The Misfit Mamas Inc. is dedicated to bringing back the village community back to life for families her in Connecticut. We believe that human connection is our human right. We have witnessed firsthand over the last year how something so simple can make such a drastic impact on the mental health crisis, especially after the upheaval of COVID-19. Humans are not meant to be isolated and alone; connection is what helps us thrive. We were founded in April of 2024, as what started as a small Facebook group. Over the least nearly 2 years, we have grown to nearly 7 thousand members in our state, and have turned into a non-profit with the hopes of making a positive impact for families for generations to come. At this time we are run entirely through volunteer efforts, working out of our homes, and partnering with local establishments throughout our state that have the same mission to bring community. Over the last year we have been able to offer numerous free weekly in-person meet-ups, as well as virtual support groups for families to find connection, and hosted dozens of special events for parents to get out and have some fun while making genuine connections and helping us grow our mission. In the last 18 months, we have had nearly 7,000 families find our private community, and learn about what we do, many of them joining us for a virtual or in-person opportunity to find connection and support. Through the help of our nearly 40 volunteers, we have been able to offer numerous weekly and special event opportunities, many of which have become so popular we have had to start asking partnered establishments what their capacity limit is, so that we could set registration limits accordingly. We also have been able to establish a special Needs program that provides support groups, and monthly special needs center events for families navigating individual disabilities and special needs can attend without worry. Our Special needs program also works hard to find adaptive ways to enjoy our main weekly and special events as well. We also have our community care collective program that assists families with custom care packages of essential items such as clothing, diapers, wipes food, toiletries and other basic essentials. This last year they have helped nearly 200 families with care packages or resources available to them in their area, Over the next 60- 90 days we will also be rolling out our new services such as our Misfit Baby Sitters & Nannies, available to serve families throughout Connecticut. All of which will be background checked, CPR, & First Aid certified, as well as continuing their educational opportunities through mentorship and workshops we host. In 2024, we hope to be able to establish a home-school co-op where our home school families could come together and learn and explore together while socialising. We have noticed a big increase in members sharing their current homeschool journey, or their hopes to peruse the home school path for their own individual families needs. We believe home school can be a fantastic way for children to learn and thrive outside of the traditional public school setting, and our co-op will allow them to still get that social aspect all children deserve. Recently, The Misfit Mamas Inc. has been exploring the opportunity to open a Misfit Family Center on a 32.75 acre property here in Southington, Connecticut on the Mt. Vernon campus that is for sale. This campus was originally built in the 1960s as a women's secretarial school, back when they were few and far between. It. has since sat vacant and abounded the last several years. We hope to be able to gain the finical support to bring this property back to life and in a way, full circle again. It has 7 buildings it currently to fit exactly what we hope to achieve in changing the narrative for families. One with affordability and acceiblity no matter what personal hurtles a family may be facing. With free community areas to study, connect, or play, a drop in day care, Misfit Professionals such as therapists, social workers, lactation, after school and summer programs, and so much more, This property also has 98 dorms that are set up as small apartments, with living rooms and small kitchens. Currently, our state is lacking in affordable housing options, and we would start a Misfit Mamas Transitional Family Housing Program with these spaces. We would offer families the opportunity for a 6-month transitional housing period at a severely discounted rental rate. Over the course of those 6 months in our program, they would work alongside a designated case worker to follow their individual care plans which could include classes, support groups, career opportunities, assistance applications, budgeting, and more. Our team will ensure that every single family that enters our program is set up with the tools and resources they need to level up and build the best lives for themselves and their families. This program would be accessible for families with children aged 18 or younger, or any young adults transitioning out of the foster care system with no support. At The Misfit Mamas Inc. we have already moved mountains over the past year on our journey to bring that village back for families. We can only hope to continue to grow and fill the needs we are seeing for families everywhere through our continued efforts to bring community, opportunities, and assistance when we can to families in our state. We know The Misfit Mamas Family Center would allow us to continue to do that and so much more. We have recently been working hard and meeting with some amazing individuals to help us figure out the various options we have to make this all possible. We are currently trying to raise $500,00 to be able to move forward and secure the property, make any needed renovations and repairs, and establish paid job opportunities for when it opens. Would you consider making a monetary donation to help us achieve our mission? Visit our website to learn more! The Misfit Mamas Inc.
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