The adage says “it takes a village” to raise a child.
Across the Inland Empire, women from new mothers to wise matriarchs are finding their “village” in organizations that support moms.
These groups offer health services, counseling, parenting classes, gatherings and book clubs.
Here are some of them.
Riverside resident Lupita Ortega, seen with her son Enzo, gathers flowers during a Mother’s Day celebration at the New Mom School In Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday, May 7, 2026. (Photo by John Valenzuela, Contributing Photographer)
New Mom School welcomes mothers Thursday, May 7, 2026, for an early Mother’s Day celebration at its Rancho Cucamonga location. (Photo by John Valenzuela, Contributing Photographer)
New Mom School welcomes mothers Thursday, May 7, 2026, for an early Mother’s Day celebration at its Rancho Cucamonga location. (Photo by John Valenzuela, Contributing Photographer)
iKarina Saucedo and her son 7-month-old son Maximus attend an early Mother’s Day celebration at the New Mom School In Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday, May 7, 2026. (Photo by John Valenzuela, Contributing Photographer)
Program Manager Megan Stallman and Daniela Mejia, owner of New Mom School, pose Thursday, May 7, 2026, for a photo during an early Mother’s Day celebration in Rancho Cucamonga. (Photo by John Valenzuela, Contributing Photographer)
Photographer Karina Donaldson shoots Rancho Cucamonga resident Alexx Valencia and her 1-year-old son Nico during an early Mother’s Day celebration at New Mom School in Rancho Cucamonga. (Photo by John Valenzuela, Contributing Photographer)
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Riverside resident Lupita Ortega, seen with her son Enzo, gathers flowers during a Mother’s Day celebration at the New Mom School In Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday, May 7, 2026. (Photo by John Valenzuela, Contributing Photographer)
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New Mom School, Rancho Cucamonga
New Mom School, a nationwide franchise, offers education for pregnant women and those in the early years of motherhood. Weekly parenting classes are taught by child feeding, birth, safety and health experts and are geared toward moms of newborns to toddler age. Classes for new dads and second-time and working moms are given on some Saturdays. Topics include breastfeeding and maternal mental health, behavior management and how to start a child on solid foods. One class teaches how to babyproof homes and to properly strap in car seats.
Daniela Mejia, owner of the Rancho Cucamonga site, said overwhelmed moms are finding a comforting space with others in the same situation.
“It’s rare that you can go somewhere where there’s breastfeeding pillows, and a community welcoming you with open arms,” Mejia said.
A Thursday Mother’s Day celebration recognized past and prospective students.
New student Hannah Mahlstadt attended with her 3-month-old son, Dean. She said it’s easy to feel isolated, but “when you get together with others and get vulnerable, there is strength” in numbers and in learning together.
Address: 11940 Foothill Blvd, Suite 206, Rancho Cucamonga
Information: newmomschool.com, @newmomschool_ranchocucamonga
A mothers’ parenting class is seen at Walking with Moms in Need’s Mary’s Manger center in Chino. (Courtesy of Walking with Moms in Need)
Mothers and volunteers are seen April 11, 2026, at the Walking with Moms in Need Community Baby Shower in Chino. (Courtesy of Walking with Moms in Need)
Donations sent to Walking with Moms in Need and Mary’s Manger are seen in Chino. (Courtesy of Walking with Moms in Need)
Community volunteers, including the Rev. Uche Onyekwelu, of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, are seen with donations at Walking with Moms in Need’s Mary’s Manger center in Chino. (Courtesy of Walking with Moms in Need)
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A mothers’ parenting class is seen at Walking with Moms in Need’s Mary’s Manger center in Chino. (Courtesy of Walking with Moms in Need)
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Mary’s Manger
Kelly Schlegel said finding Mary’s Manger, a resource center for pregnant women and mothers run by Walking with Moms in Need, was a miracle.
The volunteer-run Chino center opened in 2025 in a small house at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, and pays no rent or utilities. All resources and donations support the ministry, which offers free services including pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, health counseling, weekly birth and parenting classes, higher education and housing resources. Rooms are filled with donated items such as baby formula, strollers, diapers and toys for those in need.
A community baby shower — complete with games, a cake and presents — in April honored moms who Schlegel said may not have had their own baby showers. Finding community and “a way to celebrate life” was the important for them, she said. The moms at Mary’s Manger, named for the Holy Family seeking shelter, are diverse and represent different faiths and backgrounds.
“We want to be the place where moms can come and have a safe place, where they can bring their unique baby into the world and feel supported,” Schlegel said. “Motherhood is a noble profession that’s worth investing in, nurturing the mothers who nurture.”
Address: 3683 Chino Ave. (Building B), Chino. Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Information: stpaulwalkingwithmoms.com, 909-896-6351, @marysmangerstpaul
Members gather at a meeting of the Las Comadres Book Club, a San Bernardino-based Latina book and social club for Inland Empire women. (Courtesy of Luz Elena Franco)
Members gather at a meeting of the Las Comadres Book Club, a San Bernardino-based Latina book and social club for Inland Empire women. (Courtesy of Luz Elena Franco)
Las Comadres Book Club members gather at a meeting at the Social Butterfly House. The San Bernardino-based Latina book and social club is for women across the Inland Empire. (Courtesy of Luz Elena Franco)
Members gather at a meeting of the Las Comadres Book Club, a San Bernardino-based Latina book and social club for Inland Empire women. (Courtesy of Luz Elena Franco)
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Members gather at a meeting of the Las Comadres Book Club, a San Bernardino-based Latina book and social club for Inland Empire women. (Courtesy of Luz Elena Franco)
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Las Comadres Book Club, San Bernardino
Luz Elena Franco said starting a book club named after “las comadres” honored the strong relationships among Latina women.
Franco’s San Bernardino-based club caters to women, from young adults to older matriarchs. The nearly 200-member group meets monthly, in person and via Zoom. Many mothers go to events with their daughters, aunts and grandmothers to socialize and tackle book themes from generational trauma to immigration. Discussing Latina authors is the goal, she said, in addition to providing camaraderie.
“Many have told me (the book club) has turned out to be their life-saving thing, that takes them out of their everyday schedule,” Franco said. “It’s their time for themselves.”
A “Pinkies Up” Mother’s Day book club meeting is set for Sunday, May 17, at a member’s home in San Bernardino. Members will discuss the May books of the month, “Threads of Her Braid” and “Solito.”
Information: @las_comadresbookclub
FIT4MOM Corona chapter moms, with their babies and strollers, work out at a park. (Courtesy of FIT4MOM Corona)
FIT4MOM Corona chapter moms work out with their children in a neighborhood. (Courtesy of FIT4MOM Corona)
A FIT4MOM Corona chapter moms’ run club prepares for a race in Redlands. (Courtesy of FIT4MOM Corona)
Members of Lit4Mom, Corona’s FIT4MOM book club, are seen at a 2025 Christmas social. (Courtesy of FIT4MOM Corona)
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FIT4MOM Corona chapter moms, with their babies and strollers, work out at a park. (Courtesy of FIT4MOM Corona)
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FIT4MOM
FIT4MOM, a nationwide prenatal and postnatal fitness program, has Inland Empire groups meeting weekly in places such as Corona, Eastvale, Chino Valley, the Inland Valley, Riverside, the Temecula Valley and Redlands.
Coach Kari Kaucher of FIT4MOM Corona said the program lets mothers bring their stroller-age children to parks for an hour-long strength, cardio and full-body workout. At the end of each session, kids play as moms talk. The program has its own book club, “Lit4Mom.”
“FIT4MOM is a great way for you to meet other women in the same stage of life as you — in the trenches, changing diapers, putting out those tantrums, figuring out what’s for dinner, holding down the fort,” Kaucher said.
Information: fit4mom.com
“CommuniTEA” at the IE LGBTQ+ Center
A program at TruEvolution’s Inland Empire LGBTQ+ Center in downtown Riverside is the monthly “CommuniTEA” series.
It’s where parents and caregivers of LGBTQ+ youth — and LGBTQ+ parents themselves — gather. It’s designed to foster honest conversations, resource-sharing and meaningful connections so all feel seen, supported and connected, organizers said.
“We want LGBTQ+ parents, guardians, caregivers and families of queer and trans youth to know they are not alone,” center Director Toi Thibodeaux said.
Information: @truiecenter