Due to unexpected construction delays, Mothers Helping Mothers will be closed Thursday evening and Friday for donations and client appointments. If you had an appointment scheduled, please check your text messages and email for important updates and rescheduling information.

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CARES Program

mother carrying child

MHM C.A.R.E.S.

Our personalized support program is designed to empower clients, helping them transition from survive to thrive. We provide one-on-one coaching to assist individuals in identifying their goals, finding resources, receiving referrals, and gaining empowerment through financial literacy.

Additionally, we offer a wide variety of free support groups at MHM to help mothers connect and grow in a casual environment with expert hosts from various fields.

Learn More

What is CARES?

Life can be tough, but you don’t have to do it alone. The CARES program at Mothers Helping Mothers is here to support you with the tools and resources to build stability and a stronger future for you and your family. Plus you can earn rewards and a free shop pass once you graduate!

Community

Our store provides essential clothing, household items, and child safety equipment for free. Additionally, we offer an online community through our Facebook group, MHM Helping Hands. This group functions similarly to FB Marketplace, but all items are offered free of charge. This platform allows our donors to connect directly with our families by posting items such as furniture, appliances, used cribs, and car seats for clients to pick up at no cost.

Assist

Clients are invited to complete an intake survey to assess current needs and goals & connect to a CARES Team Coach.

Resources

Cares team coaches recommend a wide array of community resources and can submit personalized referrals to local agencies and other nonprofits for them to follow up with the client directly.

Empowerment

Clients have the opportunity to become a CARES Graduate by completing one Financial Empowerment module and finishing their personal budget at their own pace. Graduates will earn a gift card upon completion!

Support

Our upstairs coffee lounge offers a variety of weekly support group sessions. These sessions are designed to connect, encourage, and empower clients to achieve their goals. They are hosted by community leaders who are experts in their field. Free childcare is available, and moms can also earn rewards such as gift cards, free shop passes, and other prizes.

Welcome to our CARES Program!

This program is designed to help you build stability for yourself and your family.

It’s simple, and we’ll guide you through each step.

Step 1: Enrollment Form

Fill out the CARES Enrollment Form to get started.

Step 2: Welcome Call With Your Coach

After we review your form, a CARES team member will call or text you from 941-953-7572. During this short interview, your coach will: - Learn about your situation. - Help you identify your most important life goals. - Connect you to more community resources and referrals to help you move forward.

Step 3: Learn About Your Money

You’ll be asked to complete one online activity from How Money Smart Are You? It’s a fun game (about 45 minutes) that teaches simple steps to understand your money and budget. Don’t worry—you only need to do one activity to start.

Step 4: Build Your Budget

We’ll provide a simple online budget worksheet. Fill it out, then review it with your CARES coach.

Step 5: Review Call With Your Coach

Your coach can help identify ways to make ends meet and utilize resources to help you start saving for your future peace of mind.

Earn Rewards!

Once you complete the online money lesson, complete your budget worksheet, and have your review session, you’ll receive a $10 gift card (Starbucks or Dunkin’).
✔90 days after your interview, you can complete a brief follow up survey (3 min) and Earn a FREE SHOP PASS to MHM. Use it anytime, even between your regular visits - no appointment necessary!
✔BONUS Once you've graduated CARES by completing all these steps, we will automatically enter you into our Toy Day Drawing for a chance to win a spot in our Annual Toy Event!

Earn Rewards!

Once you complete the online money lesson, complete your budget worksheet, and have your review session, you’ll receive a $10 gift card (Starbucks or Dunkin’).
✔90 days after your interview, you can complete a brief follow up survey (3 min) and Earn a FREE SHOP PASS to MHM. Use it anytime, even between your regular visits - no appointment necessary!
✔BONUS Once you've graduated CARES by completing all these steps, we will automatically enter you into our Toy Day Drawing for a chance to win a spot in our Annual Toy Event!
Already a Client? Start your CARES Journey now
Not a Client? Schedule your first appointment today

Step 1: Enrollment Form

Fill out the CARES Enrollment Form to get started.

 

Step 2: Welcome Call with your Coach

After we review your form, a CARES team member will call or text you from 941-953-7572.
During this short interview, your coach will:
- Learn about your situation.
- Help you identify your most important life goals.
- Connect you to more community resources and referrals to help you move forward.

 

Step 3: Learn About Your Money

You’ll be asked to complete one online activity from How Money Smart Are You?
 
It’s a fun game (about 45 minutes) that teaches simple steps to understand your money and budget.
 
Don’t worry—you only need to do one activity to start.
 

Step 4: Build your Budget

We’ll provide a simple online budget worksheet. Fill it out, then review it with your CARES coach.

 

Step 5 - Review Call with your Coach

Your coach can help identify ways to make ends meet and utilize resources to help you start saving for your future peace of mind.

 

Get Rewards!
✔ Once you complete the online money lesson, complete your budget worksheet, and have your review session, you’ll receive a $10 gift card (Starbucks or Dunkin’).
 
✔90 days after your interview, you can complete a brief follow up survey (3 min) and Earn a FREE SHOP PASS to MHM.
 
Use it anytime, even between your regular visits - no appointment necessary!
 
✔BONUS Once you've graduated CARES by completing all these steps, we will automatically enter you into our Toy Day Drawing for a chance to win a spot in our Annual Toy Event!
 
The End Goal? - CARES gives you more tools, resources, and support so you can stress less and feel more in control of your future.
 
Complete the form today, and we’ll connect with you soon to help you begin your journey to stability.
 
P.S. While you wait, check out our MHM Community Resource Guide for links to food, housing, financial help, employment, childcare, pregnancy support, mental health resources, and more.
 
— The MHM CARES Team
 
Already a Client? Start your CARES Journey now
Not a Client? Schedule your first appointment today

MOTHERS HELPING MOTHERS, INC. IS A 501(c)(3) ORGANIZATION-FEDERAL TAX I.D. #65-0416462. CONTRIBUTIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE AS ALLOWED BY LAW. “A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION #CH16578 AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FEE 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE AND AT www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. “THIS ORGANIZATION RETAINS 100% OF ALL CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED.

© Copyright 2026 Mothers Helping Mothers, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Website Design by Smashup Solutions, LLC

*You do NOT need an appointment to request assistance for resources, referrals, or emergencies. Click the Assistance Request link to reach us for those issues.

Quick Rules for Shopping Appointments

You will be able to book your appointment after you’ve scrolled down.

Who Can Be a Client

  • Must live in Sarasota or Manatee County

  • Have custody of children under 18 or be pregnant (must bring proof of children/pregnancy at your first visit only)

  • Pregnant? Shopping for baby items starts 60 days before due date only

  • Bring ID/passport to each appointment

About Your Visit

  • Appointment required (no walk-ins)

  • Shop once every 4 months

  • Only you, spouse, and registered children may shop (no guests)

  • 40 minutes per visit to shop

  • Item limits apply — shop for your family only

  • Free childcare is provided on most days

Baby Items – New Baby Items are only provided 60 days before delivery date!

  • New Clients book an appointment and shop can shop within 60 days of delivery. 

  • Returning Clients – If you’re within 60 days of your due date, and it’s not time to return, you can book an appointment for just ‘Baby Only Items’. If it’s been 4+ months since your last visit, just schedule a regular appointment to shop the whole store plus get your baby items.

  •  The special Baby Only Items appointment won’t affect regular clients scheduled return date.  

Appointments & Cancellations

  • Returning too early? Your appointment will be canceled & you will need to reschedule

  • Times available every 15 minutes – Book only one slot on your desired day

  • Enter name exactly as it is on your ID + correct email/phone

  • No Show Policy: 1 free miss. After that, a missed appointment will be counted as a visit and you won’t be able to return for 4 more months.

  • Click here to cancel or reschedule your existing appointment.  

👇 Click below to book your appointment once you’ve read the full policy.

I have read the MHM policies above and am ready to book my Shopping Appointment.

Mothers Helping Mothers serves families who meet specific eligibility requirements.

I live in Sarasota or Manatee County AND am currently pregnant or I am the parent/legal guardian of a child under 18 and would like to apply to become a client, or I am a current client and would like to schedule a shopping appointment.

Yes
No

Presented by Lela V Sport

Join us for the 2nd Annual Community in Motion!

Sunday, October 4, 2026 at Sarasota Polo Club

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EVENT DETAILS

We are paused for store donations until Friday, Feb. 27th due to construction.

Vote for Best Local Nonprofit until Wed. 2/4 @ Midnight

Votes can be cast once per day!

VOTE HERE

Text "RESOURCES" to 941-953-7572 to connect with community resources in Sarasota & Manatee counties