Moms Helping Moms

Charlene Hallett is a mom with a mission.

“The Salvation Army helped me see what normal, healthy parenting was like,” says Charlene. “Now I’m passing my knowledge on to others.”

Growing up, Charlene didn’t often hear words of encouragement or sympathy in her home. When Charlene started a family of her own, she was eager to play an important part in her children’s life and be a strong role model.

“At the time I didn’t know a lot of people with babies,” says Charlene. “I had a lot of questions about being a parent and needed help navigating through information. That can sometimes feel overwhelming. I wanted to be the best person for my children that I could be.”

Empowering personal capacity

When her firstborn was 18 months old, Charlene tagged along with her sister to The Salvation Army’s  Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centre (formerly called the Multicultural Family Centre) in Winnipeg.

“The Centre’s Family Foundations class was a life-changing source of guidance for me,” says Charlene. “Every week I was inspired, motivated and reassured.”

Family Foundations is a weekly program for expecting parents and those with infants. Parents receive assistance and support with matters concerning fetal and infant development, body image, nutrition, parenting, immunization and more.

It wasn’t long before Charlene made friendships with staff and other people who were in a similar situation as her.

“When I needed it most I was able to expand my social circle and create a network of support,” says Charlene. “Everyone needs people to talk to who understand them.”

Over the next several years, and with the birth of two more children, Charlene attended parenting classes, social events, playtimes and more. The support was invaluable.

Paying it forward

In 2012, Flo, the Family Life Coordinator at the Centre, called Charlene to see if she was interested in applying to be the outreach worker for Family Foundations.

“I was taken aback,” says Charlene. “Working outside the home wasn’t on my radar.”

A day later, Charlene called Flo and jumped in with both feet.

“The Salvation Army helped fill my parenting toolbox for six years and I had a deep desire to share with other mothers what I had learned,” says Charlene.

Every week Charlene walks alongside moms who are drowning in diapers and buried under building blocks. Activities such as guest speakers, open discussion and outings are empowering moms as individuals, making them even better role models to their children.

“There is nowhere better to get advice and support for those tricky questions and no better community to share the joys and challenges of motherhood than with other mothers,” says Charlene.

“I’m just one ordinary mom trying to make a positive difference.”