ORLANDO, Fla. – In the heart of Lake Nona, a new community is being built. But this one isn’t constructed with blocks and mortar, it’s built on shared experience and friendship.

Gena Gray welcomed visitors to the community room at the Novel Nona apartments. It was something she had been looking forward to for months.

“The plan is finally, finally coming together,” Gray said with a smile.

Gray is the founder of Mommy Wants a Break, an online group for moms, and this is the first time members are meeting in person.

The initiative is designed to empower women, particularly mothers, by providing a supportive network and promoting mental health awareness and self-care.

Gray, expressed her excitement and a bit of nervousness as women filled into the space.

She explained that the program aims to help women who have moved to Central Florida and don’t have family or friends nearby for support.

“I’m one of those women,” Gray said. “No one is really from here, we move here and leave our family and friends and everything we knew. So we’re missing those connections.”

Jamie Arambulo, mother of two young boys, moved here recently and was looking to make new connections. “Orlando is huge,” Arambulo said. “It’s hard to make new friends.”

“This initiative is to help improve that,” Gray said. “We’ll also talk about mental health awareness, self-care, and things of that sort.”

The event began with attendees checking in and choosing cards that resonated with them, such as “fitness enthusiast” or “movie buff,” to facilitate conversations. The goal was to open dialogue among mothers, allowing them to learn about each other and form meaningful connections.

Joseph Gray, Gena’s husband nominated her for the News 6 Getting Results award. He praised her efforts, saying, “I feel she’s doing something really good for the community, and I think she deserves the recognition.” He highlighted the importance of giving women, who are often the backbone of families, a chance to take a break and focus on themselves.

Attendee Beena Patel shared her experience expressing the difficulty of meeting other moms due to a busy lifestyle. “It’s hard to find other moms in the area because we’re so busy,” Patel said. “I’ve already met a couple of women and made some contacts, hopefully we can keep in touch. It’s great to meet new ladies that I probably wouldn’t have otherwise met.”

Panya Campbell, a mother of four, appreciated the opportunity to unite with other women and share common experiences. She emphasized the importance of supporting one another and feeding off each other’s motivation.

Gray’s personal journey, including the loss of her daughter Princess, has fueled her passion for supporting mothers and children. She shared, “Everything that I’ve done up until now has all been focused on mothers and children.”

The event was a success, with many mothers expressing gratitude for the chance to connect and share their stories. Gena plans to host monthly events, focusing on mental health awareness and family-friendly activities, to continue fostering these connections.

“Mommy Wants a Break” is more than just a community initiative; it’s a safe space for mothers to remember that it’s okay to take a break and prioritize their well-being.

As Gena Gray puts it, “Ultimately, this is about moms. It’s about us.”

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