The HANCOCK COUNTY CHILDREN’S COUNCIL has openings in their mutual self help support group for single mothers who meet on Wednesdays from 6:00 to 7:30pm at Downeast Health Services Inc., 52 Christian Ridge Road, Ellsworth, Maine.  Childcare will be provided on-site with advance reservation.  All members must complete a general information form and participate in a telephone screening prior to the series.  Once members have been selected, there will be a preliminary get acquainted session, designed to prepare the participants for a productive group experience.  To register for this series, contact Kristina Meredith at 667-5304 ext. 235.

Single mothers experience numerous, overwhelming challenges everyday.  Many mothers face the fears and frustrations of raising their children on their own in isolation.  This sense of aloneness increases their stress and anxiety which may negatively impact the family.  A support group for single mothers can provide the opportunity to lessen this sense of isolation by sharing common problems, offering support, and exchanging information and resources.

The group will be a place for self exploration, mutual support, and sharing of ideas, feelings and resources.  Participants will be invited to look at the challenges they are facing, and what they need in order to become more effective parents.  The members will decide when to share personal issues and how much to share.  Each member will be encouraged to develop their own personal goals.

Parents involved in such groups say they:   “Feel more supported as parents,” “Have better relationships with their children”, “Feel like they can handle stress and anger better”, “Feel safe in know that they can be honest about the struggles they face because meetings are confidential”, and “Are able to see beyond themselves and see another perspective”.

The group’s facilitator, Kristina Meredith, has worked in the human service field for over twenty-five years. She has taught both children and adults, and facilitated many different groups. Most recently, in addition to developing a support group for single mothers, she has led groups on stress management and non violent communication. Kristina is the single mother of two daughters.

Please contact the Hancock County Children’s Council to learn about other parenting classes and workshops available in your community or visit our Parent Resource Library at 52 Christian Ridge Road, Ellsworth.  You may visit our website at www.downeasthealth.org for additional information on child development and family educational resources available or contact Candy Eaton at 667-5304 ext. 261 or email children@downeasthealth.org.