ELLSWORTH — It’s getting more expensive to raise a family, and one Northern Michigan nonprofit wants to make sure no family goes without.
Moms & Tots is a resource center in Ellsworth focused on helping mothers in need and their children with needs like diapers and wipes, information and support. They’ve been around since the early 2000s and said they’ve given out more than 100,000 diapers and served hundreds of families.
“Rent is expensive. Daycare is really expensive. Being a single parent is difficult. So, this way we can provide those really essential resources and also just that support to know that they’re not in this alone, that we are there together,” said director Gayle Kroon.
Kroon said mothers, fathers and caregivers are all welcome to take part in their services. One of those moms is Heidi, who came to Northern Michigan with her children and what she could fit in a suitcase. She said Moms & Tots has given her the necessities and community she needed.
“I was able to get a crib for my daughter, outside play toys, everything down to soap and socks. Anything big or anything small matters and it all helps,” said Heidi. “It’s just a place that you can always come if you’re having a good day or a bad day. And you know they’re going to be here.”
Through the center’s “Earn While You Learn” program, parents are able to work toward bigger items like a crib or a stroller for their little ones while learning different topics on parenting.
“I watched one about sign language,” said Heidi. “[It] was really fun. I watched a video about emotions and also being a more present parent. So that is fun as well.”
There are also educational opportunities for the little ones.
“One of the things that we just had happen this year is we put in a learning playground,” said Kroon. “[It has] teaching signs that we can encourage kids, ‘Let’s find all the red things in here. Let’s see what words start with B that are in here.’”
For Kroon, helping parents and guardians in need is a labor of love. She said this past year, they served more than 150 clients from seven counties.