Volunteers Needed to Mentor Mothers and their Families

Women are needed to volunteer with the Mentoring Moms program of the Volunteer Center of Bergen County.  These volunteers are trained to work with mothers who are overwhelmed by the responsibilities of children and life.  Fall training begins October 6, 2014.

 

Raising children is one of the toughest and most important jobs parents face.  It can be a struggle even when the parents have access to resources and social support.

 

But consider for a moment a single mom.  She has financial worries and few family members to depend upon nearby.  Maybe she, or a member of her family, is facing emotional, behavioral or physical challenges.

 

She’s living paycheck to paycheck, or maybe just lost her job in the recession.  How can she afford a place to live and food on the table for her family?  She is overwhelmed and doesn’t know how to get the help she needs—food stamps, affordable child care, tips on job searching and resume writing.  She has no one to talk with, to share her ups and downs, and relieve the stress she faces each day trying to keep it together for her family.  In situations like this, the children can be suffering, as well.

 

The statistics can feel overwhelming, too.   According to 2010 figures from the US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, an estimated 800,000 children in the United States were found to be victims of child abuse and neglect.  However, child abuse and neglect can be prevented. 

 

Research has shown that parents who have support from family, friends and the community are more likely to provide safe and healthy homes for their children.  When parents lack this support or feel isolated, they may be more likely to make poor decisions that can lead to neglect or abuse.

 

Registration is now open for the 4 week Mentoring Moms Fall training, which begins Monday, October 6, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Volunteer Center of Bergen County. Call (201) 489-9454, ext. 123, or visit www.bergenvolunteers.org to learn how to become a Mentoring Moms volunteer.

 

There is an especially great need for bi-lingual Spanish speaking women to become mentors.