FOUNDER'S
STATEMENT
The Chelmsford
Mothers' Club: Our
Philosophy
FOUN
The Chelmsford
Mothers’ club was
founded to satisfy
needs of young
families. We feel
strongly that
mothers benefit from
positive outlets
that help ease
transitions faced
while raising
infants and young
children. We
recognize that there
is a need for a
support network that
provides a means for
mothers to share
their experiences,
socialize, find
companionship,
receive and exchange
information about
parenting and child
development; and
provide an outlet
for personal growth.
Many mothers agree
that the first few
years of motherhood
can be fulfilling
yet isolating,
exciting yet
repetitive and
rewarding yet
stressful. Some may
lose touch with old
friends or with
activities once
cherished. During
this period, mothers
experience a
substantial change.
To help ease the
transitions of
motherhood, the
Chelmsford Mothers’
Club provides
outlets for our
member’s energies
and talents. We
encourage social
interaction through
various facets and
activities. There
are many ways one
can get involved,
utilize their
creativity and feel
productive while
making the lives of
our next generation
better.
Our club philosophy
comes from both our
personal views and
from the Mothers
Club Handbook by
Katie Williams
Hoepke. The
Mothers’ Club is
first and foremost a
community. It is a
community of young
families, sharing
common interests and
goals. It is
important, that each
member who joins the
club feels
comfortable with
this ideal and
recognizes that the
club is a
cooperative effort.
In order for the
club to be
successful, it
requires member
involvement. With
member commitment,
the Chelmsford
Mothers’ Club has
the ability to help
members build a
happier, healthier
and better future
for themselves and
their families.
“Not only does the
club provide the
opportunity for
personal expression,
it holds your hand
while you’re doing
it. Imagine 40-50
women in a huddle,
arms entwined,
strengthening each
other. It’s one of
the first feelings
manifested in the
club, ‘I’m not
alone’. To engender
that feeling, the
philosophy of the
club must be
inclusive. It must
allow space for each
individual to
discover for herself
what the club can
offer her and what
she can contribute
to the club. We
don’t think the club
will thrive if women
are expected to fit
into a narrowly
defined role as
member. In our club
we say ‘Take from
the club what you
need and put back
what you can.’ We
don’t make rules for
attendance or
minimal duties
required for
membership. We
believe that with
encouragement and
choice, each woman
will be nurtured by
what the Mothers’
Club has to offer.
Especially in the
beginning, women
will need to find
that the club is a
safe place. A place
where members won’t
be judged or
compared, but
encouraged to
participate at
whatever level they
choose for
themselves.”
It is our hope that
you find the
Chelmsford Mothers’
Club a nurturing
environment where
your ideas,
suggestions and
participation are
encouraged while
your desire to
remain active,
connected and well
informed is
satisfied.
Sincerely,
Debra Dellanina-Alvarez
and Lisa Horan-Sockol
Club founders-
October 1996
Footnotes: Katie
Williams Hoepke,
Mothers Club, Ark
Press 1989, pp12-15
| 
