A BIG Thank You

As an organization that depends on the generosity of others to exist, we are contstantly humbled when people want to help our clients.  We are even more impressed when a person or organization goes above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of the families that we serve.  After Hours by Cutting Loose, an amazing local salon, partnered with Mothers Helping Mothers to produce some amazing results!  Not only did they makeover seven of our mothers with haircuts, color treatments, facial waxings and makeup applications, but they also gave us a TON of donations. 

Let's talk about the women first.  They certainly got the royal treatment!  Yvette, one of the MHM clients, summed up the impact of the day by saying," This experience has made me feel so good.  It has been a very relaxing day that is much needed.  I spend so much time taking care of others that I rarely do anything for myself," she said.  “The staff has been so kind to us.  You can tell that they are all really nice and caring people that are taking the time to listen to our desires and trying to please us.  It has been a great day!  I can’t remember the last time that I have been to a salon.”

Taelor was the mastermind behind this great event.  When asked why she came in on her day off to oversee this event she said,” I really love doing work that will benefit our community.  I was born and raised here and my heart is here.  It is such an honor to be able to give back to others in this community and make a difference.”

Not only did Taelor and her staff make a difference to the women that day, but also to the families that will benefit from the donations of her clients.  Taelor sent out emails to her clients letting them know that they could help Mothers Helping Mothers by bringing in their donations.  Clients definitely came through and helped to fill 2 SUV’s with clothes, shoes, bedding and toys.  In addition, clients also brought in hair care products that were donated to MHM. 

When Jennifer Meadows heard what the salon was doing, she donated her services and products as a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant and offered to do all of the makeup for the seven lucky ladies.  “So many women don’t take the time for themselves,” said Jennifer.  “Making women feel special really goes a long way.”

A special thanks to Bellacino’s for providing free pizza for all of the women for lunch.

Look at all of the donated items!

You Never Know

As a young mother,  I am humbled by the stories that I write on this blog and even more in awe of the ambitious spirits that I meet when I enter the doors of MHM.  I am also in amazement of the assistance that Mothers Helping Mothers gives to so many families in need.

Recently I received an email from a friend who was unaware of my association with MHM.  It was a heartwrenching email about a friend of hers that was in need of help.  Her friend and her husband just gave birth to a baby boy and also have a three year old little girl.  Shortly after their son's birth, he was diagnosed with a heart condition and transported to All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg.  The family lives in North Port and they are traveling home every night to take care of their little girl after visiting their son during the day. Financially they are struggling and have called numerous agencies for help - all to no avail.  When I told Motherss Helping Mothers about their situation the next question without any hesitation was "What can we do to help?" 

Boy, they sure did help this family!  MHM helped them find the financial resources to make this tough time a bit easier.  The family was so incredibly thankful for the help and so was my friend who sent me the original email.  It is so nice to know that there is an organization that is readily available to help families in difficult situations! 

As a side note- I am not told what to write or what stories to share on this blog.  I am simply given information to use at my discretion.  They did not ask me to share this story, but it really touched me.  As a young mother, I sympathized with the family in need and know that their situation could happen to me if something serious happened to my child.  So there are only two words that come to mind-THANK YOU!

Men are Welcome Too!

This is Joseph. 

He was at Mothers Helping Mothers for the first time and on the hunt for books for his two year old daughter.  "I am here to help my sister find everything that she needs.  She is finding lots of stuff and I am too!  My daughter is really into books right now and I found some really good ones.  I know she'll love them!"

Getting Back on Track

I recently met Brittney, Tara and Michelle at Mothers Helping Mothers.  They may look like your ordinary young mothers, but they all share a common bond not apparent to most people.


Brittney and Michelle



Tara and Paityn

These young ladies all are a part of the Mothers and Infants program at First Step of Sarasota.  The goal of this program, according to the young ladies, is to create clean, sober, healthy moms and babies.  The program is an alternative to prison where the mothers are allowed to live with their babies while receiving rehabilitation.  According to the First Step website, "Mothers & Infants is a safe supportive program that combines group and individual counseling with parenting, nutrition and life management skills classes.  The program emphasizes the health of the mother and her infant and provides the women with the necessary skills for on-going recovery, self-sufficiency and family reunification.  Clients may stay in treatment for one year.  Infants remain with the mother in treatment after birth."

All three of these young women were in trouble and the court ordered them to go to First Step instead of going to prison for their offences.  "It is such a wonderful alternative to prison.  You get to be with your baby," said Brittney.  " If I had to go to prison, my baby would have to go to the Department of Children and Families and end up in foster care.  I just couldn't bare that." 

"The program includes group and individual therapy which really helps," said Michelle.  "They really teach you how to enter back into mainstream society in a healthy manner.  It really is a golden opportunity for me to get my life back on track."

The girls informed me that it was the Mother and Infant program administrators that told them about Mothers Helping Mothers.  They don't get much free time outside of the program, but this visit was "well worth it"  The ladies told me that they had found everything that they were looking for and then some!  They were waiting for their ride from the Mothers and Infants program to pick them up and take them back to the center.

These young women are just another example of the help that Mothers Helping Mothers gives to everyone- regardless of circumstances. 

The goods- It might not look like much, but pictures are deceiving.  Believe me, these girls racked up!

Children Everywhere!

It is not uncommon to enter the doors of the Mothers Helping Mothers and be bombarded with the sights and sounds that only babies and children could make.  Afterall, it is an organization that helps families and all are welcome to enter the doors.  It is a regular site to see the founders of the organization and other volunteers holding babies while mothers shop for everything from cribs and clothes to housewares and toys.  So today I thought that it is only fitting for you to see some of our youngest customers.  They are too cute and make our job worth it! 

Unlikely Volunteer

This is Sarah!  She may not look like the traditional volunteer, but that is exactly what she is doing at Mothers Helping Mothers.  "I needed volunteer hours for school and my mom volunteers here.  She suggested that I do my hours here and I am very happy with the decision," said Sarah. 

"Volunteering here makes me feel good," said Sarah.  "I see people that really need assistance and I am glad that the organization is here for them." 

When asked about a time or person that really made an impact on her, Sarah recalled a woman that recently came to Mothers Helping Mothers.  "This woman came in to the storefront when we were about to close.  When I asked her for her address, she looked at me blankly and said I do not have one.  She was living at the Salvation Army shelter and had no home of her own for her and her daughter.  The volunteers quickly asked her what she was looking and started gathering things for her," said Sarah.  "By the time the woman was ready to go, volunteers had helped her gather everything that she needed.  It mad me feel so good to help her and to see other volunteers work together to help one woman.  I know we made a difference to that woman," said Sarah.  "That's what it is all about."

A Place to Turn

We had a mom come in the other day who has a 4 year old son.  She is in her forties and she was due to have another baby in April. Her husband, who had been traveling on and off over the years, came home and left her for another woman in July. She was laid off from her day job, and was unable to continue with her second job.  She needed to be home in the evenings with her daughter since she is now a single parent. The house is being foreclosed on, and all of the baby items she had stored in a shed became rat infested. She came to us, alone and in tears, not knowing where to turn. We were able to give her items for the baby, including a diapers, clothing, a new car seat and a bassinet. She couldn't believe there were people whom she had never met who wanted to help her. And we simply said "That's why we are here!"