Page 56 - North State Parent March 2022

FAMILY LIFE & SUPPORT NORTH STATE PARENT FAMILY RESOURCE GUIDE SPRING/SUMMER 2022
Photos by Amber Thompson
Chico Mothers Club
Support And Lifelong Friendship
In 1995, a group of six mothers got together to create a supportive, safe space for themselves and other families experiencing the journey of moth-
erhood and parenting. Their vision eventually became the Chico Mothers Club (CMC), a member-run organiza- tion that provides fruitful friendships, social connections and a variety of resources for families in Chico and the surrounding area.
Playgroups and other regular connections for 241 members
As members of the CMC, moms, kids and families connect on a regular basis as they build lifelong friend- ships. For families that have lived here for a while and are looking for extra socialization and for those that are new to the area, CNCe offers weekly, monthly and annual ac- tivities and events. The club’s steering committee, a group of 28 volunteer moms, organizes a variety of events and initiatives with something for each of its 241 members. Playgroups, a popular activity, are divided based on the child’s’ birth year, with a limit of eight moms in each play- group. In consideration of the current life challenges with the pandemic, some groups are meeting in person and some have decided to stay virtual for the time being.
CMC President Shae Lerner joined the club in 2016 when she first moved to Chico. “The club provides moms with a forum to discuss difficult parenting stages online as well as playgroups and support groups to meet in person with other moms experiencing similar stages of child rearing,” she says. “We are a safe place to discuss all mothering challenges and celebrations. I personally be-
By Nourah Al Anbar
lieve that any connection a mom has with other moms is beneficial in order to know you aren’t alone in your strug- gles and sacrifices. We also celebrate parenting victories together.”
Support groups, discounts, book clubs, bunco and meal trains
Joining the Chico Mothers Club is a wonderful op- portunity for moms and dads to meet new people and take advantage of activities and socialization for their chil- dren. CMC members can enjoy weekly playgroup meet- ups and a private Facebook group for personal questions, advice and general support from fellow moms. The group also provides a private Buy/Sell/Trade Facebook page for members and alumni, monthly support circles for preg- nant mothers, a momtrepreneurs group andmembership discounts at more than 20 local businesses.
In addition, members can join in the many regular events and activities such as book clubs, bunco nights, craft and holiday parties. For many members, the oppor- tunity to build lifelong friendships with other families, in addition to the tremendous support fellow moms show one another, is the most compelling membership perk: with meal trains and gifts for new mothers and extra sup- port through challenging circumstances.
Support and reassurance take the stress off
Michaela Golightly, a mother of three, joined CMC more than six years ago and is now a Sunshine Coordi- nator, a member of the events team. “I love being a part of CMC and recommend it to everyone,” she says. “My
favorite benefit is the opportunity to know and meet other like-minded moms and helping plan events and be in community together. I love being able to make oth- er moms meals and take the stress off when they have a new baby or a hardship. I get to make all of the birth- day cards for the moms and kiddos while serving on the steering committee, and I get to help plan field trips and events for both moms and kids. Every new mom needs a little support and reassurance and company and I think this club is all of those things.”
Layla Betar, also a mother of three, joined CMC in 2015 when her first child was two. She has helped as a playgroup organizer and says now that her children are in school, she enjoys the bunco nights and the book club. She says the meal trains were a huge help when her two youngest were born. “I wouldn’t have made it through the early years without CMC,” she says. “Everyone is genuine and wants to take care of one another.”
CMC membership
CMC membership dues go to keeping the club fun and functional. Since the board of CMC is also run by busy mamas, they encourage its members to actively partici- pate in the club by helping plan and/or implement at least one project or activity per year. Members who par- ticipate in this way receive a 25% discount for their annu- al dues. For complete information about CMC, including membership applications and requirements, visit chico- mothersclub.org. Enrollment starts on June 1.
56 North State Parent Family Resource Guide Spring/Summer 2022 • www.northstateparent.com