Brush Stroke
December 2013        
    

What has 2013 meant to your family? For NAMC it has been an exciting year filled with growth and challenges, change and furthering our mission to support the work of mothers and caregivers. We look forward to 2014 with great anticipation of the plans ahead. First, we'll end the year reflecting on our accomplishments and how thankful we are for your support and participation in our programs. You and your family are the reason we exist.
 
Enjoy this edition of the NAMC eNews.

Happy Holidays!

Alison La Ferlita
Executive Director
516 939-MOMS X101

The National Association of Mothers' Centers (NAMC) provides programs that empower mothers, fathers and caregivers to find solutions that work for their families, their work lives and their personal lives.
Event
Add a Personal Touch to the Holidays This Year
Holiday Gift
The holidays are a time of magic, beauty and connecting on a deeper level with those we love. Commercialism can steal the magic that makes the holidays so special. But we can reclaim it by being intentional.

One way to reclaim what makes the holidays so special is to add your own personal creativity to celebrations and gift-giving. For example, one Mothers' Center family shared that they choose a Secret Santa for each family member and make a gift for that person. For them, it's the most exciting part of opening gifts, as everyone loves to see what the gift-giver made and how creative they got.

Here are some other wonderful ideas from Real Simple for adding your own special touch to your holiday gifts.
benefit NAMC Work/Life Conference Highlights
The 18th Annual NAMC Work/Life Conference offered a series of presentations and workshops designed to explore the: 
  • Elements of work/life success.
  • Benefits of an educated workforce.
  • Important options for caregivers.
You can see highlights from the conference in pictures and a summary of the day's events on the Mothers' Central blog.
MCspotlightMothers' Center in the Spotlight:
Mothers' Center of Fort Collins

Members of the Mothers' Center of Fort Collins have been busy planning events that serve the needs of their group and also those of their community.

In late September, Fort Collins members held their bi-annual "Kids Stuff Swap" for area families to exchange unwanted, gently used children's clothing, toys, etc. The event hopes to encourage keeping more kids' stuff flowing through the community - rather than ending up in attic boxes or landfills.

With the "swap" behind them, the group is now planning to draw crowds in for their annual Preschool and Kid's Activity Fair in February. Free and open to the public, this event offers information on local preschools, summer camps and other children's activities. Plus, the money earned through vendor participation acts as the groups' one yearly fundraiser!

Visit the Mothers' Center Group Resources tab in our website's Members Only section for further details on these successful events. Don't have a Mothers' Center near you? Learn more about starting a local Mothers' Center group by downloading our New Group Start-up Guide.
Please consider joining the NAMC as an individual member.  Read about the benefits by clicking here. Join today! 
 
Sincerely,
Alison La Ferlita
Executive Director
NAMC
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