(CHARLESTON, W.Va.) – As she posted fliers around town about the YWCA’s newest initiative, YWCA Racial Justice Coordinator Nell Fleming was repeatedly asked the same question: “Why do mothers with biracial children need support?”
“My response is always kind and informative, but the question itself is sometimes part of the reason they need support,” Fleming said. “If you don’t know why or don’t think we need support, you haven’t walked in our shoes.”
Beginning January 18, the YWCA of Charleston is hosting a monthly support group for mothers (or female guardians) raising biracial or multiracial children who need support dealing with identity development, child rearing, racism, discrimination, and other issues unique to caregivers with multiracial children.
The Women with Biracial Children Support Group will be held on the third Monday of each month, beginning January 18, from 6-7 p.m. in the YWCA O’Connor-Autz Room (1114 Quarrier Street in downtown Charleston). Childcare is available on site for $5/hour per child. Discussion topics will include identity development, diversity in neighborhoods, schools and churches, dealing with racist family members, book discussions, hair care, and how to answer questions such as “Is he/she adopted?” or “Who are you babysitting for?”
Experts contend that support groups are invaluable in helping people cope with distinct experiences, feel less alone, and provide support and encouragement to others. A quick Google search pulls up dozens of support groups in Charleston and surrounding areas for people enduring a number of different experiences: chronic diseases, divorce, domestic violence, loved ones serving in the military – even those suffering the loss of a pet. Parents have options too, with local support groups for parents with adopted children, parents who home school their children, and parents of children with disabilities. However, until now, there has never been a place for mothers to seek guidance and support on the unique issues that come with raising biracial children.
“As beautiful as it is to live in a diverse society with interracial, interfaith, and multi-cultural families, there are times that it is necessary to converse with folks who share your experiences without judgment, pity, shock or disregard,” Fleming stated. “The list of issues women with biracial children face is long, and not every person deals with them to the same extent; however, some issues cross all class and regional lines.”
To her knowledge, this is the first support group of its kind in the greater Kanawha Valley.
For more information, visit www.ywcacharleston.org or contact Nell Fleming at (309)* 825-9133 or nfleming@ywcacharleston.org.
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The YWCA of Charleston, W.Va. is a non-profit social service organization established in 1912 that serves more than 4,000 individuals each year in Kanawha, Boone and Clay counties. The YWCA of Charleston’s programs empower individuals to become self-sufficient by providing education, job readiness, affordable childcare, counseling and financial planning, combined with basic needs like food, shelter, clothing and safety. During the past year, the YWCA provided 19,384 shelter nights to homeless individuals, victims of domestic violence and their children; 12,486 hours of free counseling and case management, and 131,038 nutritious meals. Learn more at www.ywcacharleston.org.