Community support for mothers facing hardships has taken on new forms recently, with initiatives aiming to provide help during challenging times. One notable case is the Saskatoon-based Reclaim Maternity Baby Kids clothing store, which announced last week it might close its doors. Owner Janel Edwards revealed the store is dealing with rising costs, impacting its viability.
“Most, especially retail, sees a drop of about 10 to 20 per cent in January and a 10 to 20 per cent drop for us compared to where we are this December would mean complete skeleton crew for like six months,” Edwards explained, expressing her concern for the future of her staff and the community service her store provides.
Reclaim Maternity isn’t just any retail outlet; it has become a safe haven for local parents. “While we know this shop is desperately needed by our city and community, the mental health and financial future of our staff and their families is at the top of our priority list,” the shop said in a heartfelt statement made on social media. The store not only sells new and used maternity and baby clothes, but it also hosts free parent meet-up groups and offers donation bins for parenting essentials.
Regular customer Jolene Prosser highlighted the importance of Reclaim, stating, “I’m one of hundreds of moms who are really invested in helping in any way we can.” This reflects the broader community sentiment; many recognize Reclaim's role as more than just financial—it’s about emotional and social support during tough times.
Meanwhile, another initiative is making waves across Lake Charles, Louisiana, under the banner of ‘Give to the Next Mommy’. This Facebook group, started by Maygan Trahan just one year ago, is dedicated to helping mothers fulfill their children’s Christmas wish lists. The group currently boasts over 4,000 mothers collaborating to make sure every child gets something special during this holiday season.
“What made me start it is seeing a lot of people being denied for certain programs and having nothing. So when we started it’s just like we didn’t know how else to help these kids but to give what we can,” Trahan recounted, explaining her motivation for creating the group.
Through this grassroots effort, mothers can share specifics about their child's wishes, potentially receiving help from Secret Santa donors who grant these wishes. Trahan reflected on the impact the initiative has had, saying, “It’s incredible how helpful it’s been for people. Sometimes like this honestly has been most of the people who’ve been on the list as their only means for Christmas.” Children who might otherwise have gone without gifts will instead find joy and surprise on Christmas morning, thanks to this collective kindness.
Accompanying the effort is friend Amber Hamilton, who helped Trahan start the group. Hamilton aptly summed up the dire situation many face today: “Life is hard. Times are tough. Prices are going up. Things are hard to afford, especially with a family with kids.” This stark reminder of the realities of raising children today resonates deeply with many families who find themselves financially strained.
This year, the ‘Give to the Next Mommy’ group has already supported over 150 families during the holiday season, with hopes of reaching even more before Christmas Day. The group is also giving away 17 Christmas trees to families in need, enhancing their capacity to bring cheer during the holidays.
Both Reclaim Maternity and ‘Give to the Next Mommy’ exemplify the spirit of community support during challenging times. These initiatives not only provide material support, but they also create strong networks of care and solidarity among mothers. Whether it’s through saving jobs at Reclaim or fulfilling Christmas wishes through online giving, each effort showcases the powerful role community can play when families face financial hardships.
