TOLEDO, Ohio — The Hot Mess Express, a nationwide nonprofit with chapters in 38 states, including one in northwest Ohio, lends a judgment-free helping hand to moms in need.
Caroline Hinde is a full-time firefighter and a full-time mom to a two-year-old little girl.
Having been a firefighter for the last five years, she knows the stress of juggling work, being a supportive partner and being a new mom. She dealt with some postpartum issues, too, and worked some part-time cleaning for other moms, she knows the life can get to be too much.
"Moms are superheroes. They are unmatched," Hinde said. "But at the end of the day, everybody deserves a little bit of help."
From child-rearing to laundry, dishes and countless other household duties, moms can easily become overwhelmed.
"Sometimes moms deserve and need a fresh start," Hinde said. "Sometimes it's hard and it's stressful on your own. No matter what kind of village you have."
Brittinie Tran, president and board chair of the Hot Mess Express, told WTOL 11 she's proud of how the organization has expanded across the U.S. with the message of moms helping moms.
"Hot Mess Express is such an amazing organization because we are helping to bring back the idea of a village. For me personally, I don’t have any family in the area and I recognized that need right away," Tran said. "The fact that we have grown to be in 38 states is amazing and just further shows this is a huge need that wasn’t being met."
That's why Hinde decided to start a Hot Mess Express chapter in northwest Ohio and become a Chaos Coordinator. She's looking for local volunteers to band together and to give moms who are nominated a break.
"It makes all the difference of me coming to them and cleaning and organizing and just being that helping hand," Hinde said.
Hinde has signed up 11 volunteers to help a mom in need but said she wouldn't mind more help. To sign up, visit the chapter's Facebook page.
And for those who are thinking about asking for help or know someone who needs help, Hinde is taking nominations.
"You can always ask for help. It doesn't matter how big, how small, how rich or how poor. Everybody deserves it," Hinde said.
You can also reach out to Hinde via email at hmelucascounty@gmail.com.