“It’s going to be fine, you and me.”

Laniya Barker, a member of the client team at Sister Visitor Center, didn’t always feel that way. It took the support of others, a little bit of time, and a whole lot of faith to
get there.

Growing up, her mom was a people-pleaser, so Laniya became one herself. She lost a sense of who she was and what she wanted to be.

“No one ever listened to me, heard me, believed in me,” she said. “So I stopped talking.”

After the birth of her second child, Laniya suffered from postpartum depression, a condition that can affect 1 in 8 women. She felt sad, empty and tired.

Inspired by God

Inspired by God and the love she has for her children, Laniya sought help. She found her way to Sister Visitor Center as a volunteer to learn job skills like time management, setting goals and being held accountable for her actions.

“God put me where I needed to be,” said Laniya about finding her way to Sister Visitor Center. Working with clients, many of whom are her age and have similar stories, she has learned to listen. "I want people to feel heard."

And as far as raising her two little boys, she’s going to listen to them, be a more empathetic mother. “I want my children to talk to me about everything,” she said.

If things keep going the way they’re going for Laniya and her children, she’s right, things are going to be just fine.

Thank you for supporting mothers like Laniya.