Just as you're getting used to being home with your baby and your work life feels like a distant memory, you realize that your maternity leave is coming to an end. The thought of waking up at 6 a.m. and racing ff to a job after being up all night with a crying baby seems impossible.
It's a transition that local mothers Jennifer Deane and Julie Morris are familiar with, and the reason the pair has created Launch, a career exploration and mentoring program for mothers.
"We are getting a handle on the balance between being moms and achieving in our careers. We wanted to share our experiences and decided to start the Launch program," said Morris.
Morris and Deane are among the growing number of mothers who are leaving the workforce only to return later. And both women say the transition back to work was stressful.
"The prospect of returning to work can be hugely overwhelming," Morris said. "Choosing to have a family is a huge life and career-altering event. Being out of the workforce for anywhere from a year to three or even five years makes opting back into the job market a huge challenge for women."
Morris and Deane contend that mothers represent an under-employed segment of the labour market, but with the right support, these women will be better positioned to reach their potential.
The Launch program is designed to help women reach their potential through career exploration and working through economic, social and emotional barriers to employment. Morris said it aims to literally launch women ages 30 to 45 into the labour market armed with tools and awareness.
"For some women, that may mean a leap into self employment or other options. We start by looking at what kind of work you want to do and end up with a very specific employment plan," Deane said.
The eight-week program includes a combination of classroom learning, mentoring sessions and one on one coaching. Themes include everything from networking to marketing yourself. The program also requires an eight-hour per week time commitment.
"We are hoping to offer our first class in Oct 2009. We are in the process of looking for funding so that finances don't become a barrier for potential participants," Morris said.
With the goal of getting 60 per cent of the participants into the workforce, Deane and Morris are looking for funding opportunities from the government and local community.
"Squamish is a baby factory and it is amazing how many women are in the same situation. The labour market is a bit more challenging these days and we want to help women overcome those obstacles to achieve balance," Morris said.
For more information on the Launch program or to get involved, contact Julie Morris at 604-815-7622 or Jennifer Deane at 778-834-3910
