Healthy Horizons has a long-standing relationship with the Mothers' Milk Bank California (formerly San Jose Milk Bank), dating back to 1990. Our founder, Sheila Janakos, MPH, IBCLC, LE, RLC was a dedicated milk donor, and Healthy Horizons served as a milk depot for over a decade, deeply committed to supporting families in need. This early experience ignited a passion and partnership dedicated to our community partners at the Mothers' Milk Bank.

Over the years, we've collaborated with the California Milk Bank on various initiatives, including the Medical Personal Pump Program, to ensure that vulnerable infants have access to life-saving human milk. We're proud to continue our 35+ year partnership by hosting milk drives at our Breastfeeding Center in Burlingame, California and by welcoming the Milk Bank’s current Chief Executive Officer, Jennifer Benito-Kowalski. Learn about Jennifer’s inspirational story below and her commitment to human milk banking within our community.

As I reflect on my time with Mothers’ Milk Bank California, I’m struck by how deeply this journey has impacted my life, not only in how I approach my work but also in how I view the world. A year ago, I joined this organization with a clear mission: to support the tiniest and most vulnerable lives by ensuring they have access to the best possible start. However, what I’ve learned and experienced has turned out to be far more profound than I could have imagined.

My connection to this mission is deeply personal. Having faced challenges in carrying a baby to term, I experienced firsthand the emotional journey of becoming a parent through surrogacy. My son, Kyle, was born through a surrogate, and this experience has given me a unique perspective on the fragility of life and the incredible strength of mothers. I know the hope and anxiety that accompany the journey of parenthood, especially when it comes to feeding him. Since I was unable to give birth, I was determined to provide him with my breast milk. I took medication to induce lactation and used medical-grade pumps to produce milk, storing enough for a few months. However, the stress of traveling to pick him up from India took its toll, and my supply dwindled just as his voracious appetite increased. In desperation, I turned to the internet, searching for breast milk since the local milk bank was only providing milk to NICUs at the time. I found myself purchasing milk from a total stranger, and when I gave it to my son, he rejected it. In that moment, panic washed over me. What had I just done? I couldn't carry him to term, and now I was giving him unverified milk. What kind of mother was I?

Through my work with Mothers’ Milk Bank California, I have come to see milk banking as a profound act of love and community. Every donor’s choice to share her milk is a testament to the compassion that exists within our community. And every day, I feel honored to play a role in a process that is rooted in such generosity. It is a reminder that while I couldn’t carry my own child, I can still contribute to the well-being of other babies and families.

The work has also taught me resilience, both as a leader and as a person. Working with a dedicated team to overcome challenges — from maintaining donor supplies to adapting to the changing landscape of healthcare — has shown me the power of tenacity and optimism. At times, it has been difficult to balance the daily demands of managing an organization with the deeply emotional side of what we do. But knowing that our efforts are giving babies a chance at a healthier life, easing parents’ anxieties, and filling NICUs with the support they need keeps me grounded.

One moment that stands out was meeting a mother who shared her story of needing donor milk for her premature baby. As she spoke, I could see the fear and hope in her eyes — a feeling I think every parent understands, no matter their experience. In that moment, I was reminded of my own journey to parenthood and the lengths we go to for our children. It was a powerful realization that I was not only an advocate for donor milk but also a part of a larger narrative of love and sacrifice.

This journey has become more than a job; it’s a calling. Working with Mothers’ Milk Bank California has been a gift, allowing me to make a real difference in the lives of others while learning more about myself. It has made me grateful for my own family, more aware of the power of community, and profoundly humbled by the selflessness of the mothers who share their milk to help others. I am proud to be part of this remarkable mission, and I look forward to all that we will accomplish together in the years to come.

Please consider supporting the Milk Bank’s vital work by donating breast milk or with a monetary donation.