Be a Hero on Mother's Day… and Every Day
*Content provided by our sponsor, the Michigan Education Savings Program.
By Sharlonda Buckman, CEO, Detroit Parent Network
Amidst the tragedy and confusion accompanying the events surrounding Freddie Gray's death last week in Baltimore, a heroine emerged and reminded all of us -- black, white and brown -- that mom knows best.
When Toya Graham was videocast schooling her 16-year-old son, the Internet went wild with appreciation for a mom who wasn't going to let her son be part of a problem much bigger than himself. Also: don't underestimate your mother.
With Mother's Day around the corner, we want to take a moment and recognize the remarkable and enduring ways mothers keep us on track and help us grow. Being a parent can be the toughest job in the world. And each of us, whether a parent or not, has the responsibility of ensuring our children -- and by our children, I mean every child -- has the chance to succeed.
Here are four ways anybody can help struggling moms in the Detroit area to be heroes for their kids:
- Help a mom pay for diapers or other necessary supplies - the Detroit Area Diaper Bank is a good place to start.
- Volunteer time at or donate to places like Alternatives for Girlswhich helps young girls - often young moms - get back on their feet.
- Adopt or foster a child in need - The Dave Thomas Foundation sums it up well: "Take a moment to remember a time when, as a child, you were alone, or afraid, or distraught because one of your favorite comfort items – a stuffed animal, a blanket, a toy – was missing…Children in foster care waiting to be adopted feel that loss in a much more profound way.Each and every day."
- Buy a mom a Detroit Parent Network membership-- it's only $5 and five hours of time and can connect a parent to a huge network of support and growth.
