At Wider Circle, we believe connection can change everything. A caring community can be the difference between facing fear alone—and finding the strength to move forward. Stories like Nia’s show just how powerful that support can be.
In this edition of Stories from the Circle, meet Nia—a first-time mother who joined our Expecting Together Maternity Program carrying both a new pregnancy and the grief of a recent loss. With her new Wider Circle community of women and facilitator by her side, Nia found hope, healing, and the confidence to embrace motherhood.
We hope her story reminds you what’s possible when we lift each other up, together.
Nia R.
Finding Strength in Sisterhood: Nia’s Journey to Motherhood
After experiencing loss and facing a pregnancy filled with fear, Nia found hope, healing, and community.
When Nia Roy joined her first Expecting Together Maternity Program event in early May 2025, she was carrying more than a new pregnancy—she was carrying the grief of a recent miscarriage and a deep fear of the unknown. This was the furthest she had ever progressed in a pregnancy. “I was so scared about the future,” she shared.
But from that very first meeting, something shifted. Arete Patrick, her Wider Circle facilitator, and the other expectant mothers created a space where Nia felt seen, supported, and safe. Through shared stories and compassionate conversation, the women encouraged her to prioritize her own well-being—to eat well, stay hydrated, rest, and release her stress. Arete also connected her with therapeutic resources through CareFirst, giving Nia the tools to navigate the emotional weight of her journey. By the end of that first session, Nia was moved to tears—not from fear, but from relief and joy. “I can’t wait to attend the next event,” she said.
And she didn’t just attend—she showed up fully. She drove an hour to participate in the next in-person event. On difficult days when depression crept in, she noted that attending the sessions felt like therapy. “Being in the group made me feel better,” she shared. “I feel better.”
And when the day arrived, Nia called into a Wider Circle meeting while in active labor—she wanted to share the moment with the women who had carried her through it. Shortly after, she gave birth to a healthy baby girl and sent Arete pictures from the delivery room, beaming with pride.
Today, Nia’s daughter is five months old and thriving. Like many new mothers, Nia has faced challenges, including postpartum depression and sleep deprivation. When those feelings surfaced, she remembered a vital lesson Arete taught the class: “Postpartum depression can happen to anyone. Don’t feel bad. It’s only bad if you don’t get help.”
Those words stayed with her. Nia reached out to a therapist on her own, putting her learning into practice. Arete also reminded her of the group’s sessions on building bedtime routines, helping Nia take small, manageable steps toward balance. “She’s on a good path,” Arete shared. “And she’s happy to have our support.”
Nia’s journey is a testament to what happens when women lift each other up—not just through pregnancy, but through the quiet, difficult moments that follow. From grief to hope, and from fear to confidence, Nia found her strength in a circle of care that never let her walk alone.
Thank you, Nia, for trusting us with your story—and congratulations on your beautiful new chapter. We also thank our sponsors for making stories like Nia’s possible every day.
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About the author: Jamie Zale
Wider Circle
