As Mother’s Day approaches, Henry Street Settlement hosted a special early brunch to honor single mothers, grandmothers and families from local shelters in the city.

“It takes a village and this, this is the village,” said Shania Morales, a single mother who attended the event.

The Mother’s Day extravaganza treated about 150 single mothers.

“This honestly means a lot because I struggle with making friends mom friends so things like this kind of just bring moms together where you can mingle you hear other peoples stories and you kind of get an understanding that you’re not the only one who is struggling being a single mom,” Morales continued.

Table settings and fresh lowers welcomed them. Organizers said the goal was to make each woman their feel seen. 

“Throughout these past three years of COVID, we’ve recognized and experienced directly how important it is to take care of each other and that’s true in times of crisis but it’s also true in times of celebration,” said David Garza, president and CEO of the Henry Street Settlement.

“Everybody here today and the other moms that have been nominated around the country will receive a lock and they will receive it in this little envelope that says, somebody knows you, somebody loves you, somebody told us,” said Marla Aaron, reading a card each mother was gifted.

Aaron is the founder of Marla Aaron Jewelry and donated one of a kind mementos for each of the mothers in attendance.

“I was a single mom, and I understood the bittersweet feeling on Mother’s Day, especially when your children are small like there’s no one there to say great job, especially when you’re parenting alone,” she said.

The gift bags also included donations by Bobbi Brown Cosmetics and contributions by Materials for the Arts, which also entertained children with crafts while their mothers were being pampered.

For single mom Myeshia Patterson who is a survivor of domestic violence, the event and resources provided by Henry Street Settlement have made a difference in not just in her life, but the lives of her two children.

“This was the only gift I got from anybody was from this Mother’s Day event and I was so emotional. I’m very appreciative of everything and you can tell they really care. You know some people do things and it’s just to do it, but they really care and that meant everything to and my kids,” said Patterson.

In addition to being treated to the brunch and getting a gift bag, each mother walked away with a personalized bouquet.