Family Mentoring
The addition of a new baby can be a stressful, sometimes difficult time for all parents, but especially for young or single parents, low-income families and those on active military duty. Today, with extended family members geographically dispersed or away at work, moms and dads often do not get the help they need.
Living on an island can exacerbate feelings of isolation, helplessness, or post-partum depression. Navy families may be especially isolated if they have no local family and may have a partner deployed for long periods of time.
Our programs were formed to bring volunteers and families together to provide practical and emotional support to any family with young children birth to five, free of charge.
How It Works
When Mother Mentors receives a request for service, we match one of our skilled volunteers with a family based on their unique needs. Trained mentor helpers visit once a week for a minimum of six months to provide practical and emotional support to the parent or caregiver by being present for much needed adult conversation and building caring relationships with the children in the home. Support can also include simple tasks, such as preparing a meal or reading a story to a sibling, or playing with the children while the parent or caregiver attends to other tasks. Volunteer mentors undergo background checks and are required to complete training before being matched with a family. Mentors attend monthly sessions to share their experiences, learn new skills, and interact with one another and other community professionals.
Services are free of charge and are provided in the family’s home. At least one parent or caregiver must be in attendance at all times when a Mentor is present in the home. All of our Mentors are volunteers. They have faced the challenges of parenting and understand that parents with young children need support.
Families Served
- First-time parents
- Families with multiple births
- Families with or two or three children under the age of five
- Single parents
- Parents of children with special needs
- Multi-generational families
- Families who are dealing with illness
We are available to visit any families with children aged five and younger.
In-Home Services
- Nonjudgmental support and companionship
- Care for infants and siblings
- Promotion of parent-infant bonding
- Meal preparation and light household tasks
- Connection to community resources
- Parent education
- Encouragement and coping skills