Event celebrates single moms with gift of alone time
Kaleo founder marks anniversary with free Love You, Mama day
A St. Albert inspiration-and-prayer group organizer is offering a generous gift to single mothers — a little alone time.
To celebrate the one-year anniversary of community-focused, non-denominational group Kaleo, its founder Layna Haley wanted to reach out and offer some relief in advance of Mother’s Day for an event she calls Love You, Mama. On Thursday, April 28, between 5 and 8 p.m., single moms can drop off their children at Next Christian Community (490 140 St. Albert Rd.), which has a theatre and a playroom. Moms can enter a draw for numerous prizes, then go off and do whatever they like for a few hours, no charge.
“As a single mom, you’re probably going to get a plaster hand, a cute poem your kid has scribbled, and that’s going to be your Mother’s Day gift,” says Haley. “Meanwhile, you’re watching your Facebook feed flooded with breakfast in bed from my husband, flowers and jewelry. The idea of the draws is to acknowledge and celebrate motherhood.”
Haley, a warm and cheerful 35-year-old Christian, has three children of her own, including a 19-year-old boy now in university. “I was a very young single mom. I had my son Austin when I was in Grade 12. I was a single mom for eight years, so I get it. I really understand.”
Haley is flexible about who can participate.
“Military moms, a husband who works two out, one in. We’re talking about anyone who’s mothering on their own for stretches of time.
“Moms need a big warm hug and a thank-you for the job they do, because I truly do believe it is the most important job for all of society. We just want to give them a little bit of time to refuel in whatever way they want.”
Haley notes single dads are also welcome to drop the kids off. The babies and children will be fed and entertained.
She asks parents to pre-register with ages and dietary concerns at experiencekaleo@gmail.com, and is accepting donations for the event, which you can also find on Facebook by searching experiencekaleo.
Haley initiated the monthly Kaleo, held at various locations monthly, “so that people in our community always felt loved and cared for and accepted, no conditions.”
The gatherings, at no cost, have encouraging speakers and optional prayer at the end, attendees usually numbering between 20 and 40.
“We’re starting to gain a little traction, which is great.”