In 2023, Surgeon Health General Dr. Vivek Murthy said that the United States had a loneliness epidemic and that, if we didn’t address it, the consequences would be dire: ”Lacking connection can increase the risk for premature death to levels comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.”

“People raised on love see things differently than those raised on survival.” – Joy Marino

We know that wounded people wound other people.

We also know that healthy people help others heal.

Wounding and healing both happen in relationships, and one of the most impactful relationships in a person’s life is her relationship with her primary caregiver.

NAOMI’S mission to provide a haven of support for women and children means being a safe, healing space for children, as well as single women and mothers.

Let’s look at three ways NAOMI cares for children:

I look at the woman across from me and so much of my story is in her face. I see the familiar lines of grief and despair. The desperation for change but fear of being alone in the unknown.  “When does it become worth it?” she asks.

I don’t know how to answer her question because “worth it” doesn’t mean no pain.