With so much need right now because of the pandemic and job losses, I feel like I'm really helping when I volunteer here. I might be delivering food boxes or pajamas and slippers to keep children warm as the weather turns cold, but whatever I'm doing, I feel connected and supported. It's a great team effort. You can feel the kindness here!
Serving on the board of My Mother's Voice has been a life-changing experience. I have learned how to really understand how I can help my community by advocating for educational excellence and enrichment for our children in higher poverty schools. I have great confidence in the staff who run the organization which frees me to use my time to promote, educate, and advocate for involvement in My Mother's Voice. I am a big believer in the positive change that will occur through our youth, and I'm proud to be involved and part of that energy. I hope my review will encourage readers to join me in supporting the children, teachers, and families of My Mother's Voice.
Few charities check all the boxes. It's more like the flavor of the month with all the newest promotions to grab your attention. But My Mother's Voice has sustained my support and my growing interest in community improvement and prevention through their programming. The hard work that goes into making sure every child has all their needs met educationally as well as socially and physically is impressive. Literally, every child is important. I think I've seen photos of every kid in their programs and watched them grow through the years. Truthfully, I can't say enough good things about My Mother's Voice. Everyone should be so lucky as to have a charity that they can feel so proud of supporting throughout a lifetime.
For decades, I've supported various charities throughout the region and a few national and international causes as well. But what is important to me is the change that the mission causes and sustains. It wasn't until I found My Mother's Voice that I found the perfect match for my heart and my investment. I have seen the progress of their work and the prevention of tough issues in my own community. Their core programs in foundational education and the wraparound support that covers the basic needs are like a one-stop-shop. Whether a child needs grade level books, bi-lingual flashcards, or a jacket or shoes, the organization is prepared to make that happen. I would encourage anyone from philanthropists to one time donors, to consider supporting this very worthy nonprofit. I have found my match.
I'm a teacher in the greater Sacramento, California area. I've been teaching in the early primary grades for over 20 years. I've never experienced the level of support from a community nonprofit like I have with My Mother's Voice. They not only work with the children letting them choose new grade-level books every month, but they give them school supplies at the beginning of the year and several times throughout the year as well. The children love the stories they read aloud to them and then they give them something extra when they finish choosing their books. The volunteers of My Mother's Voice give them handmade blankets when it starts to turn cold and new pajamas, beanies, and gloves along with a tote to take home over the winter break that's filled with art supplies and more creative fun games. This organization also supports the teachers in every way. We've received books for our curriculum, equipment for our classrooms, supplies that otherwise would have to come out of our pockets or would have to be supplemented by the parents. Our school is low income so this would be a burden on our families and on the teaching staff, but My Mother's Voice has taken up this gap and enriched our ability to teach the way we should. They have even bought new classroom rugs, bi-lingual books, and art supplies. I can't say enough about the difference this has made to our school, our teaching staff, and our families. I hope the community understands how important it is to honor and support this wonderful nonprofit, My Mother's Voice.
I am a mom with four children, and I have been so blessed to have My Mother's Voice come into our lives. I am having my mentor translator write this for me because I am not fluent in English. This is another reason why I am so grateful for the help I receive. I have a mentor from my own country who understands me and who is there to help support me with what I should do to make a better life for my children. She is working with My Mother's Voice, and she is always kind to me and patient when I don't understand what to do. They have helped us with food when we didn't have enough to eat. Our heater doesn't work in our house, and they are trying to find a better place for us and give us clothes to keep the children warm. They are teaching me English and helping me to become an American. I hold them in my heart and will always be grateful.
This has been the most gratifying volunteer experience ever. No one takes a salary here, and everyone pitches in where their skillset matches the task. I can see the difference that I am making in children's lives and in my own community. I'm always proud of the work we do and love sharing my stories with other potential volunteers. We always feel welcomed!
I LOVE going into the classrooms and working with the littlest ones who are so excited about the books we bring to them every month! They love the story we read to start the day, and then they get to go over the the Little Engine That Could a choose a book of their very own -- a book to keep forever! The children are so very grateful, and my heart is filled with joy!
When I first met with my mentor from My Mother's Voice, I was confused, hopeless, and very depressed. I had tried to find help from my school, but what was offered was not what I needed. My counselor wasn't interested in what I was dealing with and the referrals she gave me were not helpful I would call and get voice mail and no one called me back. My own mom was struggling with staying sober and had problems with my younger brothers and sisters. I didn't know what to do and sometimes didn't want to try anymore. I was in deep trouble. Another student told me about MMV and I was able to talk to the woman who started the nonprofit that very afternoon. Right away I felt better. I could talk to her, and we made some plans from the first day. There are things that I have to do and goals I have to keep, but I am doing so much better. I know I will be able to continue with college and have a career. My daughter is safe and always has clothes and books. We are putting her in preschool soon and I feel so good about that. I will be giving her a better life and won't feel ashamed like I used to feel. Whether it's confusion about my classes, or needing food or diapers, or being able to get a haircut--anything--I know I can talk to my mentor and something will be worked out. I am so happy now because I know that someone really cares what happens to me. I can't thank My Mother's Voice enough for that. I hope more people support this good work that they do.
As a single teen mom who has had many interactions with government agencies, school services and nonprofits, I was hesitant when I first heard about My Mother's Voice. I have been struggling for so long that it was hard to believe that there was someone who would actually be able to care about making a real difference for me and my baby. It turned out to be a life-changing decision to meet with them. I have someone who knows me and doesn't forget me as one of the many. I am connected to an advocate who is there for me every time I need her. Sometimes it's real things like diapers or clothes or sometimes it's just someone who isn't judging me when I'm in a panic mode. I'm staying on track and learning how to be a good mom and role model for my little girl. I'm attending classes at the community college, and I am learning to avoid old patterns and be responsible. Thank you to everyone at My Mother's Voice for giving me a better life!
Volunteering with My Mother's Voice has given me so much more than I've been able to give. I have stopped gliding through life as if each day is a given. When I am able to work with a student who is so grateful for an hour of tutoring, some limited individual attention, I am more attentive to what is truly meaningful in a day. I am responsible for building life-long skills in a young person who has not had this opportunity before. There is tremendous joy is seeing the recognition in those young faces when I just show up. And when I am filling up "weekend packs" of food to send home so that they don't show up at school hungry on a Monday morning, I am completely grateful for the abundance I have had in my life. Working with this great team of staff and volunteers give me enormous hope and energy to keep spreading the word to others that we are making a difference.
Review from Guidestar
This energetic group brings such passion to their work with teen parents and their babies, and other single moms that it's easy to connect with their mission. They are very solution based, and they keep connected with every parent, baby, and child so that you can see the results. My Mother's Voice gives the necessities so that no baby or mom goes hungry or doesn't have a crib or bed, but they make sure that those being helped are making the changes necessary to be self-sufficient and productive. They mentor and keep student parents in school and on to college and work. It's a joyous effort that keeps the us feeling like family and wanting to give back to others as we all see the success.