Vahna Paige with two of her children, during a photo shoot earlier this year. (Courtesy Photo: Doug Coombe, Concentrate Media)
For Vahna Paige, Ypsilanti isn’t just where she lives, it’s where her story began.
Her parents bought a home in Ypsilanti’s historic district when she was growing up, and it’s still the community she calls home today. Now, she’s raising her own family in the same community that shaped her.
“Everything about Ypsi is just home for me,” Paige said. “I love being able to raise my kids here.”
Today, that home includes her three young children, including her newest baby, Islah, whose arrival also marked the beginning of her family’s journey with Rx Kids.
As a hairstylist specializing in natural hair, Paige has spent the last nine years building her business in Ypsilanti. Owning her own business gives her the flexibility to set her schedule, which has become even more important as her family has grown.
But like so many parents, flexibility doesn’t erase financial pressure.
“I wanted to take a step back from work after having my baby,” she said. “I hadn’t really been able to even think about that because of the financial strain. For this program to come around at this time is such a blessing.”
For Paige, Rx Kids offered something every new parent deserves but too few can afford: time.
Instead of feeling pressured to rush back to work, the direct financial support gave her the freedom to focus on healing after childbirth, bonding with Islah, and being present for all three of her children.
“To be able to say, ‘Now I can take an extra week or two—or even a whole month—off work just to be able to be a mom, or even just heal from postpartum,’ that’s an immense difference,” Paige said. “It’s that extra cushion that helps with diapers, wipes, food, just all those things that make life a little easier.”
For Paige, motherhood is built on simple moments.
“My favorite thing about being a mom is being able to share everything with them,” she said. “Coming home and seeing smiles on their faces, that’s the best thing.”
She loves taking her children on adventures, whether it’s hiking, spending the day at the beach, or simply heading outside for a walk through the neighborhood.
“My kids are happiest when they’re outside,” she said. “Playing with chalk, going for walks, they’ll choose that over anything.”
Those everyday moments are exactly what Rx Kids is designed to protect.
Since launching in Ypsilanti, the program has already made a meaningful investment in local families, with more than 100 families enrolled so far, receiving more than $350,000 in direct support. Every dollar invested in families like Paige’s not only helps parents meet immediate needs but also strengthens local businesses and communities. The local economic impact of the program, based on modeling by the Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, is nearly $700,000.
“Families know what their babies need,” said Dr. Mona Hanna, founder and director of Rx Kids and associate dean of public health at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. “When we trust parents with unconditional support, we’re giving them more than financial assistance. We’re giving them the opportunity to spend those precious early days focused on healing, bonding, and building a strong foundation for their children. Stories like Vahna’s remind us that investing in babies is one of the smartest investments a community can make.”
As Rx Kids continues to grow in Ypsilanti, Paige hopes to see more families experience the same relief she did.
“I’m excited to see who all is a part of the program and how it helps everybody around this community,” she said.
