WUNRN
November 2007
The 15th Anniversary of the Czech Mother Centers Network opened with more than 170 mother center leaders, distinguished scholars and national and local government officials listening to a congratulatory letter from former Czech President Vaclav Havel.
NETWORK OF MOTHER CENTERS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
The First Mother Center in the Czech Republic opened in 1992 after a group of Czech women leaders participated in an exchange visit and learned of the German Mother Center's self-help movement and their basic organizing principles. In less than ten years, 100 Mother Centers have arisen in villages and towns across the Czech Republic.
What are Mother Centers?
What do Mother Centers Offer?
Main tasks of CZECH MOTHER CENTERS' NETWORK
Contact
Mother Centers are founded on the principle of family self-support, and in most cases have been established by mothers on maternity leave, who share the leadership and create the program at the same time. The Centers enable mothers to come out of the isolation of their daily care duties at home and come into a supportive community center, open to all generations. MCs are places where children are welcome. There is a natural company of children of similar ages. A child can also observe his/her mother in another role, different from her role at home. MCs build women's confidence by creating a place for new friendships and new sharing of experiences. Mother Centers also create a structure and platform for families to identify and voice their interests and problems and to engage in active advocacy for family and community issues.
Help Through Self-Support
Projects for Mothers, Parents, and Children
Problem
and Conflict Prevention
Mother
Centers provide for a safe space to spend time. For those who might end up in
troublesome situations, counseling and role models are readily available at
MCs. In the MC, families and individuals learn how to better use their free
time, reducing chances for crime.
Inclusivity
Mother Centers are open to all races, social classes, refugees, and others.
They teach tolerance and help to prevent xenophobia. MCs offer club meetings
for groups of people who are equally different.
Self-Help
Civic Participation
Creating a Mother Center requires initiators to register, identify and organize
space, and raise funds. The building of a self-governing body of MCs, the
setting up of a program, and community outreach are the next steps. To do this,
women must know the laws, establish close contact with local councils, and have
a strong interest in local affairs.
Co-operation
The Mother Centers maintain relations with non-profit organizations and state
services with similar aims. They are also in correspondence with partner
organizations abroad.
MAIN TASKS OF CZECH MOTHER CENTERS' NETWORK
To support the rapid, word of mouth growth of locally initiated Mother Centers, a national network has emerged to offer:
Support And Methodological Guidance For Local Leaders In Forming New Mother Centers
Linkages to Existing Mother Centers through
Access And Connectedness To Network And Organizations Outside Czech Republic For Approaches, Contacts, And Resources Through:
For
more visit:
Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship
Work Group Prague Mothers for Mother Centers
MC YMCA
RUT Kolinska
Na Porici #12
Praha 1 Czech Republic
Tel: 420-2-248-73238
Fax: 420-2-248-75402
http://www.materskacentra.czTo reach Rut Kolinska:
Siroka 15, 11000 Prague 1
Czech Republic
Tel: 420-2-231-6407
Fax: 420-2-248-75402
ymcapraha@volny.ca
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