Mamas for Mamas

We are overwhelmed with gratitude and joy! Thank you, Kot Auto Group, from the bottom of our hearts for your incredibly generous $10,000 donation to support mamas and caregivers in the community! Your kindness will make an enormous difference in our lives and the lives of our little ones. With $10,000, we can purchase approximately 50,000 diapers, ensuring our babies stay dry, comfortable, and happy. Additionally, this donation could cover around 350 cans of formula, providing essential nutrition to infants who rely on it for their healthy growth and development. In Canada, where food insecurity sadly affects 1 in 8 families (which translates to 1.2 million children), your contribution could help feed over 50 families for an entire month. This means fewer worries about putting food on the table, allowing us to focus on nurturing and caring for our children with peace of mind. Your support goes beyond financial aid; it's a hand up of kindness and solidarity. Together, we are creating a brighter future for our families and our community. Thank you once again, Kot Auto Group, for your compassion and generosity. We are forever grateful! John Kot Kot Auto Group

To understand how a mom with a newborn and a toddler can end up living in their car in Canada in 2024, we need to rethink our perception of poverty. The current system’s poverty cut-off lines don’t reflect true living costs, disadvantaging many, especially in urban centres. Child poverty is rising, the latest UNICEF data reveals that 17% of children live in poverty as of 2021. Moreover, single-parent households are especially vulnerable, with 47% of children living in poverty. Many families, earning just above the poverty line, struggle without qualifying for government subsidies. Invisible homelessness is growing. Families working full-time still face housing insecurity, living in cars, motels, or unsafe conditions. Our community urgently needs long-term subsidized housing. If the past few years have shown us anything, it’s that many are just one life event away from needing help. If you can lend a hand or a dollar, we have a mama who needs your support. Let’s make a difference together. Join us. To support our invisible homelessness campaign and to make sure no child faces homelessness in our community, please visit our website (https://lnkd.in/gpTUwAMN) through our link in bio or e-transfer accounting@mamasformamas.org. Any donation over $50 is eligible for a tax receipt. Thank you for being a part of this change.

🐝🌸 Partnering for Community. Embracing the Buzz! 🌸🐝 The Foraging Bee is thrilled to announce this exciting partnership with Mamas for Mamas in Kelowna by introducing a Honeybee Sponsorship program for local businesses that gives back to Mamas and Caregivers in Crisis! 🎉 Sponsor your very own Personalized Honey Bee Hive and give back to the community while supporting sustainable beekeeping and farming in your local area. 🍯✨ About Mamas for Mamas: Mamas for Mamas is a national charitable organization dedicated to supporting mothers and caregivers in crisis by providing ongoing support to individuals and families facing various poverty-related struggles. Your Hive Sponsorship will help us support the vision that no child or Mama should be left behind. 💖 About The Foraging Bee: The Foraging Bee is an organic local honey producer 🍯 dedicated to promoting sustainable practices and awareness in beekeeping and beyond. 🌻🐝 Benefits of Your Sponsorship: Corporate and Social Responsibility: Play a key role in reversing the decline of honeybees and local pollinators, while improving environmental biodiversity. Give Back to the Community: Partner with us to Sponsor a Hive and give back to Mamas, Caregivers, and Children in need. It's also a meaningful way to engage in conservation efforts that support vital pollinators. 🤝 Employee Engagement: Sponsoring a Hive and Donating to Mamas for Mamas provides long-term retention and excitement for families and employees. Plus, learn about bees and beekeeping through Hive Tours and Workshops! Education and Sharing: Learn more about how to support Mamas for Mamas in the community. Learn about the Amazing Honeybee, local pollinators, and beekeeping. Share your knowledge and experience with friends and family, and enjoy personalized crafted Honey from your sponsored hive! 🐝🍯 Additional Investment Opportunities: - Exclusive Brand Labeling on additional purchased Honey Jars. -Become more involved and Donate more to Mamas for Mamas -Unique Corporate outings at one of our Apiaries. -Fundraising opportunities for schools and sporting teams. -Mentorship Programs for aspiring Beekeepers. -Special discounted rates for sponsors and their teams/families on additional products or services. 👉 For more information and to become a sponsor, visit @foragingbee on Instagram! Let's create a sweeter, more supportive community together! 💕 #HiveSponsorship #CommunitySupport #SustainableFarming #BeeKind #MamasForMamas #KelownaBusinesses #SupportLocal #theforagingbee #embracethebuzz

As a fellow organization that is deeply rooted in our community and largely supported through community fundraising, we stand in solidarity with Childhood Connections as they face the heartbreaking prospect of closure due to the loss of their contract. Childhood Connected has been supporting the Okanagan for over 40 years. Their expertise and knowledge of our community are unparalleled due to their longstanding presence. We find it so upsetting that government contracts are so often awarded to the bigger non-profit name as opposed to smaller, homegrown mighty forces of change. This closure of Childhood Connections means that a central lifeline of support for families in Kelowna will be lost. Just two years ago, the organization invested over $500,000 to establish a new Child Care and Resources Referral Centre. This centre is based on incomparable expertise and knowledge of our community’s needs; offering drop-in childcare services so that parents can remain in the workforce, a toy library to ensure all children have access to play and joy and an education hub with resources for childcare providers in the community. Childhood Connections makes sure everyone is nurtured. It is time to make sure this organisation receives some much-deserved support in the face of this unjust loss of its funding contract– the same kind of love and support they have shown us over the years. Please consider signing the petition or attend the rally at Childhood Connections Saturday April 6, 10am-12pm. We call on our government to reevaluate policies around Requests for Proposals (RFPs) that jeopardize long-standing community services like Childhood Connections. These RFPs often result in contracts being awarded to bigger organizations that have fewer ties to the community than fellow homegrown organizations. These transfers of services often have no transition plan or an unrealistic transitional time frame that results in a gap in care for families until the new services commence. We need to ensure that ministries collaborate with our existing services– the organizations that know our community like the back of their hand. Supporting low-income families should not have to come down to politics or money. But unfortunately, that’s what the system ends up bringing it down to through pressures to monopolize and corporatize care. It is just wrong. We ask fellow concerned citizens to voice their support by sending letters to: Renee Merrifield: Renee.merrifield.mla@leg.bc.ca. (250) 712-3620 Karin Kirkpatrick: karin.kirkpatrick.MLA@leg.bc.ca (250) 356-6171 Minister Rachna Singh: educ.minister@gov.bc.ca (250) 356-8247 Minister Mitzi Dean: mitzi.dean.MLA@leg.bc.ca (250) 356-5781 Your voice matters, and together, we can preserve essential community support for families in the Okanagan. https://lnkd.in/gJj-JFV5

The Family Court Support program at Mamas for Mamas is designed to offer guidance, resources, and advocacy to individuals facing legal battles related to family issues such as custody, access, and child support. Through a holistic approach, our program aims to empower participants with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the legal process effectively while also addressing their emotional and practical needs. One of the key elements of the program is its focus on accessibility. We understand that many individuals facing family court proceedings may lack the financial means to hire legal representation or access essential support services. As such, our organization offers free or low-cost assistance to ensure that no one is denied access to justice due to financial constraints. By establishing partnerships with local organizations, legal professionals, and community leaders, we have been able to extend our reach and provide critical support to individuals and families in Alberta facing family law challenges. The program's expansion into Alberta is timely, given the increasing demand for family court support services in the province. Whether it is divorce, custody disputes, and other family-related legal issues, many individuals find themselves overwhelmed and unsure of how to navigate the complex legal system. Mamas for Mamas' Family Court Support program offers a lifeline to these individuals, providing people with the guidance and assistance they need to protect their rights and the well-being of their families. Through a combination of legal advocacy, emotional support, and practical assistance, the Family Court Support program has already made a profound impact on the lives of countless individuals and families in British Columbia. By expanding into Alberta, we hope to extend this impact even further, ensuring that no family in need is left behind. We are also committed to raising awareness about family law issues and advocating for systemic change to improve access to justice for all. Through education, outreach, and collaboration with government agencies and policymakers, we seek to address the root causes of family legal disputes and create a more equitable and compassionate legal system for families across Canada. The expansion of our Family Court Support program into Alberta represents a significant step forward in our mission to empower families facing legal challenges. By providing accessible, comprehensive support services, our organization is helping to ensure that every family has the resources and assistance they need to navigate the complexities of the legal system and secure a brighter future for themselves and their children.

Imagine the panic of seeing your baby’s can of formula gradually get lower and lower throughout feedings, knowing there is nothing you can do but hope you receive your paycheck soon enough to purchase a new can– or else your baby may starve. There is nothing you can do and life seems to be spinning out of control. Feeding your baby seems like the simplest thing to achieve, but with unprecedented inflation and formula shortages, it is anything but. Situations like these are far from imaginary, and parents are struggling to feed their babies with formula. Every day. Last month, a mama had to resort to dialing 911 in order to access formula to feed her baby. It was the middle of the night, she was panicking and her baby was screaming with hunger. It was the only option. Signifying just how expensive it has become to feed a baby with formula, supermarkets and pharmacies have begun to lock up formula behind glass to deter shoplifting. When feeding a baby with formula can cost the same amount as a monthly lease for a luxury car (and even more for specialty formulas), something needs to change. As a community, we need to rise to support each other. At Mamas for Mamas, we believe any reason to formula feed a baby is a valid reason that reflects what is best for each individual family, and we will support families in what they choose. People should be able to feed their babies without going into poverty. Formula feeding is not always a choice either, and no one should have to choose between keeping a roof over their head or keeping their baby fed. Launching today, Mamas for Mamas branches across Canada are spearheading our newest campaign, “Formula For Families,” so that our community can work together to ensure no baby goes without the essential nutrition necessary for their survival. Between now and March 15th, if you are in a position to donate, please consider supporting this campaign by leaving a monetary donation below: https://lnkd.in/g9N7C3Tn Fed babies are the healthiest and happiest babies. Let’s do this!

Pink Shirt Day, also known as Anti-Bullying Day, originated in Canada in 2007. The movement began when two students, David Shepherd and Travis Price, took a stand against homophobic bullying after witnessing a fellow student being harassed for wearing a pink shirt. In response, they decided to distribute pink shirts to their classmates to wear the next day as a symbol of solidarity against bullying. The history of Pink Shirt Day highlights the power of individuals to make a difference in the fight against bullying. The initiative quickly gained traction and evolved into a global campaign that is observed in many countries every February. The message is clear: promoting kindness, empathy, and understanding to create a world free from bullying. At Mamas for Mamas, the values of Pink Shirt Day align seamlessly with our mission. Our organization is committed to supporting families facing poverty-related struggles. We believe in fostering a community where everyone feels safe, respected, and supported. Bullying, whether in schools, workplaces, or online spaces, goes against the principles of compassion and understanding that we advocate for. Pink Shirt Day serves as a reminder that each person has the power to contribute to a positive and inclusive environment. By wearing pink shirts, individuals signify their commitment to standing up against bullying and promoting a culture of acceptance. This aligns with Mamas for Mamas' values of building a community that uplifts and empowers one another, creating a space where judgment and negativity have no place. As an organization, we recognize the importance of addressing not only the economic challenges that families face but also the emotional and social struggles that can arise from bullying and discrimination. By actively supporting initiatives like Pink Shirt Day, we aim to create a society where individuals are embraced for who they are, free from the fear of judgment and mistreatment. At Mamas for Mamas, we wholeheartedly embrace the values embodied by this movement, working towards a world where every individual, regardless of their background or circumstances, can thrive in a supportive and inclusive community.

Parents going into debt to ensure their children have enough to eat. Economic challenges, rising living costs, and unexpected financial burdens have created a situation where many parents find themselves making difficult choices to put food on the table. The cost of living in Canada has been steadily increasing, making it difficult for families to make ends meet. For some parents, this means taking on debt to cover essential expenses, with food often being a significant portion of their budget. The consequences are not just financial; they extend to the well-being of children who may experience the physical and emotional toll of food insecurity. Enter the Karma Market – a unique initiative designed to alleviate the burden on struggling parents. The concept behind the Karma Market is simple: users can donate or contribute in various ways to support families facing financial challenges. And families who access the Market can do so at no financial cost— the only expectation is that they continue to pay forward this kindness. Donors can provide grocery vouchers, sharing extra food/clothing/self-care items, baby goods (such as formula), or even offer skills and resources that empower parents to generate additional income. The Karma Market fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility, emphasizing the idea that everyone has the ability to contribute kindness towards others in their own special way. One of the key features of the Karma Market is its emphasis on dignity and empowerment. Instead of a one-sided charity model, our initiative encourages a reciprocal exchange of goods, services, and support within a beautiful boutique-style space. This approach not only helps meet immediate needs but also works towards breaking the cycle of poverty by assisting parents to build a more sustainable future for their families. By addressing the immediate challenge of putting food on the table, the Karma Market aims to provide relief to parents facing difficult circumstances, fostering a sense of hope and resilience within our community.

💐 Carolily is hosting a Community Happy Hour event in honour of International Women's Day! 💐 This event will take place Friday March 08, 2024 from 4pm-6pm at Sobar Kelowna, BC! Your ticket will include one welcome drink (with or without alcohol), delicious bites to nosh on, and have live music to jam along with during this amazing night! Ticket sales make an impact as 50% of ticket proceeds are donated to Mamas for Mamas! Plus, you will also have the opportunity to win some incredible raffle prizes, with 100% of the raffle proceeds supporting Karis Support Society!! You can find tickets here: https://lnkd.in/g4DBwDeH