Empowering Mothers Through Access to Breastfeeding Education and Resources

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Amelia Tan. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light. 

Amelia Tan, a 17-year-old high schooler at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, is making a huge impact on the lives of many mothers through her nonprofit. Amelia’s journey began over two summers at Rush University Medical Center, where she participated in research on the socioeconomic barriers to infant breastfeeding. Deeply moved by the challenges faced by new and expectant mothers in economically depressed neighborhoods, Amelia was inspired to make a difference. 

Motivated by her research findings, Amelia founded “Mommy’s Gift to Me,” a nonprofit organization with a mission to create a society where all women feel inspired, empowered and enabled to breastfeed their infants. The organization provides free breastfeeding starter kits and education on the benefits of breastfeeding to under-resourced new and expectant mothers. Amelia’s vision is clear: to remove the barriers that prevent mothers from breastfeeding and to support them in giving their infants the best start in life. 

Since its inception, “Mommy’s Gift to Me” has made a significant impact in Chicago. Amelia and her team have distributed hundreds of free breastfeeding starter kits across 36 of the city’s most economically depressed neighborhoods. Each kit includes essential items and educational materials designed to support new mothers in their breastfeeding journey. By addressing both the practical and educational needs of these mothers, Amelia’s organization helps ensure that more infants can benefit from breastfeeding. 

Amelia’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. She has successfully partnered with numerous community organizations, such as Everthrive Illinois, to expand the reach and impact of her nonprofit. Additionally, she has secured corporate sponsorships from companies like Motif Medical, which provide crucial support for the distribution of the breastfeeding starter kits.  

Read on to hear more of Amelia’s story of empowerment and support for mothers in her area.  

Tell us about your volunteer role. 

I’m the founder and executive director of Mommy’s Gift to Me, a nonprofit with a mission to promote the health and wellbeing of both mother and child by providing education and access to resources about breastfeeding. I help run the organization. Our website has a lot of educational resources, and then we also go to various events such as community resource fairs, baby showers and community health fairs, spreading awareness and education and also giving out breastfeeding starter kits.

Why is this issue so important to you? 

Breastfeeding is something most mothers go through, and while a lot of people are fortunate to have access to the resources they need, there are a lot of mothers who face a lot of barriers to those resources, including economic barriers. It could be their time that’s blocking their access to these resources too – having to work other jobs or take care of other kids. I think it’s very important that all mothers have the same experience providing the best they can for their babies.

What inspired you to get started with this initiative? 

For the past few summers, I’ve been working at Rush on a research project called Ready Mom, which is an intervention trial, testing the positive outcomes of removing economic barriers to breastmilk provision in the NICU – whether it’s providing a hospital-grade pumping machine, a milk courier service or compensating the mothers for their time. I got to speak to a lot of these mothers and saw the positive impacts of that study, which included being able to breastfeed when their baby was in the NICU. I wanted to take that out of the hospital setting and into the larger community. 

What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization? 

Currently we’re implementing an ambassador program. A lot of the mothers we’ve been able to help want to get involved and help support other mothers like them. They’ll be able to come to events, speak to other moms with similar experiences and bond through that program. 

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work? 

Everybody is trying to do their best with whatever they have. Everyone, especially these moms, only want the best for their children. Being able to help them fulfill that goal is really rewarding. 

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer? 

While I haven’t necessarily gone through the same experiences as these mothers, I always find something in common with them and connect with them on a deeper level when I speak to them at these events. I don’t have to have the same background as them to connect with them on a personal level. I’m fortunate to have had access to any resource helpful to me, and being able to help others with access to the resources they need is very valuable to me. 

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about? 

People may think, what could one person do? But one person doesn’t have to make the biggest difference in the world. When many people make small changes, it really adds up to something much larger. When you make an impact on someone, they’re inspired to make an impact, and it creates a ripple effect. And that’s exactly what we’re seeing through our ambassador program – moms who have been impact wanting to share that impact with other moms as well. 

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering? 

Anyone who is thinking about volunteering should do it. If it’s something they’re passionate about, they’re bound to find others who are just as passionate. There are so many people in the world who are passionate about the same things as you – and so manty communities willing to support you and help you on your journey as well.  

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Amelia? Find local volunteer opportunities.