New York City Rescue Mission Steps In For Moms In Need

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The New York City Rescue Mission put on a special event this weekend for homeless mothers and women in need.

As WCBS 880's Mike Smeltz reported, the event called Honor Her is focused on providing a good meal and a good day.

Mother's Day, of course, is meant to be a celebration for all things mom.

"But if you're a woman and you're homeless, it's a totally different feel. There's not much joy connected to it; actually a lot of sense of loss," said Rescue Mission chief executive officer Craig Mayes.

Mayes said many homeless moms are separated from their kids. To try to make a painful weekend into a positive, the mission put on the banquet event.

The mothers are treated with a coursed meal plated on china, and afterward, there is a surprise.

"They thought they were coming for just a meal, but they go across the street to the old firehouse, and they get a complete makeover and they get cosmetics," Mayes said.

This event served more than 700 women, mothers and kids in need of a helping hand.