Mothers Helping Mothers Receives Grant from Sudakoff Foundation

May 31, 2024 | Sarasota

The Harry Sudakoff Foundation has awarded Mothers Helping Mothers (MHM) $20,000 in grant funding for an ADA compliant elevator to reach classrooms. The second floor is where educational classes are held.

The use of stairs is currently challenging to “clients” with physical disabilities as well as pregnant mothers with other young children. The families MHM serves are generally in their situations of need due to lack of education, understanding and resources. MHM developed their vital classroom programs launched in 2021 to help stabilize the underserved in this community.

For over 30 years, Mothers Helping Mothers has been supporting local families in need by fostering resiliency, self-sufficiency, and family stability. Mothers Helping Mothers is a volunteer only staff providing programs and services to over 2,500 families and 5,000 children annually.

“This elevator is going to bring so many more options to what MHM can do onsite. For example, we partner with Easter Seals weekly.  The children who come here to help as part of their occupational therapy can now safely reach the upstairs sorting room. Additionally, our mothers with newborns attending our educational and advancement classes who have to manage their strollers and baby seats will no longer have to risk falling when using stairs,” states Cheri DeVries, Executive Director at Mothers Helping Mothers. She adds, “We are so thankful for the Harry Sudakoff Foundation which will help us achieve our goal.”

The 14 different classes provide in the MHM education space offer parents and families a range of opportunities, including access to wage-earning jobs, enhanced parenting skills, prenatal education and guidance, budgeting for financial stability, and support for trauma. MHM classes can accommodate up to 30 students per class serving between 100-600 people per month.