Mom2Mom is a not-for-profit organization that focuses on helping single mothers and their children connect with resources and support that they may need. Mom2Mom charity wishes to reduce the stress and limitations of poverty that single mothers and their children face. We spoke with Melodie Mallinder, Fund Development Manager to learn more.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences
We connect single moms and their children to the resources, community and support they need, focusing on building a foundation that fosters long-term support. Mom2Mom’s unique model reduces the stress that poverty causes moms so that their families can thrive.
We do this through our 3 pillars of support: Relationship Model, Grocery support, and Connection to Resources and Community.
What problem does it aim to solve?
We want to alleviate the stresses of poverty so that moms and children can thrive without the limitations of poverty. Our vision is an equitable society where moms and children are not limited by poverty.
When did you start/join it?
I started working with Mom2Mom in October 2021.
What made you want to get involved?
I was naturally drawn to Mom2Mom as a mom myself. Like every parent during the pandemic, I was navigating the chaos of COVID-19, reflecting on my own values in my professional and home life and trying to figure out how to balance and connect those two with intention. My own mom was a single parent for most of my life and as a parent myself, I recognized the challenges my mom must have faced. Mom2Mom’s mission naturally fit with my values and working with a team of amazing women was the icing on the cake!
What was the situation like when you started?
I started during a pandemic. Although this impacted many, I was amazed at the loyalty and compassion of supporters and volunteers at Mom2Mom. They understood the significance of supporting single moms which will then also improve the lives of their children.
We worked hard to create unique opportunities to engage, thank, and communicate to donors in creative ways so they could see that their giving was still making a difference. We had to (and continue to) adapt and navigate change and in-person events and meetings were limited to follow the safety guidelines. Mom2Mom continued to offer support for M2M families by thinking outside the box to keep folks connected. It was inspiring to join an organization that continued to step up to help single moms and kids living in poverty during a pandemic, understanding the risks of increased isolation. It was refreshing to witness how Mom2Mom staff, volunteers, and board members valued the families and community.
How has it changed since?
The pandemic taught us to be creative, flexible, and more intentional about the quality of support that we offer and ask the how and the why. We have increased our in-person meetings, connections, and program events with families and the community. Mom2Mom has further developed programs and grown community partnerships. Recently we increased monthly grocery support for families (thanks to our amazing supporters). As a fundraising team, Mom2Mom has also become more community-centric, exploring the systems of oppression, and finding purposeful ways that we can better serve participants, while engaging, educating, and valuing supporters and partners.
What more needs to be done?
There will always be plenty to do as long as poverty and oppression exist. As a community, we need to continue to support moms and children in poverty, with the vision of an equitable society where moms and children are not limited by poverty. As an organization, we can work alongside other organizations and collaborate within the community to improve our efforts and the impact of support. By offering education and encouraging those who have the means to support, donate and help in the community, we can continue to create awareness so that we can keep connecting families to the support they need to thrive, not just survive.
How can our readers help?
Donate, volunteer, educate and be compassionately curious. Follow and share posts.
Do you have any events coming up?
We have many events, dinners and connections with families and community partners in the next few weeks. Each month, Mom2Mom relationship volunteers meet with participant moms, offering non-judgemental emotional and practical support. Stay tuned for our Compassion Campaign launch, in which we hope to raise funds to provide financial support for families to help with unexpected bills and costs, extra grocery support, medical bills and more
Where can we follow you?
Website | Facebook | Instagram
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
There are too many…
• A Better Life foundation/Plate of possibility: They focus on food security, and provide daily meals, training, education, practice inclusive hiring and take climate change action to make a direct, meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most.
• BC ABORIGINAL CHILD CARE SOCIETY: Ensures that every Indigenous child in BC has access to spiritually enriching, culturally based, high-quality early learning and childcare services.
