For Kirsten, meaningful support for mothers at CGLH begins with creating space to slow down, breathe, and rest in the cradle of a caring system. As the Maternal Wellness Navigator at Cay Galgon Life House, she walks alongside mothers during some of the most vulnerable seasons of their lives, offering steady guidance, advocacy, and care rooted in trust.
Holding bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public health, Kirsten serves as a confidante, educator, and guide. She helps mothers access benefits, secure housing, set goals, and plan next steps, always understanding that progress looks different for every family. Equally important is helping them slow down. What moves Kirsten most is witnessing the moment when a mother realizes she is not alone. “The pressure lifts, shoulders drop, and a mom understands she doesn’t have to be brave or powerful. She can be vulnerable,” Kirsten observed.
Kirsten’s connection to Life House’s mission is deeply personal, shaped by being raised by a single mother who struggled throughout most of Kirsten’s childhood, and later by her own journey as a single mother. “While that season was challenging, I also learned the power of embracing the village that can exist after divorce,” she shared. She worked intentionally at co-parenting and can speak firsthand to the rewards that come from time, effort, and mutual respect.
Now the mother of two teenagers, Kirsten continues to draw from lived experience as she supports other families. “Raising my children, now 18 and 17, shaped how I understand responsibility, resilience, and the importance of community.”
Kirsten’s relationship with CGLH spans more than six years, beginning with internships during her undergraduate and graduate studies and continuing into her current role. She immediately recognized Life House as an organization built with intention. “What drew me in was the organization’s willingness to listen, adjust, and meet mothers where they are, rather than asking them to fit into a mold,” she recalled.
January 2026 marked four years as an employee, during which Kirsten has witnessed firsthand how CGLH has adapted in response to the needs of the families it serves. “When I started, the program supported mothers through one year postpartum,” Kirsten shared. The program now extends support through two years postpartum, with additional care offered through Beyond These Walls. For Kirsten, watching the program evolve affirms her commitment to CGLH’s work because it reflects what she personally knows to be true about motherhood. “Motherhood doesn’t end. It evolves,” she reflected.
Looking ahead, Kirsten plans to pursue her doctorate with the goal of teaching the next generation about public health. “Teaching is something I am deeply drawn to,” she explained. “I want younger generations to understand how powerful public health is, now more than ever.” She hopes to help students learn kindness, humility, gratitude, and the crucial difference between equity and equality.
Outside of work, Kirsten finds joy in sports by cheering for the Saints and the Mets and following her children’s athletic pursuits. She also loves concerts and festivals, always making time for music, connection, and long conversations. “Those are the spaces where I feel freest and most myself,” she added.
When asked to describe CGLH in just a few words, Kirsten doesn’t hesitate: “Grounded. Intentional. A place where it’s safe to breathe, be vulnerable, and begin again.”
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