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On Wednesday, family childcare providers from across Mower County will gather for the first-ever PEPP (Providers Empowering Providers and Parents) Mental Health Social, an event dedicated to supporting the mental wellbeing of those who care for our youngest learners.

Made possible by a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, this unique gathering offers family childcare providers a chance to connect, relax, and recharge. As small business owners and critical members of our local workforce support system, these providers often focus all their energy on the wellbeing of others—leaving little time to prioritize their own mental health.

“This is about giving back to those who give so much,” event organizer MaKayla Oxley, Austin Aspires shared. “We want our providers to feel seen, appreciated, and supported—not just professionally, but personally.”

The event will take place in partnership with Super Fresh Garden Center, which is providing a calming, beautiful setting for the evening. Attendees will enjoy tea and freshly baked treats, guided mindfulness activities, and the chance to pot plants and engage in meaningful adult conversation—something that can be a rarity in their daily routines.

The event will be held between 5:30-7:30 p.m.