When Chathem Hooper attended a meeting of Mothers of Preschoolers in Wayne, she was struck by two things: the group seemed to really benefit young moms, and this was the closest chapter to her home neighborhood.

And while the former remains the same, the latter was changed in January 2008 when Hooper, the mother of a 6-year-old and a 3-year-old, started a MOPS chapter in Philadelphia.

"It's a great way for moms to connect," Hooper said while scrawling out a last-minute agenda prior to last week's meeting at Roxborough's Pilgrim Church.

The Roxborough MOPS chapter meets the first Thursday of every month. The group also holds monthly special events, such as the upcoming trip to Sandy Hill Farm in Plymouth Meeting. Then there is the occasional "Moms Night Out" strictly for the women, a chance to grab a bite to eat, kid-free.

"We try to mix doing things with the kids and then having time just for the moms," Hooper said.

MOPS is an international organization with chapters nationwide and in Canada. According to information found on its Web site, MOPS was formed in February 1973, the first meeting taking place in Wheat Ridge, Colo. In 1981, a board of directors was established, and the group was incorporated. In 1988, the organization branched beyond U.S. borders.

Locally, the Roxborough chapter is perhaps the closest choice for moms residing in the city. There are chapters in Huntingdon Valley, Lansdale, Wayne, Dresher and Aldan.

If the enthusiasm of those who met last week is any indication, the gathering is indeed a boon for curious moms looking for pointers and good-natured commiseration.

"All the moms get a chance to refresh and revive for a few hours," said Lauren Tom, who joined up last year.

Tom, who lived in New Jersey prior to moving to Philly three years ago, said some Roxborough neighbors told her about the group, and Tom decided it was for her.

"A lot of the draw is for the immediate community, which makes it really cool," Tom said.

But because this is the only MOPS chapter in the vicinity, membership is open to anyone in the Greater Philadelphia area.

One aspect of the monthly meetings Tom enjoys is the guest speakers. Sometimes, they're paid speakers, and sometimes, they're members themselves. Such was the case last week when Chris Epstein talked about budget-saving tips like coupon clipping.

Epstein, a mother of six who joked that she is "significantly older" than many in attendance, said it's important to learn from others who have been through troubled times. The Epstein household was no different; her husband lost his job at the time they had their first child, who is now 19.

"I was the queen of coupons," Epstein told the group. "That was my job."

Epstein also talked about long-term budget tips, such as shopping around for better rates on car and home insurance.

As Epstein spoke to the group of women in one room, the sounds of play and laughter could be heard coming from an adjoining room. Many of the members bring their children to the meetings, since MOPS offers childcare. Hooper, the founder, joked that it's hard to hold a conversation with a loud child tugging at your clothing.

While the local chapter started out rather small less than two years ago, the Roxborough MOPS today has between 20 and 40 members, some more active than others, according to member Ana Shoemaker, who handles publicity for the group.

Since the local chapter is under the umbrella of the international organization, all members have to pay an annual fee of $23.95. This gets them a magazine subscription, a book and an electronic newsletter.

Shoemaker, 34, the mother of three children ages 13, 3 and 11 months, views this as a bargain, but said the real benefit of a group like MOPS is that mothers get to socialize and share tips.

"It's really a time for the moms to get away with other moms," she said.

While the local MOPS chapter is what Shoemaker terms "a pretty young group," they do open membership to older, more experienced mothers.

"We like the older women to come in because we gain from their experiences," she said. "We don't turn anyone away. We welcome everyone."

Shoemaker, who lives in Roxborough, has been involved with MOPS for close to a year. She learned about the program through Pilgrim Church, where she worships.

"I really enjoy it," she said. "There are times in the week where you just need to have other moms to talk to. It's really nice to go there and talk to people and realize you're not alone. The craziness in your life is how it is."

And because child care is offered during the meetings, which take place September through May, Shoemaker said the program is also beneficial to children since it offers an opportunity for socialization.

Prior to Epstein's guest speech, Hooper addressed the crowd, relaying what she has gotten out of membership in the group.

"This is where I feel the best," she said. "We hope you find this as a time to catch a breath of fresh air."

She went on to talk about the wonderfully beneficial experience she recently had, when she and fellow member Adrienne Wheeler, the group's hospitality coordinator, got a chance to attend a national MOPS convention in Tennessee. They were two of 4,000 MOPS members in attendance, who represented about 4,000 chapters across the country and in Canada.

"We're a small part of a really big thing going on," Hooper told the group. "It really gave me such encouragement that we can make a difference in our community. This convention was about being inspired about what we can do together."

Hooper said MOPS is important because it lets new moms know that they're not alone in the troubles they face, and the worries they deal with, and that there's always someone else out there who can empathize with any situation.

"No woman should be left by themselves," Hooper said. "This is not only for us to have something to come to once a month, but to also bring a friend. I hope this is a non-threatening place where you feel welcome."

To honor those who have faced difficult times, Hooper then handed out giveaways. One, a pouch to store coupons, went to the woman who went through the longest labor.

The winning time? A whopping 34 hours.

To learn more about the local MOPS chapter, visit www.phillymops.blogspot.com. For information about MOPS International, visit www.mops.org.

Reporter Jon Campisi can be reached at 215-354-3038 or jcampisi@phillynews.com