By Christine Price
Columnist
Amidst all the stress, anxiety, craziness and bad news, my goal is to spotlight and share the good news in our community.
Spring is a season of renewal. It is a time when the world softens, brightens and begins again.
On Saturday, April 18, that spirit of renewal was brought indoors at the YMCA Central Branch, where “Hello Spring – a Time for Moms to Bloom” offered something many mothers rarely receive: permission to pause.
Created by the Leadership Lake County (LLC) Class of 2026, the afternoon-long retreat was designed not just as an event, but as an experience – one centered on rest, reflection and the simple but powerful act of caring for oneself.
LLC’s Signature Program is designed to cultivate community-minded leaders while making a meaningful local impact.
Through the program, participants strengthen key leadership skills, gain a deeper understanding of Lake County and explore how local leaders are addressing today’s challenges.
As part of that experience, each class is tasked with creating a community impact project. Presented with several options, the Class of 2026 quickly chose to focus on a group that rarely gets a moment to themselves: mothers.
For Nicole “Samira” Moore, the project felt especially personal. Through her work with Catholic Charities, she has supported many mothers in need.
A self-described “guru of self-care,” she believes strongly in caring for the caregiver. As a former Birthright mom herself, she was immediately drawn to the Birthright-focused project.
Partnering with Birthright, the group brought their vision to life with a wellness and serenity retreat designed specifically for the organization’s moms.
From 12-4 p.m., the afternoon focused on one simple goal: to give moms a break from their daily responsibilities and the opportunity to focus on themselves, something that doesn’t happen nearly often enough.
To make that possible, transportation and childcare were both provided, removing common barriers that might otherwise prevent participation.
The retreat offered a thoughtful blend of relaxation, education and self-care.
Moms enjoyed hand massages, relaxation sessions, mini-manicures and vision board crafting. They also had access to practical resources, including CPR instruction, financial and budgeting guidance, self-defense instruction and skin checks – an impressive combination of pampering and empowerment.
Meanwhile, their children were cared for, enjoying activities of their own in a safe and engaging environment.
A buffet lunch and snacks were served throughout the day, made possible by generous donations from local favorites including The Wild Goose, Tita Flora’s, Asian Chao, St. Noel Banquet Center and Red Creek Bar & Grill.
“Watching our mothers experience this day was truly meaningful. This retreat gave them something they rarely receive: time to rest, feel cared for and be reminded they matter. Thanks to LLC’s Signature Class of 2026, it was a powerful expression of support, dignity and community for our Birthright moms,” said Janice Silvaroli, Birthright executive director.
The LLC Class of 2026 includes Debra Hall, Kevin Sraj, Larry Francis, Tyrone Bilal, Matthew Burk, and Nicole “Samira” Moore, with longtime LLC member Doris Behnke serving as their coach.
At the end of the day, each mom left not only refreshed, but also appreciated – carrying a colorful swag bag filled with self-care items like candles, soaps, sleep masks and other small reminders to take time for themselves.
And long after the afternoon ended, the hope is that each mom carried with her not just a bag of gifts, but a renewed sense of worth, rest and the reminder that she, too, deserves to bloom.
When you see good news, and you will, please let me know. I would love to share it. Please include your name, phone number, city you live in and email.
