About Discover

Poverty can breed low expectations. Fed up, a group of low-income Hennepin County mothers are making sure their kids learn the difference between thriving and merely surviving.

The moms participate in Discover Support Groups. This program of the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches (GMCC) runs weekly support groups for mothers working to better themselves and the lives of their children. The groups work with at-risk women to prevent child abuse and neglect by focusing on the well-being of the entire family.

The mothers learn positive child discipline and parenting techniques, set job and home-life goals, and lean on one another as they work toward those goals.

At its core, Discover helps moms create a healthy home life for their children. But to do that successfully, it asks the women to tackle a lot — drugs, violence at home, and pressure from friends not to improve. Then there is finding a safe place to live, a good job, and child care.

Led by a trained facilitator, the women give each other personal attention, applause, a push when necessary, and sometimes a shoulder to cry on. Job trainers, educators, and family advocates also are brought in to help the moms as they work toward their goals.

In 2005, 241 parents participated in the weekly support groups. Parent goals ranged from becoming more involved in their children's school to money management and better emotional and physical family health.

In all, there are five Discover Support Groups operating throughout Hennepin County.