Historical December 1979 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
The Mothers’ Hotline is a 24-hour. seven-day a week, telephone service for mothers who need help coping with any aspect of parenting. The Hotline was begun in 1977 by the Association of Family Women, whose members recognized the isolation and frustration felt by many mothers confronted with raising children in a mobile society. often away from the support of family or close friends. With a grant from the Campaign for Human Development to provide publicity, postage and telephone service, the Hotline became a reality that to date has served about 2500 callers. Calls run the gamut from the weary new mother whose baby cries all night to the distraught parents of a run-away teen. Not surprisingly. late afternoons bring the most calls then mothers seem to experience the greatest stress of .the day: preparing dinner, tired children. etc. The winter months also bring increased calls, reflecting the effects of being housebound on mother and child. When the caller’s problem indicates that professional help is needed, referral is made to the appropriate agency or resource. Since the Hotline provides emotional rather than financial support. it is unable to furnish food, formula or funds. The fact that the volunteers are also mothers who have experienced many of the same feelings is the Hotline’s strength. Although not professional counselors, these volunteers are trained to listen and help the caller sort out her feelings, or select the possible options. The rewards of being a volunteer are enhanced by the fact that she can perform -this service in her own home, surrounded by her children. while exchanging with the caller the results of her own experience.
Originally published in The Paper, December 1979.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1979_12.pdf, printed page(s) 7; PDF page(s) 7.
