Guest Facilitator to Join MOCAI Women's Circle

March 4th, 2010
Amherst, MA –

MOCAI is excited to announce Rose M. Sackey-Milligan as our Women’s Circle guest facilitator March 9th, 2010.  MOCAI’s Women’s Circle is a free, weekly drop-in circle for all women of color.  This circle provides a safe space of mutual respect and non-judgment – a place where women of color can support each other and build community as they navigate the richness and complexity of their lives.  Circle's activities range from dialogue, journaling, art healing projects and culturally rich outings.  Featuring monthly a special guest facilitator.  This group is designed for women only.  Expectant mothers and babies in arms are welcome (approx 14mths and under use your discretion).  Transportation available upon request.  Unfortunately, at this time we do not provide childcare for this group but hope to honor our many requests soon.

MotherWoman Office, 96 N Pleasant St
March 9th and every Tuesday night
7:30-9:00pm

Rose M. Sackey-Milligan is a socio-cultural anthropologist. She has worked as researcher and applied anthropologist for 15 years in social change philanthropy. She is the former Director of Programs of the Peace Development Fund. She has also served as the director of Special Programs and Senior Evaluator at the National Center on Family Homelessness. Rose spent the last five years at the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society as its Social Justice Program Director. She has been working on a range of social justice issues for over 25 years. She holds a B.A. in social science and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in anthropology.

Rose is a writer and educator, and her love of travel has taken her to many countries in Latin America, Cuba, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, and the U.S., including Hawaii. She was fully initiated into the Lùkùmí (Afro-Cuban and Yoruba derived) priesthood in 1997.

Community Collaborators include:  MotherWoman Inc. and WOCLN UMass Amherst
For more information, contact Marisa Pizii at (413) 570-0374 or mocaigroup@gmail.com

New Program for Kids & Families: Color Play

October 17th, 2009
Northampton, MA

The Mothers of Color Awareness Initiative is excited to announce Color Play, our monthly social and craft for families raising children of color. This free event is for all children of color and their families. Transracial adoptees and LGBTQA families are strongly encouraged to join us.

Forbes Library Community Room
Oct 17th and every 3rd Saturday
10am-12pm

This month we will be identifying and dipping leaves in beeswax as well as apple coring. Seasonal stories and a healthy snack are also provided.

Participant Phoebe Kami Gooding of Westminster, Vt. says ''I decided to be involved because I live in an area that is a wonderful place to live in so many ways but really lacks diversity. I want my children to know who they are and where they are from. I was born in St. Thomas in the Caribbean and their father is half Philipino. We are island people but both raised by our white mothers. It was essential for me to have a diverse group of friends growing up and I want that for my children also.''

This group supports parents by addressing the cultural imbalances of their children’s community, encouraging self-acceptance and identity awareness.  We at MOCAI support the unique needs of families parenting children of color in the Pioneer Valley of Western MA. We recognize that our children’s visual environment influences their concepts of self and normality.  In addition, we know that opportunities for positive image development are missing and an essential need of the children/families of our community.  This group will provide parents with the opportunity to have open dialogue around the many concerns of parenting children of color.

Community collaborators include MotherWoman Inc. and WOCLN UMass Amherst.
For more information, contact Marisa Pizii at (413) 570-0374 or mocaigroup@gmail.com