Mom2Mom improves the lives of children in poverty by supporting their moms. To do this, we provide the following programs:
Relationship Volunteer
We believe that the best way to support a mom facing the dual challenges of poverty and solo-parenting is to connect her to another caring and compassionate mom in her community. Relationship volunteers are women from different backgrounds, often who have raised families themselves and want to use their knowledge to support other moms. They are stable, non-judgmental allies who offer active listening, and emotional and practical support.
“I’m proud that I’ve found another two moms that are absolutely wonderful people to talk to. If I’m having a good day or bad, they’re welcoming and kind. You don’t find that too often where people are just willing to help and be good to you, not have judgement, and no criticism toward you — where they just help you out when you need it. That could just be listening, being someone who’s there. Because they’re not always someone who’s there.”
Grocery Support
Access to ample, nutritious food is crucial for children’s healthy development. In addition, when children are healthy and well cared for, mom’s stress significantly decreases, and her confidence grows. To improve food security, Mom2Mom provides a monthly grocery gift card to each participant mom. Participants receive between $200-300/month depending on the number of children they have in their care.
“The gift cards really help, I don’t have to stress about not having the extra little bits for fruits and veggies. I don’t shop monthly, I shop every couple days. The gift card balance goes down in increments, the cards are more helpful because it’s better than having money in your pocket which just goes down too fast. It helps me budget.”
Compassion Fund
The Compassion Fund provides financial support directly to moms to relieve short-term stress, invest in long-term wellbeing, and remove barriers. This support includes extra grocery support, professional development related fees, educational and vocational costs, appliance repair, medical expenses not covered by MSP, activities for moms and children and more.
“The compassion fund was named to reflect the importance of having compassion for each other and finding ways to alleviate stress for participant moms in our program. Compassion is vital because it promotes meaningful connections, facilitates problem-solving, and it can improve mental health and wellbeing. This support can come in the form of an extra grocery card to help get the family through the month or replace a fridge that suddenly broke. Participant moms have shared that they feel comforted knowing that they can access this fund if they need to.”
Happy Healthy Children
At Mom2Mom, we strongly believe that every child should have access to extracurricular activities, regardless of their family’s financial situation. By providing financial support for children’s extracurricular activities, we ease the pressure on moms and increase mental, physical, and overall well-being of children.
“My son really loves the Jiu-Jitsu program, which I couldn’t afford before. I can’t explain it; I cannot stop his after-school activities. Since July, he has been on and on and loving it. His focus is really good, and his discipline.”
Circle of Moms
Mom2Mom hosts regular community events that provide the opportunity for moms, children, and volunteers to get together, relax, and learn or experience something new. They are a great, low-barrier way to give the families we serve a warm, welcoming place to come and be nourished, both physically and socially.
“‘Connecting with others is rewarding, it makes us feel like we are not alone in this world.’ Through our Circle of Moms events, we see smiles and friendships develop and hear laughter and warm conversations. Connecting through these events helps to increase a sense of belonging and purpose while reducing stress for those present.”
Examples of Circle of Moms events:
Annual summer picnic
Movie nights at the M2M office
Trips to the Sea to Sky Gondola with Human Nature Counselling
Summer day camp trips
Cooking workshops
Community meals
Annual Mother’s Day celebration
And many more!
Community Resources
When participant moms or their children require support that is beyond our mission and mandate, we connect them to community members that offer the support they need. Examples include: counselling, clothing, furniture and household items, advocacy, legal support, and career development.
Learn how you can help more moms and their children thrive!
