One Small Thing
“One Small Thing” is a community-driven initiative that encourages everyone to support a new mom through one meaningful act of care. Simple, everyday gestures, such as delivering a nutritious meal, babysitting for an hour, doing laundry or simply checking in, can make a difference in a new mom’s life by reducing postpartum isolation, providing comfort, and connecting moms to the support and medical care they may need.
Support
Californians of all ages can offer new moms comfort and connection through simple yet meaningful gestures.
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Together, we can help reduce preventable maternal deaths.
Help spread the word & encourage others
Record a short video or take a photo of your One Small Thing and share it on social media using the hashtags #OneSmallThing, #StrongStartAndBeyond and #MaternalHealth.
Coupon Book
Show your loved one the many ways you can support them during their postpartum journey with our coupon book.
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Give your loved one a coupon to redeem whenever they may need some extra help.
These coupons are designed to be redeemed directly with family and friends.
WHY IT MATTERS
More than 60% of maternal deaths happen after a mom leaves the hospital, when isolation is the highest and support is the lowest. Loneliness, occurring in 42% of new moms, is the strongest predictor of postpartum depression and crisis. Your small act of kindness could be the support she needs — and you could be the eyes and ears that help her recognize when she might need medical care.
Everyday Superheroes
One Small Thing Everyday Superheroes celebrates individuals who lead through compassion, connection, and service. It shows that improving maternal health does not always require grand gestures. Sometimes, the greatest impact begins with one person choosing to do one small thing—and inspiring an entire community to do the same.
Jennifer Siebel Newsom
First Partner of California
From the launch of One Small Thing, the First Partner was an early champion of the campaign, using her platform to help us encourage individuals, families and communities to be there for new mothers.
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We are proud to recognize the First Partner of California Jennifer Siebel Newsom as our first One Small Thing Everyday Superhero. From the launch of One Small Thing, the First Partner was an early champion of the campaign, using her platform to help us encourage individuals, families and communities to be there for new mothers during the postpartum period when support and connection can make an important difference.
As a mom of four and a longtime champion for women, children, and families, much of the First Partner’s work has focused on giving kids the best start in life while ensuring women have the support they need across their health, wealth, and well-being. Her work supporting mothers, particularly during pregnancy and postpartum, is an important piece of that larger commitment. Her leadership in these areas helped take the One Small Thing conversation into communities across California, inspiring more people to recognize that supporting a new mom can be as simple as checking in, bringing a meal, offering a helping hand, or making sure she knows she isn’t alone. By amplifying One Small Thing, the First Partner helped turn a simple message into a broader call to action—every one of us can help strengthen the village surrounding a new mother.
Jorge De La Cruz
First 5 California
Jorge De La Cruz has helped bring One Small Thing to a diverse network of parents, families and communities across California.
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Through his partnership with the Office of the California Surgeon General, Jorge De La Cruz has helped expand awareness of One Small Thing and create opportunities for more parents, families and communities across California to connect with the simple ways they can support one another, especially during the transition to parenthood.
Jorge has made One Small Thing part of First 5 California’s statewide engagement, ensuring the message reaches the people and communities who can help make it part of everyday life. At the 2026 First 5 California Summit: Their Futures First, Jorge helped ensure that every attendee received a One Small Thing Coupon Book, giving participants practical ways to support new parents and families. He helped extend the conversation beyond the conference and into the work happening in communities across the state. Jorge has further amplified the movement through First 5 California’s communications channels and outreach, helping introduce One Small Thing to an even broader and more diverse audience of parents, families and community partners.
Jorge demonstrates what it means to turn partnership into action. By integrating One Small Thing into First 5 California’s events, communications and community engagement, he has helped move the message from a campaign into the hands of people who can put it into practice. His leadership is helping build a stronger network of support for new parents, one community, one family and one small act at a time.
Victor Dominguez
YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles
Victor has helped bring One Small Thing coupon books into Y centers across LA and encouraged simple acts of kindness through the YMCA’s newsletter
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When Victor Dominguez, President & CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, learned about One Small Thing, he immediately saw how it could help families and communities in Los Angeles support new parents. He didn’t stop at just sharing the message, he began bringing One Small Thing into Y centers across Greater Los Angeles—turning an idea into community action.
Victor has helped launch a One Small Thing program across the LA Y Centers of Community Well-Being, creating new opportunities for families and the people around them to learn how small acts of kindness and connection can make a meaningful difference. One Small Thing Coupon Books have also been made available at LA Y Centers, giving families practical ideas for showing up for one another. Through the YMCA’s newsletter, which reaches thousands of individuals, Victor has continued to promote the importance of connection, kindness and supporting one another helping bring the message of One Small Thing to an even broader audience.
Victor recognized that One Small Thing could be more than a message. It could become community practice. By bringing the movement into the LA Y communities, making resources available to families, and using the Y’s communications to encourage simple acts of kindness, Victor is helping create more connected communities where new families know they don’t have to navigate parenthood alone. His leadership shows what can happen when a community leader sees an opportunity to make a difference and chooses to do something about it.
Thank you, Victor, for helping turn One Small Thing into action and for inspiring thousands of people across Los Angeles and beyond to show up for one another.
Every act of kindness has the power to strengthen families, build healthier communities, and improve the lives of mothers across California.
How to Participate
Do one small thing for a new mom in your life, share about it on social media, and encourage others to do the same.
