San Fernando Valley Mocha Moms
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| Under Construction |
| About Nationals... |
In May 1997, Jolene Ivey and
Karla Chutz began publishing a
newsletter called "Mocha
Moms" in the hopes of
connecting with other mothers
of color across the country that
were taking time off from their
careers to raise their children.
The newsletter was intended to
encourage these mothers to
feel good about their choice
and to provide information to
enrich their parenting
experience. The first Mocha
Moms newsletter was
published in the spring of 1997
and was distributed to over
100 mothers nationwide.
By June of 1997, Jolene and
Karla teamed up with Cheli
English-Figaro to make Mocha
Moms a national support
organization. The first chapter
was established in Prince
George's County, Maryland.
Joby Dupree came on board
as the fourth founder in the fall
of 1997 and Mocha Moms, Inc.
was born.
Mocha Moms, Inc. was
incorporated in 1999 and
received 501 (c)(3) non-profit
status in January 2002.
Our activities are consistent
with our goal of supporting
stay-at-home mothers of color
and the communities we live in:
Weekly Mother's Support
Group Meetings
Every local chapter of Mocha
Moms, Inc. sponsors a weekly
or bi-monthly mothers' support
group meetings, which must be
held during the week between
the hours of 10am and 2pm.
An informal discussion led by
one of the Mocha Moms or an
invited facilitator is an integral
part of the support group
meetings. Support Meetings
are approximately two hours in
duration and serve as
opportunities for mothers to
gather and talk - an activity
that most adults take for
granted, but missing from the
daily lives of at-home mothers.
Ideas are exchanged,
friendships are formed, and at-
home mothers of color
discover that they are not
alone.
Monthly Moms-Only Potluck
or Night-Out Events
Moms-only nights are
sponsored monthly by each
local chapter. Moms-only
nights are the only time each
month that members meet
without the distraction of
children. Often, it is the only
opportunity members have to
"recharge their batteries" and
focus on themselves. Members
may go to the movies, out to
dinner or to a health club or
spa. Most of the time, however,
a chapter will invite an expert in
a field to come to a member's
house to discuss such issues
as educational options for
children, financial planning or
operating home-based
businesses.
Community Service Projects
Community service and
outreach is a key part of
Mocha Moms, Inc. Each local
chapter of Mocha Moms, Inc. is
required to perform two
community service projects
each year, one of which must
focus on the National
Community Service Initiative
(for 2004-2006 – Heart
Disease). This is easily
accomplished because most
members are eager to use
their energy doing something
positive for their communities.
To learn more about our
National Organization click
here.
Karla Chutz began publishing a
newsletter called "Mocha
Moms" in the hopes of
connecting with other mothers
of color across the country that
were taking time off from their
careers to raise their children.
The newsletter was intended to
encourage these mothers to
feel good about their choice
and to provide information to
enrich their parenting
experience. The first Mocha
Moms newsletter was
published in the spring of 1997
and was distributed to over
100 mothers nationwide.
By June of 1997, Jolene and
Karla teamed up with Cheli
English-Figaro to make Mocha
Moms a national support
organization. The first chapter
was established in Prince
George's County, Maryland.
Joby Dupree came on board
as the fourth founder in the fall
of 1997 and Mocha Moms, Inc.
was born.
Mocha Moms, Inc. was
incorporated in 1999 and
received 501 (c)(3) non-profit
status in January 2002.
Our activities are consistent
with our goal of supporting
stay-at-home mothers of color
and the communities we live in:
Weekly Mother's Support
Group Meetings
Every local chapter of Mocha
Moms, Inc. sponsors a weekly
or bi-monthly mothers' support
group meetings, which must be
held during the week between
the hours of 10am and 2pm.
An informal discussion led by
one of the Mocha Moms or an
invited facilitator is an integral
part of the support group
meetings. Support Meetings
are approximately two hours in
duration and serve as
opportunities for mothers to
gather and talk - an activity
that most adults take for
granted, but missing from the
daily lives of at-home mothers.
Ideas are exchanged,
friendships are formed, and at-
home mothers of color
discover that they are not
alone.
Monthly Moms-Only Potluck
or Night-Out Events
Moms-only nights are
sponsored monthly by each
local chapter. Moms-only
nights are the only time each
month that members meet
without the distraction of
children. Often, it is the only
opportunity members have to
"recharge their batteries" and
focus on themselves. Members
may go to the movies, out to
dinner or to a health club or
spa. Most of the time, however,
a chapter will invite an expert in
a field to come to a member's
house to discuss such issues
as educational options for
children, financial planning or
operating home-based
businesses.
Community Service Projects
Community service and
outreach is a key part of
Mocha Moms, Inc. Each local
chapter of Mocha Moms, Inc. is
required to perform two
community service projects
each year, one of which must
focus on the National
Community Service Initiative
(for 2004-2006 – Heart
Disease). This is easily
accomplished because most
members are eager to use
their energy doing something
positive for their communities.
To learn more about our
National Organization click
here.
| How do I Join Mocha Moms? |
| Take us for a test drive!! Join us at a support/play group, a family event, or a Moms Night Out, to see what we're all about. We only ask that after attending ONE of our events, you submit your dues & application if you decide that you want to continue in our organization. Mocha Moms dues are only $34 per year. For an application contact our membership coordinator Shawna at membership@sfvmm.org . Come on and get your MOCHA Love!! |
SFVMM is a support group for working and stay at home mothers of color. It is an
organization whose primary purpose is to support and encourage mothers of color who
are making parenting a priority in this season of their lives.
organization whose primary purpose is to support and encourage mothers of color who
are making parenting a priority in this season of their lives.
The guiding principles behind SFVMM are inclusiveness and support.
We welcome and include all women interested in being a part of our organization. There is
strength in numbers and the strength of our membership growth is essential to the growth of
our community.
SFVMM serves as an advocate for mothers and we encourage the spirit of community
activism within our membership.
SFVMM does not discriminate and all those who support the mission of SFVMM are
welcome to join regardless of age, race, religion, creed, socioeconomic or employment
status.
SFVMM seeks to develop internally through various support group meetings, Moms Only
events and chapter/potluck meetings, while developing externally through: community
service, fundraising, and other extracurricular activities.
Our goal is to be able to support and encourage as many mothers of color as possible on
an on-going basis. Therefore we whole-hearted believe in working together with other MM
Chapters we are close to geographically, on mutually beneficial projects.
We welcome and include all women interested in being a part of our organization. There is
strength in numbers and the strength of our membership growth is essential to the growth of
our community.
SFVMM serves as an advocate for mothers and we encourage the spirit of community
activism within our membership.
SFVMM does not discriminate and all those who support the mission of SFVMM are
welcome to join regardless of age, race, religion, creed, socioeconomic or employment
status.
SFVMM seeks to develop internally through various support group meetings, Moms Only
events and chapter/potluck meetings, while developing externally through: community
service, fundraising, and other extracurricular activities.
Our goal is to be able to support and encourage as many mothers of color as possible on
an on-going basis. Therefore we whole-hearted believe in working together with other MM
Chapters we are close to geographically, on mutually beneficial projects.
| SFVMM exists in part to set the record straight. |
| Families of color are making great sacrifices in order to provide their children with the best child care available - mother care. |
Photo submitted by MM Sylvia
| Little Legs, Big Hearts Toddler Run/Walk for Charity 2004 |
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