Moms Helping Moms: MESH moms Builds Connection and Community By Traci Sanders Ask any mom about the challenges of motherhood, and you’ll hear words like sleep deprivation, stress management, keeping the kids entertained, and more. But one thing that nearly every mom goes through but rarely talks about—whether out of guilt or the fear of being judged—is the feeling of isolation. Being home with little humans who demand your time, attention, and energy daily can be physically and mentally taxing. However, many moms worry they will appear ungrateful, selfish, or weak if they mention needing help or needing more human interaction than what their children provide. A new organization serving the greater Atlanta area aims to address this challenge and build a supportive community for new mothers. MESH moms is an independent, secular, in-person group for mothers that launched in July 2023 to connect and empower women during pregnancy and the duration of the early childhood years. One of their primary goals is to help moms put all those fears, insecurities, and struggles to rest. The group was founded by two friends, Martina Stellmaszek and Juliana Caspari, who are moms of seven children combined. They’re dedicated to combating the isolation and overwhelm that many new moms experience. “Motherhood is challenging enough; no one should have to go through it alone,” Juliana shared. Both women are former executives who decided to use their corporate skills and advanced business degrees to create this entrepreneurial venture to help local moms. “We wanted to provide a safe in-person space, as well as online, where moms could connect, share experiences, and receive guidance,” Juliana explained. The club is open to and aims to provide a friendly, welcoming environment for mothers from all backgrounds and parenting styles. MESH moms organizes playgroups based on children’s ages and developmental stages. Workshops on breastfeeding, sleep training, potty training, and postpartum mental health are also offered. Resources such as cooking classes are already on the calendar for next year. “We believe that by coming together,” Juliana added, “we can create a powerful network that helps women navigate the challenges of motherhood and build lasting friendships along the way.” Some of the regular meet-up activities include stroller walks, baby hangouts at the park, mobile baby playground meet-ups, luncheons, moms’ nights out, and more. Some are scheduled weekly, and others occur monthly. Seasonal events such as outings to pumpkin patches, annual holiday parties, and kids’ carnivals are also on the calendar. Since the group is in its infancy and looking to grow, the founders are offering membership for just $1 per month to the first 100 members. The second 100 members will receive a 50% discount, and the third 100 members will receive a 25% discount. MESH moms is open to pregnant, foster, or adoptive moms, whether they work or stay home. The online portal even offers a resource to assist moms in acquiring quality child care and gently used baby gear for those in need. A members-only private chat is available for moms to feel safe asking sensitive questions, though no medical advice is administered. Whether you’re about to embark on your motherhood journey, in the early stages, or in the trenches with the toddler years, MESH moms has a place for you. More information at www.meshmoms.com
October 2023 Our Town Gwinnett
Partnering Up with the Snellville Police Department By Kristen Eleveld “We want you to know we’re on your side.” This is what Snellville Police Chief Greg Perry said when asked what message he wanted to send to the Snellville community. Chief Perry, along with his team of officers, has worked tirelessly over the past two years to let the people of Snellville know that the police are not just concerned with safety alone – they want to partner with each citizen of Snellville to create a community that knows it can trust and rely on its officers in every way. That’s why Chief Perry has not stopped taking opportunities to not only reassure the community, but to back up his words with actions all year long. If you live in Snellville, you already know that the Snellville Police Department prioritizes being an active part of its community, participating in many local events, and inviting residents to learn more about the police department. One favorite event for both the department and the neighborhoods it serves is the Faith & Blue weekend, in which the Snellville Police will partner with local churches and enjoy a barbecue with anyone who wants to take part. The details for this fall event are still in the works, so just keep an eye on the Snellville Police Department Facebook and Instagram accounts to stay up to date! For the kids in the area, the most anticipated event would likely be Halloween. Aside from the usual joys of dressing up and eating your favorite candy, Chief Perry and his team make the holiday even better by handing out candy to kids in neighborhoods all over the city. “Giving out candy at Halloween is important to us for two reasons,” said Chief Perry. “One, we love to interact with our community and help the kids enjoy their Halloween. And we also want kids to get to know us and to know that what we want more than anything is for them to be safe.” Chief Perry and the Snellville Police Department operate on three core tenets: 1) Consistently seek out criminals and others that endanger our community members. This saves lives. 2) Everyone is a leader. Work each day to improve yourself and your team. This creates success and safety. 3) Seek out opportunities to help our community. This builds solid relationships and trust. With these tenets in mind, the Snellville Police Department has sought to deepen the relationship with its community through one of its most significant resources: education. Community members are invited to join the Citizens Police Academy, a nine-week course that gives participants a chance to learn more about the role of police officers and the challenges facing their community. Firearm safety, motor vehicle traffic enforcement, and DUI investigations are only a few of the topics covered by this course. Once you graduate, you become part of the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, which works with the community to raise donations and resources that allow the Snellville Police to continue giving back. At Christmastime, you will likely run into an officer or two shopping at the local Wal-Mart with a child. This is Snellville PD’s “Shop with a Cop” program, which uses donations from the community to fund shopping trips for children in need during the holidays. Officers volunteer to shop with children who have been identified as someone who could benContinued on page 23
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