Mothers' Groups
MotherWoman groups provide safe places of mutual respect and non-judgement where mothers can build community and support one another as they navigate the realities of motherhood.
At MotherWoman we acknowledge the enormous impact that mothers have in the world, both through their children and through their own lives. Our vision is to provide an opportunity for all women to engage in a MotherWoman group that provides them with the support, education and community they need to flourish as women and as mothers.
For the most up-to-date information about when a group is meeting, please see our calendar, call our office at (413) 253-8990; or use the contact information listed below.
Amherst
MotherWoman Group: Getting Real About Motherhood
Wednesdays 10:00am-11:30am
Amherst Family Center, basement of the Unitarian Church (next to Barts), downtown Amherst
Community, diversity, self-discovery. Share laughter and tears. Be inspired. It's all here. Expectant mothers welcome. A free group with snacks andchildcare provided up to age four. This group follows the Amherst public school schedule and does not meet when the schools are closed or have delayed opening due to weather. For more info contact Annette Cycon at (413) 253-8990 or annette@motherwoman.org. MotherWoman trained facilitator.
MOCAI's Women's Circle
Tuesdays 7:30-9:00pm
MotherWoman Office, Amherst
Free, weekly drop-in circle for all women of color. This circle provides a safe space of mutual respect and non-judgment – a place where women of color can support each other and build community as they navigate the richness and complexity of their lives. Circle's activities range from dialogue, journaling, art healing projects and culturally rich outings. Featuring a monthly special guest facilitator. This group is designed for women only. Expectant mothers and babies in arms are welcome (approx 14mths and under use your discretion). Transportation available upon request. Unfortunately, at this time we do not provide childcare for this group but hope to honor our many requests soon. For more information contact MOCAI's Director Bessie Jones at mocaigroup@gmail.com or visit us at mocai.org. MotherWoman trained facilitator. This group is cosponsored by MotherWoman.
Grandparent Support
Tuesdays 9:00–12
The Amherst Family Center, Unitarian Meeting House, 121 North Pleasant Street, Amherst (enter through rear of building)
MotherWoman Group facilitator Ann Marie Meltzer is available to offer support to grandparents. The Amherst Family Center is a program of the UMass Office of Family Resources. This program is supported by funds from the Highland Valley Elder service. Ann Marie Meltzer is a mother of three and a grandparent of seven. MotherWoman trained facilitator.
Chicopee
Mothers Among Us Group
every other Friday 2:45-4:30pm
For mothers incarcerated at the Western MA Regional Women's Correctional Center (WCC)
Administered by The Prison Birth Project. For more information, contact Marianne Bullock at theprisonbirthproject@gmail.com. MotherWoman trained facilitator.
Greenfield
Franklin County Postpartum Support Group: This is Harder Than I Thought.
Fridays, 10-11:30am Community Action Family Center, 90 Federal St. Greenfield
Join mothers for a free, safe, confidential drop-in group for mothers of infants and babies
up to one year old who are experiencing a challenging postpartum time. Expectant mothers welcome.
Feel heard, valued, understood, nurtured and energized. Free childcare up to four years old.
Runs year-round except during December, February, and April school vacation weeks.
Call for transporation support. Contact Pam Baldwin at 413-774-1000 x2015 or Sandy Clark at 413-475-1566.
This program is funded by Clinical and Support Options and Baystate Franklin Medical Center
with the support of MotherWoman, Community Action and Pioneer Women's Health. MotherWoman trained facilitators.
Grandparent Support Group
Thursdays from 10am to 12pm; weekly meetings beginning in October 2009 and continuing throughout the winter
Greenfield Family Center, 90 Federal Street Greenfield
Offered by the Franklin County Family Network of Community Action with the support of Franklin County Home Care. Support program offered to grandparents who are caring for and parenting their grandchildren in Franklin County. The group creates a safe place where grandparents of diverse background and parenting styles can come together to create community, break isolation and talk about their experiences as parents and grandparents, and to explore issues relevant to parenting their grandchildren or interacting with their own children. Childcare and a healthy snack are provided. Facilitated by Ann Marie Meltzer, a grandmother of seven. Transportation available (gas cards, bus tokens etc.) For more information, contact Francia Wisnewski at the Greenfield Family Center, 413-475-1553 or fwisnewski@communityaction.us. MotherWoman trained facilitator.
Holyoke
MotherWoman Postpartum Support Group
Wednesdays 1pm
Midwifery Care of Holyoke, 230 Maple Street, Holyoke
Join mothers for a free, safe, confidential bi-lingual drop-in support group for mothers of infants and babies up to one year old. Expectant mothers welcome. Runs year-round. Administered by the Birthing Center at Holyoke Medical Center. Contact Lisa Pack at (413) 534-2700. MotherWoman trained facilitator.
Northampton
MotherWoman Postpartum Group: This is Harder Than I Thought
Tuesdays 10:15am - 12:15pm
Community Action, 56 Vernon St, Northampton
Join mothers for a free, safe, confidential drop-in group.For mothers of infants and babies up to one year old who are experiencing a challenging postpartum time. Expectant mothers welcome. Feel heard, valued, understood, nurtured and energized.Free childcare up to four years old. Runs year-round except during December, February, and April school vacation weeks. This group follows the Northampton public school schedule and does not meet when the schools are closed or have delayed opening due to weather. Contact Annette Cycon at (413) 253-8990 or annette@motherwoman.org. MotherWoman trained facilitator.
MotherWoman Group: Getting Real About Motherhood
Mondays 10:00am-11:30am, starting September 14th
Quaker Meeting House, 43 Center Street, second floor, Northampton
Community, diversity, self-discovery. Share laughter and tears. Be inspired. It's all here. Expectant mothers welcome. A free group with snacks andchildcare provided up to age four. Offered in collaboration with Mothers Among Us, a program of the Prison Birth Project. Co-sponsored by the Grace House and Safe Passage. This group follows the Northampton public school schedule and does not meet when the schools are closed or have delayed opening due to weather. For more info contact Annette Cycon at (413) 253-8990 or annette@motherwoman.org. MotherWoman trained facilitator.
MOCAI's Color Play
Every 3rd Saturday 10am-12pm
Forbes Library, Northampton
Free, on going, drop-in for all families parenting children of color. We at MOCAI support the unique needs of families raising children of color in the Pioneer Valley of Western MA. We recognize that our children’s visual environment influences their concepts of self and normality. This group supports parents by addressing the cultural imbalances of their children’s community, encouraging self-acceptance and identity awareness. This free event includes a healthy snack, story and seasonal craft for all ages. Those with trans-racial adoptee children, LGBTQA parents, and children in foster care families are strongly encouraged to join us. For more information contact Marisa Pizii at mocaigroup@gmail.com or visit us at http://mocai.org/. MotherWoman trained facilitator. This group is cosponsored by MotherWoman.
Free Emotional Wellness Drop-In for Pregnant or Postpartum Women
Every Thursday 1pm
Cradle; 3rd Floor of Thorne's Marketplace, Northampton
Stop in for a brief one-to-one free check-in and referral service with Nicole Stevens, LICSW. This service is designed to assist pregnant and postpartum women to connect with resources to assist them in achieving emotional wellness. These are short assessments to point women in the direction that is right for them. No appointment is necessary; please drop in. For more information about this program or any of Cradle's classes, groups, workshops, essentials store or wellness services, please visit the Cradle website or call 413.341.5282. Co-sponsored by MotherWoman.
Springfield
Baystate Postpartum Support Group
Wednesdays at 1:30pm in NICU, Conference Room B, 2nd floor, Wesson Building, Baystate Hospital, Springfield. Join mothers for a free, safe, confidential drop-in group. For mothers of infants and babies up to one year old who are experiencing a challenging postpartum time. Expectant mothers welcome. Feel heard, valued, understood, nurtured and energized. Contact Susan Jones at (413) 794-2742. MotherWoman trained facilitator.