JOANNE Koyslo knows all too well the pressures new mothers can endure when bringing a child into the world.
Her life was turned upside down when a medical condition left her bedridden for months following the birth of two of her sons.
Ms Koyslo, 36, says help from family and friends got her through the difficult time. But she knows not all women have that kind of support.
Five months ago, Ms Koyslo, a social worker who lives in Taylors Lakes, started her own not-for-profit organisation Support for Mums.
“There are some major gaps in the support services for women in the west,” she says.
“My experience inspired me to create a service for women who don’t have the kind of support I did, and one that supports women and families that find themselves suddenly in crisis or in situational poverty.”
The charity provides practical services for families in need, including free meals, cleaning services, food vouchers and at-home counselling.
Families helped so far have been in financial distress, survivors of domestic violence, or had an unwell infant or parent diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.
Last year, a month after setting up a Facebook page, more than 30 Australian mothers signed up to skydive and raise money for Support for Mums.
The November 26 event raised more than $30,000, which Ms Koyslo used to fund services using local providers.
“I have used the money to employ a Meals on Wheels service to home-deliver meals to families, purchase taxi vouchers for mums to get to the hospital, and provide fruit and vegetable deliveries.”
Ms Koyslo hopes to roll out services across Melbourne this year, employing staff to help families in need. There is an open day to discuss Support for Mums on May 2 at the Windsor Hotel, 111 Spring Street, Melbourne.
Details: facebook.com/supportformums
