LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Mother-Wise, an organization that offers support to new and expecting Lake County moms, is hosting an upcoming volunteer training.

Mother-Wise depends on volunteers to provide the best possible support for Lake County moms.

Registration is now open for Lake County’s next Mother-Wise volunteer training, where regular women become saathi companions by learning the best ways to support to pregnant women and new mothers.

The next saathi training is on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at The Harbor on Main, 16170 Main St., Suite F, in Lower Lake. Preregistration is required for lunch, which is included.

The training covers the basis for the saathi home visiting program, including the special needs of mothers, effective communication with families, home visiting parameters, active listening skills, and signs and effects of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), including postpartum depression.

Saathis put the Mother-Wise mission into practice, helping moms through all kinds of challenges while building relationships and support systems powerful enough to change lives.

There is probably a woman near you who could use some help adjusting to motherhood, and there is nothing complicated about saathi support.

Women achieve the role of saathi (“meaning companion” in Sanskrit) by attending a one-day training. Then they are matched with a mom from their area before working out a schedule for home visits and other contacts.

This arrangement sets the stage for the many meaningful ways a saathi can support a mom. While saathis are trained to be vigilant for signs of postpartum depression and other PMADs, their main role is simply being there for the mom they are supporting.

As Mother-Wise grows, so does the need for kind, caring volunteers. Not everyone can commit to being a saathi, but there are several other ways to get involved besides the home visiting program.

Mother-Wise currently needs a home-cooked meal delivery coordinator, play group volunteer (someone to help the Early Childhood Educator with the moms’ older children during M.O.M groups), fundraising help, walk leaders and help with supply closet inventory.

Mother-Wise volunteers often talk about how much satisfaction they get from working with moms and their families.

A short visit, a listening ear, holding the baby, a simple walk – no matter what the activity, the gift of time leaves a lasting impression on mothers and their families.

Mother-Wise sincerely welcomes all volunteers, but new saathis are urgently needed in and around Clearlake, Middletown and Lucerne.

For more information or to enroll in the upcoming training, please send a message to Mother-Wise on Facebook or call Jaclyn at 707-349-1210.