Today we’d like to introduce you to Anne Keene.
Hi Anne, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
For as long as I can remember (even before becoming a mom myself), I have had a tender place in my heart for babies/young kiddos, unborn babies, and mamas in tough situations. I have a passion for being a voice for the voiceless and an advocate for mamas and young ones in need.
Since becoming a mom in 2015, my eyes have been further opened to how incredibly challenging motherhood can be, even when one has access to all the resources and support in the world. My heart broke for mamas who struggle without these necessities. Slowly, through prayer and the encouragement of several faith-filled friends, I launched Delivering Hope: An Empowering Motherhood Ministry in December 2020.
My goal was to create a ministry that walks with women as they navigate an unexpected pregnancy and/or raise their young children. I wanted to uplift them by providing thoughtful and needs-based care packages on an ongoing basis, as well as a safe and nonjudgmental community that supports and encourages them.
Since its inception, Delivering Hope has grown exponentially as a grassroots, community-based effort to support moms in need. Its private Facebook group has over 300 members who share resources and items to help one another. My basement is filled top to bottom with bins upon bins of gathered and sorted clothing for infants, children, and expecting mothers.
My front step is a revolving door of donations. Delivering Hope is honored to partner with Kaitlyn’s Kloset and Woodbury Options for Women, two other organizations dedicated to helping women and children in need. To date, Delivering Hope has helped almost 1,000 families in the metro area. When I think back to 2020, when this was all just a prayer-driven idea, I am overwhelmed with gratitude towards God and my community.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think my greatest struggle has been trying to balance the growth of the ministry (both in donations and in-need requests) and my responsibilities as a mother. I currently stay home with our three children, ages 8,6, and 3. My youngest was only 5 months old when I launched Delivering Hope.
My husband Luke has always been an amazing supporter, offering encouragement, picking up and delivering donations when he’s able, and even just occupying the kids when I need some time to focus on ministry work. I have also been very blessed to have a few people help deliver items once in a while.
That being said, this has been to date a one-woman show – just me running this out of our home in the cracks of my day between child-rearing duties. Additionally, all items are currently stored in our basement, while we have made the most of the space we have available, I have constraints on what items I can take and store.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Before staying home with my children, I worked in the healthcare industry as a process improvement manager and in data analytics. While I am very proud of the corporate work I’ve done in the past, my greatest joy and challenge has been becoming a full-time stay-at-home mom.
I feel incredibly blessed to be able to have these fleeting years with my children, and I feel proud that they can see firsthand the good that can be done when someone steps outside of their comfort zone and the community steps up to help others.
My kids now routinely dig through their clothes and toys to see what they can give to others to bring them joy. Raising children who think beyond themselves and about the needs of other people truly is my greatest accomplishment.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I think a passion for helping others and an ongoing drive to do the best work possible have helped me continue to prioritize delivering hope when it hasn’t always been easy. My husband jokes that I never do anything half-a***d!
When I put my mind to something, I will continue to work at it determinedly.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Delivering_hope2moms
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078751219576&mibextid=9R9pXO
Image Credits
Chris Emeott
