Photo by Sam Yu Amy Beekley of Frederick is a full-time county employee and the mother of two children. In her spare time she runs a community service project called "The Return to Work Program" which helps prepare moms rejoining the workforce. Some of the materials for the project are on the table.

Amy Beekley, a working mom, has launched the Return to Work Program to help such women through her Flexible Workforce community service project. Being in the human resources field, Beekley recognized the need for some support for women going back to work.

She remembered that the transition back to work after her first child was very difficult. She had been in a playgroup for a time, and transitioning from having regular support to no support was a challenge. After having a second child, she knew that helping other women was important to her.

Beekley found that upon returning to work, women were isolated from other moms -- a major source of support from stay-at-home moms. Even within the workplace, mothers are disconnected from other working moms, Beekley said. The community so many moms count on just isn't there.

"I'm hoping that the project itself can foster a sense of community," she said.

Beekley has organized supportive materials and samples from local businesses and arranged them in a gift pack. Before Beekley sends moms their Return to Work package, she asks them to fill out a survey to let her get to know them better. This will help her personalize the package a bit more.

In the gift pack may be information and coupons from Golden Orchid spa, brochures on parenting classes from Frederick Memorial Hospital Wellness Center, information on local support groups, FrederickMommies.com, child care resources and much more.

Depending on the age of children when moms return to work will determine in part what materials Beekley puts into the package, as a mother of older children would not need information, for example, on breastfeeding.

As added support, Beekley asks women to blog their experiences on her website so that both "veteran" working moms and those just coming into the workforce can see if others are having the same feelings and challenges as they are. Since beginning the project earlier this year, 15 women have participated.

Many of the women who have connected with Beekley are in her similar situation -- they stayed home longer with the first child, then went back to work sooner after having a second.

"It's harder to go back to work the second time," she said.

Areas in which working moms struggle include finding daycare they are comfortable with, the guilt of leaving a child in day care, and lack of flexibility in the workplace.

"Flexibility if a big issue for those who have been out (of the workplace) for years," said Beekley, who likens the return to work as "culture shock." These moms are used to being able to run errands when needed. Plus, many are working an hour away from home, which makes it difficult emotionally to be available when a child is sick or otherwise needs them.

There is also the issue of women interested in working part time, or flexing their hours to work early mornings or late evenings, as well as the ability to leave in the middle of the day if their child is sick.

Julie Relunia of Frederick returned to work when her youngest child was 6 months old. She, like other women, was uplifted by receiving information, freebies and most importantly an avenue for support during the transition. She said Beekley came to her workplace to deliver the gift pack.

"The fact that someone is making an effort to make us feel more comfortable" is great, Relunia said.

"No one understands other than another mother about putting kids in day care, working 9-to-5, coming home to do the laundry, and more," Relunia said. "It's darn near impossible." Relunia and Beekley stay in contact, which adds an ongoing level of support.

A degree of support is also what Stacey Shorb of Frederick is hoping for in connecting with other moms. Shorb is fortunate in that she has understanding co-workers, many of whom are mothers themselves, and a good child care arrangement for her two children. Her concerns mainly centered on breastfeeding.

Although she has not had a chance to look at the materials in the pack yet, Shorb said she is glad that there is a network of moms who can share ideas and offer knowledge on a range of parenting subjects.

The project, to date, has been funded by Beekley. She is hopeful to incorporate eventually as a 501(c)3 business. She is also hoping to broaden her scope of distribution to include day care centers and family-friendly businesses in the area.

For more information about the Return to Work Gift Packs, e-mail Beekley at flexibleworkforce@gmail.com.