Connected Nest's mission is to create connections for those on the journey to, through & beyond parenthood to increase solidarity and support during transitions and challenges. We work to increase solidarity and support during some of life’s most meaningful and challenging transitions.

Through our programs, we help those facing infertility find empathy and support through monthly support groups. We provide weekly gatherings for new moms navigating the constant changes of early parenthood. And through continued community building, we are expanding opportunities for parents to find connection, knowledge, and encouragement at every stage of the journey.

Connected Nest was launched as an independent nonprofit in December 2023 by Empowering Moms Program Manager Megan Shane, Facing Fertility Program Manager Alicia Leggett, and a dedicated board of directors. The goal was simple but powerful: continue the growing work already happening in the community and expand support for families who need connection.

The need is significant. Infertility affects one in six couples trying to conceive. Maternal mental health challenges affect one in five moms. And maternal transitions and emotional shifts throughout the start of parenthood are guaranteed. Many parents face these seasons feeling isolated or unsure where to turn. And in 2024 the Surgeon General noted that stress for parents was at an all time high and crisis need for support.

Connected Nest exists so fewer families have to navigate these moments alone. Our programs help decrease isolation, reduce overwhelm, and create lasting community for parents and caregivers.

When you give today, you help neighbors find support, strengthen their mental health, and build meaningful connections with others walking similar paths.

You are helping create the village so many parents are searching for.

If you believe in this work, we invite you to become a Nest Builder by making a monthly gift. Monthly supporters provide steady support that helps us sustain weekly groups, expand programs, and reach more families throughout the year. Even a small monthly contribution makes a meaningful difference in helping this community continue to grow.

Together, we are building something lasting.

Thank you for helping us build the nest.

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Past Program Participants Share a little of what they have gained:

"During the new moms group I gained the most valuable information on transitioning into parenthood. I also received encouragement during a difficult time in my marriage not to mention an amazing group of wonderful friends!"

"I started coming to the group one year into my infertility journey. I was struggling with deep sadness and seeking a place where I would feel seen and able to relate to other women going through the same thing. It has been immensely helpful to be able to share my story in a group and receive encouragement from the other women there. It has also been equally therapeutic to hear the stories of other women, provide support to them, and be inspired by their strength and wisdom. Infertility can be so isolating. I am so thankful to have this group to help me feel less alone in this journey."

"Empowering Moms supported and guided me through the toughest period of my life. I struggled with PPA during the 4th trimester, and the group was a huge help in my recovery. I am so thankful I found this group, and I truly appreciate the other moms I’ve met and shared support."

"I was struggling as a new and first time mom with things not going “as planned” or worrying I wasn’t doing things “right”. Empowering moms gave me an outlet to talk about those feelings and helped me realize that I was doing a better job than I thought. It’s a welcoming and comfortable space to share what’s weighing on my mind and get real support from other moms. It also helped me feel less isolated as a new mom and was amazing for my mental health."

“I continue to be so thankful to this program for hosting a Secondary Infertility Support Group. When my husband and I began getting many consecutive negative pregnancy tests, I felt so alone. Our friends who we've connected with through the birth of our daughter have now had one or even two more children. I have struggled to find where I belong as a mother of one child who feels our family is not yet complete. I have found secondary infertility to be difficult because I don't feel I fit with mothers who have been successful in getting pregnant with another child or two, and I don't fit with those experiencing primary infertility because we have one healthy living daughter. So where could I share my feelings? Who will understand? I started googling groups of people to connect with so I could feel less alone. I am grateful to have found this group and have made it a priority to join any session possible. It has been a blessing for me to be able to share my feelings, grief, and fears with other women who nod along and seem to truly understand what this is like. I have also found that many of the women in attendance are a wealth of information and experience. I am grateful for their encouragement and advice. Thank you for putting this group together and spending the time to listen to our stories and walk with us.”

Connected Nest Support

Supporting our community together.