Motherless Daughters Ministry
The Motherless Daughters Ministry is a 501 (c)(3) Christian organization dedicated to serving women who have lost or missed the nurturing care of a mother. We fulfill our mission by freeing women from the bondage of grief and loss through self-discovery, understanding how loss has shaped their lives, and by empowering them to journey towards healing themselves, and helping others.
On December 18, 1997 my mother, a mother of 5 children including myself, was driving home when someone ran a stop sign. I was working at a store in the mall that day. My mom’s boyfriend picked me up from work. He said something had happened. My mom had been in an accident. We drove to the hospital and I expected her to be fine. Maybe some bumps and bruises. I still remember an ambulance pulling in slowly with no lights flashing and no siren. Looking back, it made perfect sense. There was no reason to hurry. She was gone.
In the hospital we waited for what seemed like a long time. Eventually, we were asked to come into a private room. There we were told that she died. I can still see some of my family members falling to the floor crying hysterically. It did not seem real. It was a terrible nightmare that I could not wake up from. The rest of that night was a blur. I made a couple of phone calls then we were sent to my grandparents’ house. She was ripped from our lives with no warning. No chance to say goodbye. It was absolutely horrific.
The only way I can think to describe the way I felt after her death is how a person feels when they have that dream, they are falling. The one where you’re falling and you have no control. There’s this emptiness in your stomach and you start to panic. It’s horrifying. Then you wake up with a jolt and a big feeling of relief because it was just a dream. Only on this day I couldn’t wake up. I just kept falling.
I never realistically thought that I would have to live without her. I do remember a few years prior that I started telling her I loved her every night before bed because something told me that if anything happened, I would not forgive myself. I knew that I love you needed to be the last thing we said to each other. Even then I never thought it could ever really happen.
I didn’t realize at the time how special she was. I think it’s something people commonly say after a loved one dies like they owe it to them. Like somehow by dying everyone becomes a hero. But she really was. She was beautiful, kind, giving, and funny. Family was everything to her. I miss her hugs. I miss being silly and dancing around the living room with her. For the first time I realized home is not a place. Home is family and she was the center of ours. And she was gone forever.
Unfortunately, our last conversation involved me arguing with her to buy me a pack of cigarettes. I was going through a very rotten teenage phase. She was angry for good reason. She left me a note on a pizza box. I don’t remember what it said but it’s not important. I know she loved us. Even me, the most difficult.” I don’t dwell on that last memory. I know she forgave me 10 minutes after if not sooner.
The happy memories of her I will cherish for the rest of my life. I was beyond blessed to have her in my life even for a short time. Some people go through their entire lives never knowing the love and closeness we had. I know in my heart without a doubt that she is up there watching over us and looking forward to being with us again.
Programs
Signature Annual Journey Retreat
Have you ever felt that losing your mother was much more than a physical death or loss of nurturing? The emotional loss is almost as overpowering. Have you wondered if there are other women who feel the same way and long to connect to each other? You are Not Alone! Maybe you’ve never even talked about your mother loss experience because it’s just too painful or uncomfortable. Maybe you need to read on because, this is for YOU!
This is your time to:
Be affirmed
Feel loved
Have some time to quiet yourself and reflect
Begin your healing journey
The Journey: Healing the Wounds of Mother Loss One Step at a Time is a residential retreat focusing on mother loss & its effect on your life, how her absence shapes your identity, influences your style of mothering and relationships, how your grief surfaces throughout your lifetime, and how you experience living beyond your mother’s final years. This weekend could literally change your life.
Check out the facility for 2025 Residential Journey Retreat: The Spiritual Center of Maria Stein
Coming Soon: June 6-9 2025
We have secured a grant and applied it to the costs of the Journey Retreat. What does this mean to you? A lower registration fee! Here is the schedule for registration and costs:
Early Bird registration 4/6-4/15/25
$571.40 will be limited to first 10 registrations
Regular registration 4/16-5/15/25
$671.40
Late registration 5/16-5/22/25
$771.40
Registration closes on 5/22/25
Connection & Conversation Circles
Connection and Conversation Circles for Motherless Daughters provide a compassionate and supportive space for women navigating life without the presence of a nurturing mother. These circles offer an opportunity to share experiences, process emotions, and build connections with others who understand the complexities of this journey.
Each circle fosters open, judgment-free conversations, active listening, and shared wisdom, helping participants heal, grow, and find a sense of community. These circles create a safe, understanding environment where every woman’s story is valued and honored.
Each circle is once a week for 4-weeks. Check registrations for dates and times.
Fee is $59 for all 4 sessions.
Types of Circles we offer:
Circles for daughters who have had Mother Loss by suicide (MLS) provides a safe and compassionate space for processing grief, addressing complex emotions, and finding healing.
Scheduled for: June 3, 10,17, 24 12:30-2pm EST
Week 1: Acknowledging the Pain & Complexity of Suicide Loss
Week 2: Releasing Guilt & the “Why” Questions
Week 3: Finding Ways to Honor Her Memory
Week 4: Moving Forward with Healing & Hope
Surviving Loss Monthly Support Group
Mother loss is a lifelong grieving journey.
Not a week goes by that we are not impacted by our mother loss story. Whether it’s birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, kids’ school events, weddings or funerals, the triggers are all around us. We miss her and we want more time with her.
This 60-minute, online support group will focus on the journey towards healing: how to unpack these complex and often contrasting emotions and facing difficult obstacles that get in the way of healing.
Commit to yourself a time of new connections, effective tools and support from women who will get you and your story.
This support group is hosted/co-hosted by mother loss daughters.
$28.00
Connection & Conversation Circle - Mother Loss by Suicide
Connection and Conversation Circles for Motherless Daughters provide a compassionate and supportive space for women navigating life without the presence of a nurturing mother. These circles offer an opportunity to share experiences, process emotions, and build connections with others who understand the complexities of this journey.
Each circle fosters open, judgment-free conversations, active listening, and shared wisdom, helping participants heal, grow, and find a sense of community. These circles create a safe, understanding environment where every woman’s story is valued and honored.
Each circle is once a week for 4-weeks. Check registrations for dates and times.
Fee is $59 for all 4 sessions.
This community building experience provides a safe and compassionate space for processing grief, addressing complex emotions, and finding healing.
Scheduled for: June 3, 10,17, 24 12:30-2pm EST
Week 1: Acknowledging the Pain & Complexity of Suicide Loss
Week 2: Releasing Guilt & the “Why” Questions
Week 3: Finding Ways to Honor Her Memory
Week 4: Moving Forward with Healing & Hope
Breaking Free: Healing from a Narcissistic Mother Support Group
Having a mother who exhibits narcissistic behavior is a lonely and isolating experience.
Others don’t get it. She seems normal to the outside world, but behind closed doors it’s a different story. It is all about her. As we know too well, this relationship is a lifelong struggle.
This 1-hour, on-line support group will connect you with others who do get it and are seeking a path of healing. Each week we will explore a different topic related to narcissism in parenthood and its effects on you.
Commit to yourself a time of new connections, effective tools and support from women who will get you and your story.
This support group is hosted/co-hosted by a daughter of a narcissistic mother.
$28.00
Volunteering + Events
Corporate Event Sponsorship - Online Volunteering
Corporate Sponsorship for Journey Retreat.
Become a corporate sponsor for the event or sponsor an under-resourced Motherless Daughter for the Journey Retreat. The Journey Retreat is a four-day life-changing residential retreat. Corporations are encouraged to donate their branded materials for participants and provide financial support.
Suggestions:
1. Tee shirt for each participant and volunteer. MDM logo on front, “You are not alone” on back and sponsor logo on sleeve or front.
2. Raffle prizes to be given throughout retreat.
a. Each woman would get something ranging in value including gift certificates.
3. Food and drink
a. Wine
b. Food for a welcome reception (cheese plates, appetizers, etc.)
c. Snacks
d. Popcorn and popcorn bags with corporate name on them.
e. Water bottles
f. Table card holders
g. Napkins with sponsor names on them
4. Flowers. Each room would have a small arrangement in a single vase.
5. Flowers for registration table that could be used later in Wine and Cheese Reception.
6. Branded tote bags for an activity.
7. Hospitality Bags for each participant room (corporate logos.)
8. Items to go into Hospitality bags.
a. Paper
b. Pens
c. Journals
d. Snacks
e. Bottled water
f. Lotions, shampoos, cream rinse
g. Coloring books and Coloring Pencils
9. Lanyards for name tags.
10. Frames for certificates.
11. Letters of support to each participant.
12. Marketing flyer/pamphlet from sponsors
Respond to [email protected] for more information.
Journey Retreat Sponsorship
Individual or Group Sponsorship of an Under-Resourced Motherless Daughter.
You or a group you belong to can make a profound difference in a woman’s life. Sponsor an under-resourced Motherless Daughter for the Journey Retreat. Women are not the same when they complete this retreat.
The Journey Retreat is a four-day life-changing residential retreat. These women focus on these probing questions.
“Have you ever felt that losing your mother was much more than a physical death or loss of nurturing? The emotional loss is almost as overpowering. Have you wondered if there are other women who feel the same way and long to connect to each other? You are Not Alone! Maybe you’ve never even talked about your mother loss experience because it’s just too painful or uncomfortable. Maybe you need to read on because, this is for YOU!
This is your time to:
• Be affirmed
• Feel loved
• Have some time to quiet yourself and reflect
• Begin your healing journey
The Journey: Healing the Wounds of Mother Loss One Step at a Time is a residential retreat focusing on mother loss & its effect on your life, how her absence shapes your identity, influences your style of mothering and relationships, how your grief surfaces throughout your lifetime, and how you experience living beyond your mother’s final years. This weekend could literally change your life.
Ready to help? Go to https://www.motherlessdaughtersministry.com/giving/. Please designate your donation in the comments.
Questions? Contact [email protected]
Celebrity Sponsor Talent Search
Wonderful opportunity to help find a celebrity sponsor for the ministry. We are seeking local and national celebrity sponsors who have experienced mother loss. You would be researching the Cincinnati area along with celebrities nationally who support women. They must have experienced mother loss and be willing to tell their story. We are a faith based volunteer organization serving women who have lost or missed the nurturing care of a mother. Our ministry is a group of passionate volunteers dedicated to serving women who are motherless. Our growth has demanded that we serve our customers in new and inventive ways. The operational word is transitions!
Podcast Team
Participate in our podcast, Nurturing Words: Voices of Experience, as a scriptwriter, audio editor, interviewer, social media expert, or voice-over expert. Requirements: Maintain communication with the team; familiarity with ministry programming, resources, and core values; working knowledge of software used (Zoom, Buzzsprout, Audacity, Squadcast a plus). We will orient you to the use of these applications.
Recognition for you: Recognized as a member of the Podcast Team. Your picture and bio will be listed on the Communications page of our website.