Mother's Day may not be a happy day

Mother's Day, a day many mothers are made to feel special and appreciated and their children get the opportunity to spoil them.  Some may even get the day of 'reduced chores' and pampering.  It's also a day where we reflect on how rewarding and challenging the role of being a mother can be. 


Mother's Day is a day we may think of our own mothers and value the role they played in our lives.  For many it's a day of smiles, cuddles, breakfast in bed and sharing the day with family.


For many though Mother's Day is full of sadness.  A day that triggers pain due to grief and loss.  For those who have lost their mother its a day of memories and reflection.  There are many people who have also lost contact with their mother who may also feel this grief on Mother's Day.


Mother's Day will also be challenging for mothers who have lost a child.  The sad memories of crisis and loss will be triggered.  The thoughts of what they may look like today and how things may have been different if their child was not taken to early.


There are many woman who for what ever reason have not been able to have children.  Mother's Day can cause feeling of grief for these women too.  The intense want for children can be emotionally exhausting and Mother's Day may intensify these feelings.


Miscarriage can also be a cause for many women to experience grief and feelings of sadness on Mother's Day.  The feeling of grief may return and trigger the sadness experience after loss.  The thoughts of "what if".


There are so many scenario's as to why a mother will grieve on Mother's Day.


These feelings of sadness can be considered as normal process of grieving with the trigger of Mother's Day.  The feelings of grief, sadness, guilt, anger, loneliness, emptiness and blame can all  be described as a normal.  It's important to work through these feelings and take the time to give your thoughts to the mother, child or role that you are grieving.


If you believe your feelings of sadness continue for an extended period;  if you are unable to participate in day to day activities due to grief and sadness over a long period of time;  if your grief consumes your thoughts for an extended period you may wish to contact a professional who will be able to work with you to move through the intense feelings to a safe space.

It is OK to feel sad for something you wish you had.




My thoughts are with all mothers on this Mothers Day. ox
Jo Kosylo
www.supportformums.org.au

Easter Break

CONGRATULATIONS - to the receivers of gifts to celebrate International Women's Day

We have been overwhelmed with the response that was received to celebrate International Women's Day on our Facebook page.

It defiantly makes me feel inspired that there are so many women that have been recognised by their friends and family as being an incredible person.

We often forget to tell our loved ones how much we care and appreciate the work they do.
I thank everyone who nominating someone who they deserved to be recognised.

We have 4 lucky women

Rochelle Crow - Lucky winner of gift from Made with love Cards and Crafts

Lisa Jensen - Lucky winner of voucher from Bless this Mess

Renee Tomilison - lucky winner of tickets to Go Festival

Michelle Anne - Lucky winner of tickets to Go Festival


Ladies PLEASE make contact ASAP via Email admin@supportformums.org.au to receive your gifts.

CONGRATULATIONS LADIES

I wish I was able to provide everyone a gift who was recognised.  I do hope though that seeing your name nominated by a friend provided you with something special to remind you, that you are special.

A huge thank you to our sponsors.

It has been a long time waiting - we now have DGR

When I first had the thought of starting a Not for Profit many professionals (solicitors and accountants) advised me against it due to the endless amounts of paper work, government regulations and red tape.

I was passionate about starting Support for Mums as I knew there was a gap in our current system that needed filling. I had ifentified many families that were unable to access services as they did not 'fit' a criteria.

There have been MANY hurdles along the way.  SO much paper work and red tape.  They were right. It was not easy to set up a not for profit and passion needs to take priority.

Today we have bounced over another hurdle.  We have been approved as a Benevolent institution and been granted Deductible Gift Recipient Status by the ATO.

After many phone calls with ACNC (Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission )and ATO, much research, many meetings and many more late nights our persistence has paid off.

So what does this mean for us?

We can now apply for many grants that are available.
We can now approach business and trusts that require DGR status
We can now advertise that all donations made over $2 are tax deductible.

What does it mean for you?

Every time you donate to Support for mums and their Families, not only are you assisting us to support families in need by providing them with meals, fresh fruit and vegetables or home help you can also claim this donation on your tax.
If you have donated to Support for Mums previously you can still claim your donation.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us thus far and we look forward to working with you all in the future to help us support families in need.

Joanne Kosylo

A special 'thinking of you' over Christmas

Christmas is upon us and many of us are fortunate to be surround by family and friends eating far too much food and experiencing the amazing feeling of giving and receiving. 

I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.  I hope that you are able to spend time with family and forget the pressures of everyday life over the holidays.  

I hope that everyone with children has a great time over school break and the kids also enjoy some time away from routine and the words ‘PUT YOUR SHOES ON”……

I would also like to give a very special “thinking of you” to all families having a not so good time over this Christmas period.  Many families with children in hospital, many families with parents in hospital, many families grieving loved ones and many families missing loved ones.

 

Please if you get a spare minute please give your thoughts to these families too.

 

 

THANK YOU MOTHER JUMPERS and ABSEILERS

On the 30th November and for a few weeks after that, there where women jumping from the sky and abseiling down VERY large walls raising money and awareness for Support for Mums.

For more awesome pics and video's 'Like' the Face book page Mother Jumpers for Support for Mums

The organiser of this event, Alli Price AKA Motivating Mum had a brainwave in 2012 to help us raise funds to support families at the same time challenge and add excitement to the lives of many people willing to jump from a plane.   

I and the staff at Support for Mums are so very thankful to every person who has participated this year in Mother Jumpers 2013.  

Collectively you have raised an amazing $ 21, 347.00

This is a huge effort by everyone involved.  These funds will have a massive impact on many families in crisis who will be so grateful for your enthusiasm and risk taking.  

I really hope you all enjoyed your jump and ab sail and the adrenaline you experienced. 
Will we see you back again next year? Maybe you could get family and friends to participate next year. Hubbies, boyfriends, Uncles and Aunties.

A HUGE thank you to Alli for organising another very successful event. The money raised from Motherjumpers has enabled us to exist, grow and support so many families.  I will be forever grateful. 

THANK YOU

If you would like to make a donation in support of these incredible brave jumpers please visit the link below.

http://www.mycause.com.au/events/motherjumpers

A very special mention to the sponsors of the event.  

A major sponsor and a very supportive business to Support for Mums 
Vivacity Consulting.

Melbourne Mummu 

Gosh Creative

Button Baby

Thank you 
Joanne Kosylo  





   

Support for Mums Annual General Meeting 2013 - From the outgoing Chairperson

Last night saw the inaugural Annual General Meeting of Support for Mums and their families Inc.

Thank you to all who attended and for your ongoing support.

In my role as Chairperson of the Board of Management for Support for Mums over the last twelve months, I have seen some significant developments of and within the organisation. These include:

·       The employment of two Client Liaison Officers who deal with the day to day case management, referral and support of families who contact and/or are referred to Support for Mums

·       The employment of an Administration Assistant who not only manages the daily administration tasks, but has also taken great strides in the setting up of administration and other procedures, policies and systems

·       The employment of a Fundraising Manager and establishment of a Fundraising Sub-Committee to organise and oversee fundraising activities from within Support for Mums and within the broader community, to ensure the financial sustainability of the organisation and so that we may continue to provide the much needed support that we do

·       The formation of a Strategic Business Planning sub-committee, which has worked tirelessly on the overall organisational structure and identified key roles that required filling as a matter of urgency, as well as direction for the growth and development of the organisation.

Over the last twelve months, Support for Mums has supported over 100 families experiencing circumstantial crisis, providing telephone and practical support where required.

Although there is still a long way to go, the progress made over the last year is to be admired. The passion and dedication of the team behind Support for Mums have made this possible.

CEO, Joanne Kosylo is to be admired for her determination and the hours of energy and work she puts into Support for Mums. Without her dream, none of this would have happened and I thank her for allowing us to be a part of it.

The Board  of Management; Michelle (Secretary), Stacey (Treasurer), Mandy, Linda, and members who, sadly, had to leave for various reasons, Karen, Jodie and Emma, have been an incredible and inspiring team to work with, full of vivacity, ideas and just as much passion to see this dream not only come alive, but to thrive.

I thank them for their support of me, personally, in my role as Chairperson, and also for their dedication to Support for Mums.

Nicole and Eryka, our Client Liaison Officers, have done an amazing job with the support they have provided families. They are what the organisation is about and are in invaluable part of our team.

As is Kirsty, who has done wonders with the administration side of the organisation and whom without we would likely be floundering in a sea of paperwork and emails.

On behalf of the Board of Management, I extend my thanks to those within the community who have supported us over the last year.

Fiona of Business with Vivacity for her talent, knowledge, time and much more in assisting us with the organisational structure and direction for Support for Mums. Her patience and knowledge is a blessing and greatly appreciated.

Alli of Motivating Mum and her Mother Jumpers initiative, Eryka and her events and awareness raising on the Mornington Peninsula, Susan of Go Festival, local MP, Natalie Hutchinson for her ongoing support and the countless others who have organised events,  raised funds, donated funds or time, or simply shared their story or told others about Support for Mums.

I think the organisation should be proud of all it has achieved and it is with sadness that I must step down from my position of Chairperson of the Board of Management. I know the role is more than capable hands with the newly appointed Linda Bradfield.

Despite my sadness, I am extremely excited to be able to dedicate my time and energy to my roles as Fundraising Coordinator and heading the Fundraising sub-committee and my position within the Strategic Business Planning sub-committee.

I very much look forward to my continued involvement with Support for Mums and to working with the amazing team behind the organisation.

We also welcome aboard new board member, Katrina, and extend the invitation to others within the community to become a valued member of the team behind Support for Mums.

Expressions of interest for new Board Members are now open. Please email admin@supportformums.org.au to express your interest and for further information.

Again, thank you to all who have supported me over the last twelve months. It is greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Amanda Cox