Being a pregnant, new or single mom can be stressful, lonely and scary. It’s especially challenging if you don’t have a strong support system to help you adjust emotionally, physically and financially. The winter makes it even harder for new moms who are struggling to make ends meet, having to choose between paying the heating bill or putting food on the table.
For the past year, people throughout our community have been writing Letters of Love – providing encouragement to moms going through stressful times – that we then hand deliver to a mom in need of support.
In recognition of Valentine’s Day, St. Louis rallied to make sure moms felt appreciated and supported:
- 40 people mailed a handwritten letter to FLOURISH to be distributed to a mom.
- 15 people submitted a letter through FLOURISH’s website.
- 44 shoppers wrote a letter at Microsoft’s Letters of Love writing event at the Galleria on February 10.
Together, we have reached a total of 1,012 Letters of Love over the past year!
But there are many more moms who could use words of encouragement. There are two ways you can help support the Letters of Love program any time of year:
Here are some ideas for writing a letter:
- Your letter can be short or long, as long as it’s from the heart.
- Encouragement is the key here. Moms don’t need long lists of advice. They simply need to know that someone in St. Louis is rooting for them.
- Remember, all moms – no matter their age, income level or life circumstances – want the best for their children.
- If you’re a mom, feel free to share personal experiences with pregnancy or parenthood. Did you overcome postpartum depression? Are you a single mom? Sharing a personal story of strength is a great way to inspire someone else.
- Sign your letter with just your first name. Recipients of the letters won’t know anything else about you.