Mothers on the Move hosted its first event in the spring.
New Hershey nonprofit helps mothers reconnect with themselves through dance
The Mothers on the Move pilot program will offer free weekly dance lessons and childcare stipends for new mothers starting in October.
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Haley O'Brien/WITF
Mothers on the Move hosted its first event in the spring.
A new Hershey-area nonprofit is creating opportunities for new mothers to learn a new skill, spend time on themselves and connect with other women with free weekly dance lessons.
Mothers on the Move (MOM) was founded this year by Vida Abedi, an associate professor in the department of public health sciences at Penn State College of Medicine.
The nonprofit hosted its first community dance events in the spring to raise money for the program. The pilot program will launch in October with free weekly dance lessons for new mothers. The nonprofit will provide stipends for childcare.
“Learning a new skill is so empowering,” Abedi said. “It’s not truly about the dance itself, it’s about the community building and support.”
Abedi said the transition to motherhood can be difficult for women, especially the first six months to a year focused on caring for another individual.
“As new moms, we lose our own identity,” Abedi said.
Mothers on the Move
Mothers on the Move provides free dance lessons for new mothers.
Mothers can bring a partner or come on their own. Instructor Jonathan Kopatz says ballroom dance can give couples an opportunity to reconnect after parenthood.
“Creating a space where they can come together, physically touch, to learn how to move together, to communicate physically, could be very helpful,” he said. “That will benefit the child long-term.”
Abedi recruited friends from the ballroom dance community and Penn State professionals to develop the program.
Priscilla Fias, a mother and grandmother who found the benefits of ballroom dance later in life, says she believes the activity can help create a lasting support network for new mothers.
“We’re trying to build a community of support for first– time mothers that will hopefully be generational,” she said. “We find that ballroom dancing is a perfect fit for this… it addresses mind, body, and spirit.”
Kristin Sznajder is a professor of public health sciences at Penn State College of Medicine and leads the Central PA Mental Health Coalition. She says mental health is one of the key determinants of maternal mortality, along with domestic violence, substance use disorder and access to healthcare.
“It’s important to remember to reconnect with your own self and your own body and your interests when you’ve had such a major life transition,” she said.
Fundraising events planned
Mothers on the Move invites the public to multiple fundraising events in August and September ahead of the October pilot program.
A belly dance workshop will be held at Frances Mohler Dance in Hummelstown at 2 p.m. Aug. 23, followed by a dance party at 3 p.m.
On Sept. 13, Kopatz will teach a rumba lesson at The Englewood in Hershey at 2:30 p.m., followed by a social dance beginning at 6 p.m.
Admission for the events is $10 or $15 and benefits Mothers on the Move.
For more information, contact danceformaternalwellness@gmail.com.
“If you’re happy, [children] sense it and they are happy. It’s not about what we say to them, it’s about how we say it and how we behave,” Abedi said. “So if you want to make your child healthy and happy, just you have to be healthy and happy.”
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