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As economic pressures increase and federal assistance programs decrease across the region, Viola’s House is launching a new mobile care unit designed to deliver diapers, counseling and essential support directly to mothers throughout the DMV region at large.

The Dallas-based nonprofit introduced a new Baltimore maternity home during the “Love Rules Baltimore” event on Nov. 12, with plans to expand beyond Charm City.

“Our mobile unit is a social service agency on wheels,” Thana Hickman, founder of Viola’s House, told The Informer. “It can serve 100 to 150 mothers a day with diapers, clothing, baby gear and mental health resources. We can go wherever the need is — D.C., Prince George’s County, Montgomery County or Northern Virginia — and meet moms exactly where they are.”

The mobile unit operates within a 200-mile radius and is staffed by community health workers who help families navigate local programs related to housing, health care and education.

Hickman said the model is intended to close long-standing access gaps for mothers facing barriers such as transportation limitations, child care challenges or safety concerns.

Having operated in Dallas for 10 years, Viola’s House offers maternity housing, postpartum support and large-scale diaper distribution. The organization manufactures its own eco-friendly bamboo diapers, free from chemicals and parabens, distributing more than 7 million nationwide last year.

“We wanted to create a diaper for the community because our community deserves the best,” Hickman said. “If a mom can’t get to Target, we’ll bring Target to her.”

The newly opened Baltimore home will function as the regional hub for the organization’s operations. It will provide residential services for pregnant women and young mothers experiencing homelessness or financial instability. Hickman emphasized that the mission extends beyond housing, with a focus on education, therapy and faith-based support.