OC Moms Clubs: Celebrating Differences

Written by Nisha Morris

OC's Melting Pot Moms Club Chapters Welcome Families of All Beliefs and Ethnicities

Orange County has a population of over 3 million people spread across 34 cities and is home to a vast number of major industries and service organizations. Since its inception in 1889, the county has come to include features such as the Magic Kingdom, a top-notch public school system, world-renowned hospitals and a first-class coastline. However, with everything the county has to offer, cultural diversity is not one of them. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 46 percent of the OC population is White, followed by Hispanic at 34 percent. The Asian, Black and "Other" population combined total at 20 percent. Surprising? No. ypical of a well-developed, flourishing community...Yes.

One national organization has emerged to successfully integrate culture and diversity in OC's homogeneous environment: Melting Pot Moms (MPM). Its aim is simple: "Create a diverse and nurturing environment for our children, while promoting multiculturalism in our communities." Founded by the group's visionary, Angela Williams, MPM celebrates its mixture and supports each other's challenges faced in today's ecosystem.

"We want our kids to grow with a global awareness. This group allows us to share our everyday experiences with one another and helps our kids embrace their identity. It's one love, baby!" Williams explains.

The organization has over 220 members, seven well-established chapters and over 30 ethnicities combined, including Caucasian, African-American, Hispanic, German, Persian, and many, many more. There are two local chapters, one in North and one in South Orange County, and recently the group expanded its reach to New York, Texas, Massachusetts and Minnesota. Its ultimate goal: implement the group’s core values of community and diversity throughout the country.

Stephanie Soofi, group member since 2007, explains, "In Melting Pot Moms, we respect everyone's differences, and we want to share those differences with one another. It's from our experiences that we are able to learn and grow."

In addition to fun events such as Mom's Night Out, an entertaining "social event" at a local ethnic restaurant to experience "new flavors," the group is also actively involved in the community by providing educational seminars and workshops, and by partnering with local organizations, clubs, and businesses that support the vision of multicultural/multiracial harmony and family enrichment. MPM's latest project is raising funds for the victims of the recent earthquake in Japan. Rebecca Castillo, head of the North Orange County MPM Chapter states, "Whether it is a specific cultural event, or our weekly Sunday family events highlighting different cultures, we always strive to make a difference and have a positive impact on society as a whole."

MPM is a passionate group. It is rare to find a collective group of people who are so proud of who they are, where they come from and rejoice in one another's experiences while lending an ear during the many worldly obstacles. "I'm at home with this group," says Laura Jaime, member. "There is life beyond OC, and this group makes it possible," she concluded.

Although skeptics will have you believe that diversity is obsolete in Orange County, we can clearly see its presence through valuable groups like Melting Pot Moms. Today's children will grow in a global community. They will be more likely to travel to different parts of the world and be expected to know how to adapt to new settings as they become world citizens. MPM prepares children for such an adventure. "My children recognize that kids don't always look like their parents because of Melting Pot Moms," says Jeena Burnett, a MPM member. "MPM is a perfect place for any new mom who is dealing with being a new mom, as well as the additional component that being a multicultural family can present."

To learn more about Melting Pot Moms, visit www.MeltingPotMoms.org.

The children of the Melting Pot Moms Club gather at a park in Mission Viejo for a club event.