Mission Statement

History of  Organization

Mothers’ Voices is a national non-profit organization that conducts programs that give parents the skills they need to communicate with their children about sexual health and HIV/STD prevention.  Originally founded in New York in 1991 in response to the AIDS epidemic, the South Florida chapter was established in 1996 when founder, Barbara Gaynor, lost her 34-year old son, Johnny to AIDS. 

Turning pain into purpose, Ms. Gaynor, together with other mothers who had suffered the devastation the HIV virus left on their families, recognized the need to make parents their children’s frontline sexual health educator.  With a professionally developed curriculum, these passionate volunteers launched a movement whose mission is to strengthen family communication about sexual health and HIV prevention through education and awareness. 

To date, Mothers’ Voices has reached over 23,000 parents and families with their programs, materials and outreach activities.   The national headquarters is located in South Florida.

Although numerous programs are available to teach children about sexuality and disease prevention, none bring this important education to the center of family life.  Mothers’ Voices is a unique approach that teaches parents to establish open communication that is age-appropriate and fits within each families cultural, moral, and religious ideals.  Research shows that children who engage in ongoing dialogue with their parents about sexual issues, are more likely to postpone early sexual activity, avoid risky sexual behavior, and develop into sexually healthy youth.