05-12-2012, 01:48 AM
boston herald
Just ask mom — it’s the little things that count.
That’s especially true for moms living in poverty, say staffers at local women’s shelters. Small touches can make them help feel special, especially on Mother’s Day.
“It’s a really big day for us. You can only imagine, it’s not the easiest of days for the women,” said Cassie Walsh, development and communications coordinator at Women’s Lunch Place.
The Newbury Street-based nonprofit helps poor and homeless women get back on their feet. They expect 200 hundred women to attend their annual Mother’s Day brunch tomorrow.
“Mother’s Day in general should just be a happy holiday. It should bring out the laughter and smiles in everybody,” Walsh said. “Given the struggles these women go through each day, we want to make that the focus. We’re their family. It’s just something to (help them) forget about all the worries.”
Rosie’s Place treats women in their care to a day of beauty on Monday, and has called in a makeup artist and masseuse.
“It helps them feel special inside and out,” said Leemarie Mosca, director of development at Rosie’s Place. “I think when you are a poor or homeless woman you often don’t have an opportunity to feel beautiful.”
Tara Dendy, director of adult programming at Elizabeth Stone House in Jamaica Plain, said “Being a mom is an additional job. These women go out to school or work and they come home to a second job. They don’t have time off. It’s just nice to recognize and celebrate that,” Dendy said.
The shelter plans to give their 17 moms gift bags of pampering products and treat them to a special dinner.
Dorchester-based shelter Project Hope celebrated Mother’s Day early, with a special dinner and family portrait session Thursday evening.
“The whole idea is for them to take a few moments to focus on themselves and relate to each other as moms,” said Elizabeth Maglio, director of developmental and external affairs.
This year, 11 mothers in the shelter’s care were treated to a meal and a gift, bracelets with their children’s names on them.
“One of the main features of the evening is that they all dress up,” Maglio said. “We have a makeup artist, and we do family pictures. When people lose their homes, they lose most of their possessions. This gives them a sense of history. We can pamper them for an evening and support them as they get back to work on being self-sufficient.”
Just ask mom — it’s the little things that count.
That’s especially true for moms living in poverty, say staffers at local women’s shelters. Small touches can make them help feel special, especially on Mother’s Day.
“It’s a really big day for us. You can only imagine, it’s not the easiest of days for the women,” said Cassie Walsh, development and communications coordinator at Women’s Lunch Place.
The Newbury Street-based nonprofit helps poor and homeless women get back on their feet. They expect 200 hundred women to attend their annual Mother’s Day brunch tomorrow.
“Mother’s Day in general should just be a happy holiday. It should bring out the laughter and smiles in everybody,” Walsh said. “Given the struggles these women go through each day, we want to make that the focus. We’re their family. It’s just something to (help them) forget about all the worries.”
Rosie’s Place treats women in their care to a day of beauty on Monday, and has called in a makeup artist and masseuse.
“It helps them feel special inside and out,” said Leemarie Mosca, director of development at Rosie’s Place. “I think when you are a poor or homeless woman you often don’t have an opportunity to feel beautiful.”
Tara Dendy, director of adult programming at Elizabeth Stone House in Jamaica Plain, said “Being a mom is an additional job. These women go out to school or work and they come home to a second job. They don’t have time off. It’s just nice to recognize and celebrate that,” Dendy said.
The shelter plans to give their 17 moms gift bags of pampering products and treat them to a special dinner.
Dorchester-based shelter Project Hope celebrated Mother’s Day early, with a special dinner and family portrait session Thursday evening.
“The whole idea is for them to take a few moments to focus on themselves and relate to each other as moms,” said Elizabeth Maglio, director of developmental and external affairs.
This year, 11 mothers in the shelter’s care were treated to a meal and a gift, bracelets with their children’s names on them.
“One of the main features of the evening is that they all dress up,” Maglio said. “We have a makeup artist, and we do family pictures. When people lose their homes, they lose most of their possessions. This gives them a sense of history. We can pamper them for an evening and support them as they get back to work on being self-sufficient.”