuring that families have tangible keepsakes of their babies.
MOHA also offers grief counseling, facilitated by trained volunteers who have personally experienced pregnancy loss. These peer supporters provide emotional guidance, helping mothers navigate their journey with compassion and understanding.
A personal testament of strength and resilience
Lillian Belle’s story is a heartbreaking journey of grief and healing. At 37 weeks pregnant, Lillian’s baby girl, Lillian Belle, was stillborn, leaving her and her husband, Jeffrey, devastated. Despite the overwhelming pain of losing their daughter, Lillian found solace in the precious moments she had with her after birth, cherishing the time they spent together. Lillian reflects on her daughter’s perfection and believes Lillian Belle is now their family’s guardian angel.
Through her experience, she discovered the healing power of love, support, and community, which was made possible through organizations like Mothers of Held Angels (MOHA), who provide comfort and connection for grieving mothers. Her story has since inspired her to share her experience and help others facing similar heartbreaking losses.
Building a stronger support system
MOHA believes that hospital staff should be equipped with the knowledge and resources necessary to support grieving mothers. To achieve this, they collaborate with Houston-area hospitals to train volunteers who provide bedside comfort to families facing loss. By advocating for standardized bereavement care, MOHA is working to reshape how medical professionals approach pregnancy loss, emphasizing the importance of emotional care alongside medical treatment.
Beyond hospital settings, MOHA fosters connection through monthly gatherings called “Coffee and Conversations,” where mothers can openly share their experiences in a safe and supportive environment. For those seeking solace beyond Houston, MOHA extends its reach through a podcast of the same name, available on Spotify, offering heartfelt conversations on grief, healing, and hope.
What’s waiting for MOHA
MOHA’s work is made possible through the generosity of its community. Fundraisers, including an annual gala held at The Westin Memorial City Hotel, provide essential resources to sustain their mission. Every donation and event attendance contributes to expanding their services, reaching more families in need.
Co-founder Hollyn Keith expresses her hope that those in need know they have support from their community.
We want to provide support outside of the Houston area.
Hollyn Keith, co-founder
Looking ahead, MOHA is committed to growing its presence in hospitals beyond Houston, ensuring that grieving mothers across the country receive the support they deserve. As they continue to advocate for bereavement care, the founders remain steadfast in their mission: to bring light, love, and understanding to those experiencing the profound pain of pregnancy loss.
For mothers navigating the heartbreaking journey of loss, MOHA is a beacon of comfort, proving that even in grief, no one has to be alone.
