The 'Weird Moms Club' helps clothe kids in need

Haley Ballenger started the Weird Moms Club as a way to connect with other local moms—but their idea to swap clothing transformed into a thriving nonprofit that gives support to families who need it most

- Bill Holton

What if I join a book club?” Haley Ballenger asked her husband, Coy, after moving from Houston to Fort Worth, Texas. “It could help me make new friends.” To her delight, the shy mom of two found a local group and soon connected with a new friend named Casey.

Haley and Casey began meeting regularly and discovered they had a lot in common. They both enjoyed true crime dramas and books and had tattoos.

Haley jokingly dubbed their friendship the “Weird Moms Club.” One day after their book club, she had a thought: “I bet there are a lot of other weird moms who'd love to join us.”

That night, Haley created the Fort Worth Weird Moms Club Facebook group. If you're shy, awkward and sometimes feel a bit weird, come join us, she wrote. Responses began pouring in.

Haley hosted club meetings at her home, and a frequent topic of discussion was kids’ clothes.