More TMC Groups and Activities ...

With more than 900 member families, TMC is a busy organization. Learn about some of the many groups, committees and resources TMC offers its members below. Don't forget that TMC is an entirely volunteer-run organization! Consider lending your talents to TMC by visiting our Volunteer page.

Child Safety Hospitality Newborn Connection New Members Committee Playgroup Link-up

Preschool Fair Rhyme Time Shopping Night Support Groups TMC Cares

Child Safety

The Child Safety Committee was formed in Fall 2004 and is seeking volunteers. We provide safety programs to parents of young children and will start writing a safety column for the newsletter once we find enough members. The committee will run a child identification program (CHIP) each spring, as well as other safety-related events that may be of interest to TMC members.

Hospitality

The Mother Connection's Hospitality Committee provides comfort through the preparation and presentation of a home-cooked meal to TMC families experiencing life changes including but not limited to: newborn care, maternity medical complications, families in bereavement, family illness, and families new to the community.

TMC members interested in referring a TMC family for a meal, please the Hospitality Coordinator.

Newborn Connection

The Newborn Connection holds a special meeting several times a year to help match up mothers of newborns into playgroups. Attend a Newborn Connection meeting (watch your newsletter for details) and leave that same night as part of a new group of local moms with children the same age and a regular meeting date!

New Members Committee

The New Members Committee serves to welcome new members to the organization and to encourage potential members to join TMC. We provide welcome calls to each new member in order to make sure they have received their first newsletter and answer any questions they may have about TMC. We also hold two Membership Socials per year for members and their children to get to know each other, usually in October and April.

Playgroup Link-up

Playgroup Link-up helps mothers and children older than six months get matched to a playgroup with children of the same age (for newborns, we offer the Newborn Connection). Our link-up coordinator will take your information and then put you in touch with other moms and their children who are a match in age and location. For more information please .

Preschool Fair

The Mother Connection's Preschool Fair is held annually in November. Free and open to the community, Preschool Fair visitors have the opportunity to meet with area preschool representatives from over 30 preschools! Visitors also receive the complimentary Preschool Fair booklet, a comprehensive directory of participating schools.

Watch your newsletter for more information or .

Rhyme Time

Rhyme Time is TMC's monthly sing-a-long program for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Always a popular favorite, there is no cost to TMC members for this program.

Shopping Night

An annual favorite, TMC's Shopping Night is held just prior to the holiday rush, allowing members and friends to get together for a fabulous night of shopping. A popular venue for many local vendors, including many mom-made specialty items. For more information,

Support Groups

The Mother Connection's Support Groups help member moms get involved in groups that interest them -- and we offer many different kinds of groups! A scrapbooking club, knitting groups, several thriving book clubs, a food allergy support group and lots more!

TMC Cares

The objectives of The Mother Connection's TMC Cares Committee are to foster a life long commitment of social responsibility in our children and identify local non-profit agencies in need of charitable contributions. Each year we highlight a few agencies to focus our efforts on. We accomplish this by sharing their stories with TMC members and hosting drives to support these organizations. The emphasis at our events is to celebrate the amazing work that these agencies do, as well as share our appreciation with TMC members that give so generously, by providing exciting entertainment and family focused activities. (See our Donations page for ways YOU can make a contribution.)

For the past two years The Mother Connection members' generous donations have made a difference within our local communities by supporting the following organizations:

• Project Home Again received over 60 vanloads of household goods and furniture (the largest donation PHA has received in a one day drive from one organization!) to help provide area families with household necessities required to rebuild their lives with dignity.
• Lawrence YWCA received over 60 brand new backpacks with essential school supplies.
• Lawrence YWCA received 19 holiday gift bags and letters of inspiration for teen homeless mothers living in supported housing while trying to get back on their feet.
• SuitAbility received boxes filled with 85 pairs of shoes, 56 handbags and over 100 other accessories needed to help outfit women in transition who are interviewing and re-entering the job force.
• Head Start of Greater Lawrence (GLCAC) received over 12 cases of new and gently used children's books and puzzles enabling them to create a lending resource library for their teachers and families to use.

If you'd like to learn more about TMC Cares, or are interested in joining our team, please contact us at TMCcares@themotherconnection.org or Caren Fishman at 978.258.5008.

The best way to learn more about all the activities, adventures, parties and support groups that The Mother Connection offers is to JOIN! Membership is $29 a year and includes our huge newsletter packed with details on all the benefits available to members, plus membership to our online community, Big Tent.