Local Moms Who Make A Difference

First of all, let me be clear that as moms, we ALL make a huge difference everyday. Without us, who would do laundry, clean the house, pick up kids or make sure homework is done correctly.  Many of us have help from partners, house keepers, friends and nannies, but we all know that mommies are the ones that make sure that it all happens.  We should be proud, we are the ones who run the PTAs, make cookies for the bake sale and buy the gifts for donating.  Our typical "mom" work makes an impact on many besides our children.

I have a great job helping local non-profits raise the resources (money/volunteers) they need so they can do the important work to make our community a better place.  Thus I have loads to say on today’s topic.  But rather than highlighting agencies and groups, I wanted to pay homage to a few working mommies that lead local agencies, not only do they make sure homeless people have shelter, seniors have meals and youth learn positive life skills, they also come home and make sure their little ones are loved and cared for and have clean clothes.  Thank you for being mommies to our entire community!  This list is no way exhaustive, but these were a few of my favorite local organizations and mommies. 

Michelle Lew: Asian Americans for Community Involvement
A brand new mommy from Menlo Park, Michele is a force who leads the largest human services agency serving predominantly Asian Americans in Silicon Valley. AACI serves over 9000 seniors, youth, new immigrants and women who are domestic violence survivors, annually. She has been a tireless community advocate for years and is a role model for many young Asian Pacific Islander youth and adults - who wish we had that much energy and brilliance.

Christa Gannon: Fresh Lifelines for Youth
This Stanford Law graduate designed FLY with teens in juvenile hall in 1997.  Together they created a program that taught at-risk teens about at-risk youth about the law and consequences of crime, while building important life skills such as empathy, problem solving, and anger management. They also matched disadvantaged teens with mentors and started a leadership program.  This mommy of two, and mentor to the over 10,000 kids who have come through her doors, is a true dynamo!

Mary Lynn Fitton: Art of Yoga Project
Some of you many have taken her yoga class at the Yoga Source in Palo Alto, but did you know this beautiful mommy of two also founded an agency that teaches girls in juvenile hall about mediation and art.  Her team teaches girls how to breath deeply and center themselves, so that they can make good decisions.  They use art therapy to help troubled girls work through their issues of self-doubt, negative body image, sexual abuse and domestic violence.  Their work in San Mateo has transformed the girls' hall, where you can find former gang members in various yoga poses in small groups on their own during the day.  Om!

Jennifer Loving: EHC LifeBuilders
For the past 27 years, EHC LifeBuilders has been the leading provider of shelter, housing opportunities, and supportive services to people in crisis and those experiencing homelessness in Silicon Valley.  This fabulous mom of two has her hands full as winter has arrived and the weather is dipping, meaning more people need warm beds. Brrr... EHC just opened two new cold weather shelters in Gilroy and Sunnyvale to support an additional 250 people.  Her commitment to providing innovative solutions has garnered her several awards and the admiration of many - me included!