Black Voices: News, Culture & Community from Across the Nation
By J.A. Jones | Contributor
Chantala Davis founded the nonprofit A Mother’s Arms (AMA) in response to the incidents leading up to the 2018 death of two-year-old Jordan Belliveau at the hands of his 21-year-old mother, Charisse Stinson.
A Clearwater native who was once a teenaged mother herself, Davis was driven to start the nonprofit to raise awareness about the needs of vulnerable mothers and children and offer support to single mothers in distress.
“People fail to realize — yes, the children are an asset in our lives, and they are our future — but what about the parents? Some of them are broken, some of them have not learned things, some of them don’t even know themselves,” shared Davis.
Davis and team hold events at their location on 714 North Fort Harrison Avenue, Clearwater, Florida 33755 — in a building retrofit as a home-away-from-home, complete with a meditation space, children’s playroom, and even a laundry room.
The location offers services aimed at parents, youth, and even senior events for women who support families as grandparents and caregivers.
But while it initially focused on offering parenting classes to moms, the location has grown to sponsor events for every segment of the community.
While moms can find solace, support, workshops, and parenting classes offered by Davis and a roster of community professionals, visitors can also find mindfulness gatherings and support groups are offered for all members of the community — including fathers and men looking for male support groups.
Local authors hold book readings, seniors have game nights, and other community groups use the space for events as well.
Recently, Davis hosted the Clemency Quilts Exhibition, curated and collected by Shay Smith — a mother and community activist who helped found The National Council for Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls, whose tag is #freeher.
On Saturday, July 26, AMA will host its inaugural Purses for Purpose to raise funds to further its mission to support vulnerable parents and children at risk of child abuse.
Conceived as “an elegant evening” to be held at Aspirations Winery, located at 22041 US Hwy 19 N, Clearwater, FL, 33765, the event will feature a curated purse auction, networking opportunities, and “heartfelt stories of transformation.”
A Mother’s Arms, Inc has grown into a vital community asset that has turned trauma into a spring of possibility and positivity, committed to providing hope, healing, and tangible support to parents and children — “because every child deserves the safety of a loving home.”
Davis and AMA’s board believe that “together, we can help more families suffering in silence feel seen, supported, and strong.”
The Purses for Purpose fundriaiser gives supporters and attendees the opportunity to “directly impact the lives of parents and families seeking support, personal wellness and development, and the resources to rebuild a safe home.”
For more information on tickets and/or event sponsorship, please contact Chantala Davis, founder, at amothersarmsinc@gmail.com, 727-266-4625. For more information visit https://amothersarms.org; follow the organization at https://www.facebook.com/amothersarms.
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