CRESTVIEW — In February, Mosaic Church is giving more Northwest Florida moms a break.
Mom's Night Out, a year-old childcare service initially intended for the church's members, is expanding. The outreach ministry will help all single moms or local mothers whose husbands are deployed or away for military training, according to Stacey LaLonde, Mosaic's ministry coordinator.
The seven-year-old church's vision team, which makes decisions for its ministries, recently approved the program's expansion.
Here's how the service works: Church volunteers take care of children ages 1 and up at no charge to the mother. The program — which the congregation fully funds, LaLonde said — includes dinner, a craft, a movie and children's Bible study.
However, parents must provide diapers and wipes, as well as any milk or formula, for young children.
But they can rest assured that their children are in capable hands, according to LaLonde, who said volunteers have passed criminal background checks.
Church leaders recognized the need for childcare a year ago, LaLonde said.
"The idea for Mom's Night Out came from Lead Pastor James Ross," she said. "Since we have such a large number of military families in our congregation, it was a great way to reach out to moms to meet a need."
The vision team reached the same conclusion when considering expanding the program, LaLonde said.
"Since we have such a large amount of military people in our area, it was a good way to make sure their needs were being met," she said.
The outreach begins Friday, Feb. 6 at the 837 W. James Lee Blvd. church. It will continue the first Friday of each month.
Moms may drop off their children after 4:30 p.m. and pick them up before 8:30 p.m.
Contact Mosaic Church Associate Pastor Scott Turbeville, 850-209-5097, for details.
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Mom's Night Out, a free childcare service
WHEN: 4:30-8:30 p.m. first Fridays
WHERE: Mosaic Church, 837 W. James Lee Blvd., Crestview
ONLINE: www.mosaiccrestview.com
Email Editorial Assistant Renee Bell, follow her on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Mosaic Church outreach ministry for mothers expands