Time for mom

Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon about 30 women from the Oak View

community take time out to take care of themselves.

A quick indulgence in an aerobics class at the Oak View Family Center

in Huntington Beach is the only time many of them have to relieve the

stresses and frustrations of motherhood -- and financial struggles.

The class is predominantly Latina. Many in the class work part-time,

trying to piece together a living for their families. Almost all have

children, leaving little free time for their own interests or well being.

But this 90-minute reprise from the responsibilities of motherhood is

in danger of disappearing.

The Children’s Bureau of Southern California, which sponsors the

class, said it could be cut in May 2000 unless alternative funding is

found.

And although the drab studio bordered by white concrete walls may not

look impressive, the mothers who attend the class say it is indispensable

and are determined to see it continue.

“We are going to petition for more funding,” said class participant

Margarita Delgado.

Indeed, when the class was financially threatened last summer, the

women, most of whom have a household income of less than $10,000 a year,

according to the Children’s Bureau, used their own money to keep the

class running.

After one Thursday class, the mothers beamed with gratitude for the

opportunity to get in shape.

“Aerobics helps me relax and relieve stress,” Irene Cortes said in

Spanish as she cradled her infant.

“The teacher helps us stay healthy and gives us tips about our diet,”

Delgado added.

The relationship between the instructor, Tami Fields, and the students

is one of the big reasons the class is so special for the mothers.

“This class is incredibly rewarding,” Fields said. “The women here

embraced me from the moment I arrived.”

Although Fields sometimes struggles with language barriers -- she

speaks limited Spanish and many of the mothers do not speak any English

-- she has connected with her students.

“Aerobics allows us to externalize our stress,” Fields said. “My class

allows the women to do something for themselves without feeling guilty or

selfish.”

Program Coordinator Tessa Charnofsky also is trying to seek funding

for the class.

“We are trying to get grants from various sources to continue the

class,” Charnofsky said.

Although the class would probably resume in October 2000 if additional

funding can be found for the next budget cycle, the gap from May to

October would be devastating.

“This class helps the women be better mothers,” Charnofsky said.

Funding for the class is constantly in danger of being cut off. Money

for the program is taken from the same grant that funds the Oak View

Community Collaborative’s other programs, said Dorothy Nieto-Manzer,

director of the Children’s Bureau. The $200,000 annual county grant

includes parenting classes, afterschool help for students, and gang

prevention programs, Nieto-Manzer said.

The aerobics class was not written into the grant and was only offered

due to popular demand after funds were left over from the other programs.

So when funding ends in May, there is no guarantee that it will continue.

“We will have to re-examine our budget and see if there is money

available,” Nieto-Manzer said.

The aerobics program is the only one of its kind available to the

community. Lessons are free, and participants need only prove they are

from the Oak View community to join.

The presence of children and a child-care specialist also adds to the

unique family atmosphere of the class.

Strollers and toys line the walls of the gym. Even Fields’ 5-year-old

son, Harley, is on hand to accompany his mother as she leads the class.

Other kids join in with the fun, doing exercises along with their

mothers.

Dealing with the responsibilities of motherhood is what the class is

all about, said Fields.

“When women give birth, they often take on the role of being a mother

to the exclusion of other activities they might have enjoyed,” Fields

said. “But if we are happier people, this will reflect on our children.”