First Mondays are for Mentoring.
“THEY SEE IN ME WHAT I COULDN’T SEE IN MYSELF. . . “
“THEY ARE THERE FOR ME LIKE THE FAMILY I NEVER HAD AND LOVE ME UNCONDITIONALLY.”
“THEY HELPED ME BELIEVE IN MYSELF AND BELIEVE THAT TOGETHER, WE CAN HELP OTHER WOMEN AND ENCOURAGE AND EMPOWER THEM.”
Mother Matters Mentoring Circles
At the heart of Erie City Moms are our 100% free Mother Matters Mentoring Circles.
Held on the first Monday of every month at the Boys and Girls Club of Erie, these gatherings take place in one of the city’s most disinvested neighborhoods and provide a reliable, welcoming space where Mothers can experience connection, learning, encouragement, and restoration.
More than 200 diverse Mother Figures, children, and volunteers participate each month. Together, they create a socially, culturally, and generationally diverse environment grounded in dignity, belonging, and hope.
Each Mother Matters Mentoring Circle includes:
A shared meal
Free childcare
Transportation assistance
Guided programming led by local experts and trusted community partners
Practical resources and essential items for Mothers and children
Stories of hope, healing, resilience, and lived experience
Programming covers both practical life skills and deeply personal topics. Mothers may learn about financial literacy, navigating community systems, healthy relationships, workplace readiness, boundaries, self-worth, healing from trauma, or spiritual strength.
Every Circle also includes a story of hope and resilience, reminding participants that lived experience has value and that Mothers can become powerful sources of wisdom and leadership for one another.
By consistently providing food, transportation, and free programming, Erie City Moms removes common barriers that prevent Mothers from accessing healthy community and personal or professional growth opportunities.
Child care is also free at Mother Matters Mentoring Circles and every program includes a kid-friendly dinner, age-appropriate educational activities, and loving care. Emily Wachter and her early intervention specialists and ExpERIEnce Children's Museum educators join our gifted volunteers to foster the development and imaginations of our pre-k and elementary-age kids. Our middle and high school youth gather with loving adults for gym time, dinner, and much-needed trust-based conversations with Youth for Christ.
These supports make it possible for Mothers to keep showing up, build trusting relationships, and remain engaged over time.
“YOU CAN ALWAYS TALK TO
SOMEONE ABOUT ANYTHING."
“ THANK YOU FOR COMING INTO MY LIFE BECAUSE WHEN THINGS GET HARD AND I’M FALLING APART, I START REPLAYING EVERYTHING YOU’VE SAID.”
