Hello, my name is Adrianne Belardes. I became a client at Maintenance for Moms in 2020 when I desperately needed repair on my 2005 Honda Accord. I was more than grateful when I was blessed with the opportunity to have my car fixed. At the time I was a single mother, full time student pursuing my GED, and head of the household. I certainly had a lot on my plate and Maintenance for Moms surely lightened my load by repairing our car.
One day during the Fall of 2020 I received a phone call from Kathryn, the Director at MFM, she explained that she was outside in my driveway with her two children in the car and that they had something for my daughter and me. I was nearly in tears when Kathryn handed me a large insulated bag full of fresh groceries. This was shortly after the pandemic had started and we couldn’t have used the groceries more. I recall many times over the course of my relationship with MFM that they have caught me by surprise with exactly what I needed at exactly the right time. MFM has sent heartfelt cards, full of inspiration, and thoughtful words, along with a gas or target gift card. I must share with you that Maintenance for Moms is not a one stop shop that forgets you when you are gone.
During the holiday’s last year, my daughter and I were invited to join an interest list for a Thanksgiving dinner and a Christmas present drive. The list of amazing, generous, and thoughtful things that MFM has done for my daughter and me is countless.
Over the last couple years since I became a client with Maintenance for Moms and a recipient of their unconditional warmth for humankind, I found that MFM has been a major influence in the life changes I have made to begin donating my time and efforts to the community. Recently, I was engaging with Kathryn from MFM over the phone and we were exchanging ideas and all of a sudden Kathryn said to me, “Adrianne, would you ever consider working for Maintenance for Moms? We have opening for an internship this August.” Of course I wanted to jump right out of my seat and scream at the top of my lungs “Absolutely yes!!!” Somehow, I was able to hold my composure and answer somewhat calmly and I responded with, “Yes, I absolutely would.”
So this past August, I had an interview set up with Annie and Kathryn. I was welcomed into their office with questions regarding my daughter’s wellbeing, how my college education is going, and how my overall general life is doing. We then initiated the interview with prayer. The Almighty God blessed me with the internship here at Maintenance for Moms. We also ended the interview in prayer. An interview like no other, special indeed.
I now am an intern working closely with Lacie in community relations providing resources to our single mothers. It gives me great pleasure to assist in helping the MFM mother’s since I have been in their shoes and I understand their struggle. I could not be more thrilled about my onboarding with Maintenance for Moms.
