A local new non-profit called Sparta MomCo is making efforts to support local mothers who are going through motherhood.
Sparta MomCo Child Care Coordinator Zekiya Roberts said the group originated from Cookeville’s Mothers of Preschoolers group. Roberts said Sparta MomCo provides inspiring speakers, faith-based encouragement, and practical tools to mothers as they navigate motherhood.
“Being a mother is the most beautiful gift in the world, but it is also very difficult,” Roberts said. “And we hope to create a space, we have created a space where moms can experience authentic community, grow in their faith, and find the support they need on their journey of motherhood.”
Along with the everyday struggles of raising kids, Roberts said mothers often struggle with socializing. Roberts said Sparta MomCo meets once a month in hopes of not only supporting mothers through motherhood but also helping them make friends.
“Stay-at-home moms often don’t have close friends that they can do life with, and so they are just stuck at home with their kids all day,” Roberts said. “So our goal, our hope is for those moms to connect and be able to also take their kids on play dates together in the community, or you know, travel to another city here in Tennessee and go to a fun water park or things like that.”
Roberts said mothers outside of Sparta are welcome to participate, as Cookeville may be too far to drive for some mothers during the week. Roberts said Sparta MomCo can help mothers no matter what stage of motherhood a mother is in.
“My children are a little older now, and so I’m out of the thick of raising an infant and raising a toddler, but that time can be, you know, pretty alone, especially if it’s your first child and you’re unaware of different things on how to handle motherhood,” Roberts said. “Then even with where I’m at with my kids now, there’s women on our leadership team that are more seasoned moms, and so I can turn to them for advice as well. So it’s just nice to have women at different stages of life to go through the chaos with.”
Roberts said Sparta MomCo operates off of sponsors. Roberts said Sparta MomCo is still searching for more sponsors. Roberts said the funding from sponsors goes towards covering the cost of meetings, parties, and events that the non-profit puts on for local mothers.
Sparta MomCo meets on the second Thursday of every month from 9:30am-11:30am at The River Sparta. Mothers who may be interested in participating in the group can follow the non-profit’s Facebook page for upcoming meetings and events.