Vice Mayor Maureen Porras Launches Doral Moms’ Club
By: Maria Alejandra Pulgar
Motherhood is a journey that is better traveled together, and Doral Vice Mayor Maureen Porras is beginning her journey launching an initiative that will help other expecting moms like her to transit this joyful phase of their lives along with her, to share experiences and grow as a community.
“My husband and I are very excited to become parents at the end of December. This is our first child,” shared Vice Mayor Porras. “I think that when we found out that I was expecting, there were so many questions that I had about just the pregnancy process, including what to expect. I didn’t really have anywhere to look.” After searching around for resources nearby that fulfilled her vision of having a robust support system for mothers in Doral, Porras decided to organize the Moms’ Club.
“I really think that it would be great to create a group of moms, specifically, that we can share all the different knowledge, experiences, and really foster a sense of community, foster social connections,” The Moms’ Club will serve as a dynamic space where members not only share ideas, experiences, referrals, and recommendations but also create long-lasting friendships.
Women are tribal by nature, and motherhood increases their need to build a community with whom to raise their children. An initiative like this of Vice Mayor Porras’ will provide Doral moms with that special and safe, space where they can learn together and develop their own motherhood style while learning and supporting each other.
Building a Coalition of Support
Vice Mayor Porras, a seasoned lawyer with extensive experience in the public sector, emphasized her role as a “coalition builder.” She plans to leverage this expertise to create a strong network within the Moms’ Club. “You can’t do it alone. You have to create these spaces where you can meet and share and help each other out,” she stated, highlighting the core philosophy of the initiative.
It will not be a space just for first-time moms. Vice Mayor Porras envisions a diverse group: expectant moms; mothers of middle-schoolers seeking advice on high school systems; moms needing childcare references or moms wondering how to choose the best school approach for their child; moms at all stages of motherhood that can nurture and assist each other.
“I want to create this group so that there are moms that maybe need some childcare, that maybe they can get a job interview, and they don’t have anyone to leave their kids with,” Porras illustrated her vision. This collaborative spirit aims to ensure that no mother feels isolated in her journey. “Every mom needs someone to talk to,” she affirmed.
Navigating Motherhood Together in Challenging Times
Becoming a mother has never been easy and the challenges of today’s world can add even more doubts or worries to the process. Vice Mayor Porras admitted, “Honestly, it’s scary because you think about everything that’s happening in the world with imminent threats, with the way the world has changed. Do you really want to leave children here?” However, she quickly added, “It really gives you a new perspective on the future and really makes you ensure that you’re going to be fighting for your children to have the best future possible.” This renewed perspective fuels her commitment to building a strong community for future generations.
The Moms’ Club will hold monthly in-person meetings, with plans to rotate locations across Doral to ensure accessibility for all residents and to provide visibility for local small businesses. Beyond social gatherings, the club will offer an educational component, drawing on the diverse professional backgrounds of its members. “As a lawyer, I can help other moms navigate the legal process,” Porras offered as an example, envisioning workshops on various topics, from school processes to medical questions.
Vice Mayor Porras’s pregnancy was the culmination of a journey that deepened her commitment to supporting other mothers. She joyfully says that her baby’s “timing is perfect, and we’re super happy” and she is looking forward to sharing the experience of growing her family along with the community.
Participation in the Moms’ Club is completely free. The initiative is a personal endeavor by Vice Mayor Porras and does not utilize city facilities or funds. The first meeting is tentatively scheduled for late August or early September, after the back-to-school rush, and those interested can call or text to Vice Mayor Maureen Porras’ office directly at (305) 788-2910 or register online visiting http://tinyurl.com/VMPorras-MomsClub