Haven for Moms
A Sanctuary of Support for Mothers Affected by the Los Angeles Wildfires
In times of crisis, community support becomes a beacon of hope. That truth came to life beautifully at Haven for Moms, a sanctuary of support that was held at the Riverbank Wellness Studio in Los Angeles this passed January. Organized by Taylor McKay Smith and Life After Birth LA, this deeply heartfelt gathering provided healing, resources, and connection for mothers navigating the aftermath of the Los Angeles wildfires.
As a photographer devoted to documenting the raw beauty of motherhood and family, I had the privilege of capturing the depth of emotion, resilience, and love that filled the space. Every image tells a story of strength—of mothers standing together, holding each other up, and finding moments of peace amidst the chaos.
Photographed by Jess Koehler Photo
Photographed by Jess Koehler Photo
A Space for Healing & Restoration
Haven for Moms offered a safe, nurturing environment where mothers could breathe, reset, and receive essential support. Attendees had access to:
Free pregnancy, postpartum, and baby essentials to lighten the weight of rebuilding.
Complimentary wellness treatments, inviting moments of relaxation and self-care.
Emotional and physical support from therapists, midwives, and doulas, ensuring every mother felt seen and valued.
A quiet refuge—a space to rest, connect, and simply be.
For donations, volunteer & general inquiries please email Taylor & Molly at havenformoms.la@gmail.com
Photographed by Jess Koehler Photo
Photographed by Jess Koehler Photo
The Strength of Community
The heart of this event was the unwavering dedication of volunteers, therapists, and maternal health advocates who came together to uplift these mothers. Their generosity and compassion created a ripple effect, reminding us all of the profound impact of showing up for one another.
Photographed by Jess Koehler Photo
Photographed by Jess Koehler Photo
“The unity and love at Haven for Moms was truly special, and we’re committed to keeping it going. If you’re interested in attending our next event, please email havenformoms.la@gmail.com — ALL moms affected are welcome. While our donation efforts have focused on maternity, baby, and postpartum items since these can be harder to find in donation centers, we want to support mothers with children of all ages. Mama2Mama is also continuing to connect moms with maternal healthcare resources.” — Taylor McKay Smith, Mama. Model. Doula. Maternal Health Advocate.
Donate Here: Haven for Moms GoFundMe
Thank you to Baby2Baby for all of the thoughtful bags of donations.
It was inspiring to see Mama2Mama help make this happen! Jess photographed with Marisa Callahan, Co-founder and Board Chair of Mama2Mama.
Discover more about this event and the inspiring women behind it on Vogue.
Mothers are the heartbeat of a community, and together, we can continue to lift them up. To stay connected and receive updates on maternal health support, subscribe to my newsletter here.