From One Mama to Another: A Maternity Drive That Gives Back

No mom should have to choose between comfort and making ends meet.

At Ultra Connected Wellness, we’re doing something about it. We’re creating Union County’s first maternity gemach - a free clothing exchange and community support system for expecting mothers who deserve to feel supported, confident, and cared for.

If you’ve never heard the word gemach before, it comes from the Hebrew phrase gemilut chasadim, which means “acts of kindness.” In simple terms, it’s a space where people lend and borrow freely. No pressure. No judgment. Just care and community.

Our goal is simple:

• Free maternity clothing exchange and support for expecting mothers

  
  

• Empowering women through comfort, connection, and care

  
  

• Helping moms-to-be feel seen, supported, and strong

  
  

What a Gemach Means to Me

When I was pregnant in 2008, I lived in Washington Heights, NYC. It was a somewhat ultra-Orthodox community where money was tight but kindness was everywhere. There was a local gemach — just a rack of gently used maternity clothes organized by size. I could borrow what I needed and return it when I was done. Sometimes I’d add something of my own for the next mom.

It wasn’t fancy. Some clothes fit perfectly, some didn’t. But every item I borrowed saved me a little energy and a little money, both of which were in short supply. That small act of kindness helped me feel less alone during a vulnerable time.

That experience stuck with me. It reminded me that real support doesn’t have to be complicated.

Why Now

As a massage therapist, I work with many expecting mothers who are doing their best with limited resources. Some come in wearing oversized men’s shirts, stretched-out leggings, or jeans they can’t button anymore. One client even came in wearing her husband’s clothes. And honestly, I understood. Buying new clothes for a body that changes every few weeks just doesn’t feel practical.

But comfort shouldn’t be a luxury.

Pregnancy is already a full-time job. The least we can do is make sure moms feel good in their own skin. That’s why I started From One Mama to Another — a maternity drive that gives back to the women who give us so much.

Ultra Connected Wellness is becoming a home for shared kindness, where mothers can borrow, donate, and connect in ways that remind them they’re not alone.

How You Can Help

Every small action makes a difference.

You can:

• Donate gently used maternity clothes

  
  

• Share this project with someone who might want to help

  
  

• Reflect on your own experience:

  
  

  • What’s one thing you wish someone had told you during pregnancy?

    
    

  • If you could gift one thing to a new mom, what would it be?

    
    

  • What brought you comfort when you needed it most?

    
    

Your kindness helps expecting mothers feel supported and seen. Together, we can build a circle of care that keeps growing with every contribution.

Donate or Get Involved

We’re now accepting donations at:

Ultra Connected Wellness

261 Springfield Ave, Suite 102

Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

Text or call (973) 433-5677 to schedule a drop-off.

Visit ultraconnectedwellness.com for updates.

Every donor will receive a personal thank you. Once our collection is full, we’ll announce when it’s ready for expecting moms in the community to borrow and exchange.

From one mama to another, thank you for helping make this possible.