MoverMoms

Dozens of magazines are scattered across the table in the kitchen of the Wilkins Avenue Women’s Assessment Center in Rockville, Maryland. Four white refrigerators, each with a lock and label, line one wall; a colorful mural in bright orange and blue adorns another; a mobile dentist's van is parked outside. Fourteen homeless women, of varied ages and nationalities, flip through the magazines as they discuss the latest happenings. The discussions are far-ranging, from federal taxes to abortion rights to the recent Oklahoma tornado. Some sit quietly, enjoying their cupcakes and milk.We’re gathered for the latest session of “Cupcakes and Current Events”, a program that engages homeless women in discussions about social and political topics. The program was developed by MoverMoms, a non-profit organization that makes it easy for busy moms and families to take part in community service.I first met Rebecca Kahlenberg, the group’s founder and Executive Director, seven years ago, soon after we moved to the Washington DC area. A friend put us in touch, given our mutual interest in writing, and we went for a walk along the C&O canal not far from our homes in Bethesda, Maryland and, as she shared her story and her ideas for MoverMoms, her energy and enthusiasm were palpable and easily contagious.In the past seven years, MoverMoms has grown a group of moms ‘having fun with a purpose’ to an award winning, nationally recognized NGO of over 200 members striving to make a difference in the lives of society’s most vulnerable. I volunteered to organize a MoverMoms book club to read inspiring books about people making a difference, and educational outings to broaden our understanding of various faiths, cultures and issues. One of the first cultural outings was interfaith iftar at a synagogue - an extremely moving experience to break fast with people of various faiths, in a synagogue, all gathered with the common purpose of giving thanks and doing good.MoverMoms conducts more than 50 activities each year, from cooking and serving dinners at shelters, to baking muffins for homeless men and women on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, to mentoring inmates at the county jail. It holds collection drives for much needed supplies, and raises funds for natural disasters or other tragedies. After the earthquake in Haiti, for example, we collected more than 11,000 bars of soap and partnered with a relief organization to transport them to remote areas of Haiti to help protect against cholera. Last month, we raised hundreds of dollars for the families impacted by the Bangladesh garment factory collapse and the Oklahoma tornadoes.At a time when we seem to be getting more disconnected from one another through technology distractions and overscheduled calendars, MoverMoms helps recalibrate our priorities and build a sense of community. This feels especially important as I look for ways to raise our children with values that focus on gratitude and giving back in a culture steeped in consumerism and materialism.MoverMoms involves children in a number of the projects, in the hope that service will become as routine for them as soccer practice and piano lessons. Besides collecting and shipping candy to soldiers overseas for the “Treats4Troops”, children are encouraged to join the MoverMoms' annual service trip to El Salvador. There they can volunteer at an elementary school and a maternity center. Children share their talents - making arts and crafts, playing soccer and basketball and teaching dance - with children in a small village near the Honduran border. My son, nine at the time, was nervous at first, not knowing how he would be able to contribute. He decided to make paper airplanes and soon had dozens of boys and girls surrounding him eager to learn. He quickly realized just how far a 'si' and a smile could go.MoverMoms recently organized its first Inspiration Day, where we invited speakers to share their stories and life lessons. One spoke of her battle with breast cancer and how she used it as an opportunity to adopt a raw food diet and to introduce the concept in her restaurant business. Another talked about building bridges between Muslim and Jewish women through the common goal of healthful eating and weight loss. And a third shared her life journey growing up Muslim in the US and her realization of the commonalities we all share if we can just look beyond bias and stereotypes. We all left feeling inspired, grateful and connected.To share a small dose of inspiration on a regular basis, we send out a story, video, quote, or work of art to our members each week; this affords us the opportunity to pause from the rush of our daily lives and feel recharged through the inspiration of others.But it’s the inspiration that comes from the personal interactions during our projects that motivates me the most, and makes me so grateful to be a part of this group. Whether its sharing a meal with a homeless man at a shelter for recovering addicts and hearing his commitment to to turn his life around, or taking a walk with a homeless woman, listening to her stories and seeing photos of her grandchildren, eager to be reunited; or helping a teen in prison make a fresh start at a better life, having learned life's lessons the hard way. This is the inspirational work of MoverMoms.MoverMoms.pdf