By Kadie Taylor | The Observer
AUBURN — Visit Well Red Second Story on Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a Java and Juniors event, where moms and caregivers can join together over a cup of coffee.
“I think it was really important to find something in person and get moms out of the house, because that’s regardless of if you work from home, if you’re a stay at home mom or you work out of the house, there’s a difference between going to work, staying home with the kid and going out and actually interacting with other adults,” said Java and Juniors Organizer, Kat Johnson. “I felt like it was important for us to make in-person connections when so much of everybody’s lives is online these days.”
Johnson said she was inspired to begin Java and Juniors as she was searching for support as a new mom.
“In April, I gave birth to my first son, my first baby boy, and met another gal through the Auburn Opelika moms group on Facebook,” she said. “I posted in the Auburn Opelika mom’s group, if there was any type of get together like that, and if there wasn’t, would people be interested in it kind of like a coffee group type thing. A bunch of moms said, ‘Yes.’ And so I was like, Okay, well, I guess this is the Lord telling me that this is my next step, and this is what He has planned for me, is to start this mom’s group.”
Since beginning Java and Juniors, Johnson said the event has provided a space for moms to show up and spend time together.
“We got together, and none of us were on time, as moms are so, and we’re all first-time moms, so we’re still learning routines and stuff like that, and how to get out the door in one piece, let alone get there on time,” she said. “We ended up staying there for like the whole two and a half to three hours, depending on when we all got there. We were just sitting, talking, sharing experiences and getting to know each other.”
Johnson said she hopes Java and Juniors will grow to serve a variety of needs for people in the community.
“Hopefully, we get more moms to join, moms, grandmas, caregivers, really, anybody,” she said. “I’d love for it to look like maybe a couple of different groups, because I know some of the moms may not be able to meet on weekends. Maybe they’re looking for an early afternoon meet up or something, maybe a couple different groups that get together during different times throughout the week and weekends as the weather changes, maybe a different location other than a coffee shop.”
Java and Juniors is a space for moms and caregivers of children of all ages, but Johnson said it is requested that those who attend purchase an item from Well Red Second Story.
You can definitely bring juice and water and snacks for the kids,” she said. “The coffee shop does request that no outside food or drink for adults, and that every adult that comes purchase at east one item. All caregivers and walks of life are welcome.”
Johnson said she believes Java and Juniors will increase a community of support and create a space for those raising children to build relationships with one another.
“The saying, ‘it takes a village is absolutely true,’” she said. “So your village doesn’t necessarily need to be blood family, your next-door neighbor or anything like that. Your village can be whoever you want it to be. You were in charge of building your own village to help raise your family and getting the best resources available to you.”
For more information, search for Java and Juniors on the Auburn Opelika Moms Facebook page.
