Empowering vulnerable mothers to break out of challenging cycles, grassroots charity A Brave Life has done phenomenal work in supporting mothers to cultivate a supportive upbringing for their children, laying the foundations for a positive future. Community Bank Samford recently supported A Brave Life to trial a pilot program specifically aimed at young mothers needing a bit of extra support.
The EMALO program (Empowering Mothers and Little Ones) empowers vulnerable mothers aged 24 years and younger who have faced a broad range of life challenges such as domestic violence, poverty, trauma, relationship or family breakdown, teenage pregnancy and homelessness.
EMALO Coordinator Bianca Campling, said the program has been a success in providing a safe space and non-judgemental environment for young mothers and their babies.
“It is a place where young mums can possess a sense of belonging and be heard, when often they experience a lack of confidence and are faced with feelings of isolation and loneliness,” she said.
Each member of the program is supported on their journey through the challenges as a young parent during the early months of motherhood.
Small weekly groups were facilitated by a coordinator and peer support worker. Expert guest speakers were also on hand, sharing their experiences and knowledge to equip participants with the tools to achieve positive outcomes.
“The main feature of the program is observing the heartening changes in each mum’s self confidence in caring for their baby, additionally in particular the connections, friendships and community that is formed amongst the group participants,” Bianca said.
“The wealth of positive feedback we have obtained has been encouraging and reinforced the necessity for programs such as EMALO in our communities.”
Feedback from EMALO participants include:
“We don’t want it to end,” (Dani).
“EMALO mothers group changed the trajectory of parenting for me for the better because of the community,” (Issy).
“EMALO provided me with learning experiences that were super helpful and empowering,” (Katie).
While A Brave Life cannot change a vulnerable woman’s past, programs such as EMALO work to change a mother’s future and the future of her children to create a stronger society.
