…these women hear that someone needs them, and they show up. They work hard, they care, and they don’t judge. That’s what makes this a village.”’
One of the first times Cherry Hill resident Ashley Fowler led a group of volunteers to the house of a stranger in need of a reset, they were responding to a request from a teenager. The girl wrote to Hot Mess Express explaining that her family’s living room had been ruined by flooding, and her mother’s health struggles made it impossible for them to keep up. With no place to gather, they had grown used to retreating to their bedrooms.
The teen said she missed simple things, like inviting friends over or sitting with her family on the couch.
So volunteers arrived with mops, pails and rags, ready to work. In a few hours, they cleared debris, scrubbed surfaces and put everything back in its place. That night, the girl sent Fowler a photo of her family sitting on couches in their reclaimed living room, watching TV together. “Thank you,” she wrote, “for giving us back our home.”
For Fowler, who leads the new Camden County chapter of Hot Mess Express, it was proof that their impact goes beyond cleaning homes. When a woman asks for help, it is often because she has run out of options, Fowler says. Then volunteers show up – sometimes even taking laundry to their homes to wash and fold – because, as she puts it, “We are the village they’ve been looking for.”
Hot Mess Express started in 2021 in North Carolina when one mother responded to another’s online post about struggling to keep up with her household chores. From that single act of support, it has grown into a nonprofit with more than 1,600 volunteers nationwide – including dozens now in South Jersey, where Fowler launched a chapter earlier this year.
Q: For people who haven’t heard of it, what is Hot Mess Express?
The idea is that women carry this mental load. We’re trying to do it all, and sometimes we just need help. Our tagline is, “We’re not a handout, we’re just a hand.”
Our chapter has helped overwhelmed moms with young kids whose playrooms were overflowing with toys. We’ve helped a woman with health issues who couldn’t get everyone to pick up after themselves. We’ve reorganized a basement for someone with mobility issues.
Anyone can nominate themselves or someone else who needs a reset. We do a walkthrough before every mission so we know what’s possible. Sometimes 15 volunteers show up, sometimes 3, so we set priorities with the nominee about which rooms matter most. We can’t take on hoarding or anything hazardous, but otherwise it’s just women using our life skills. It’s free, it’s no judgment – just a village showing up when you need it.
Q: Why did you decide to start the Camden County chapter?
My daughter is about to turn 18, and I realized I needed something of my own. I love being a mom, but as you get older, friendships shift and you lose that sense of community. At some point when everybody’s going through different phases of life, you kind of lose some friends and you go your different ways.
I just wanted to be around other women. When I saw Hot Mess Express on social media, it felt perfect.
We officially launched in February, did our first mission in June and have done 6 missions already. We’re all volunteers, all women, all over 18, and there’s no requirement for how much time you give. Any help is appreciated.
Q: Can you share a typical mission?
They really vary. We’re currently helping a woman who had been bedridden for months. She pulled herself out of a hoarding situation, which is incredible. She told me she had already taken out more than 50 bags of trash on her own, but the house still needs a deep clean. She also doesn’t have a washer and dryer, so there’s a lot of laundry she just hasn’t been able to get through.
Our volunteers immediately started stepping up. We set up a “laundry chain,” where women are taking loads home, washing and folding them, and will bring everything back so it’s ready to be put away for the deep clean. They’re so ready to help her and get everything done. That’s really what we’re all about.
Q: How can someone get involved?
On the national Hot Mess Express website, there’s a nomination form and a volunteer form, and you just pick Camden County as your chapter.
We also share information through social media. That’s how a lot of people find us. I post in neighborhood Facebook groups and special interest groups. I keep an Amazon wish list for supplies, since things like storage bins are always in demand. People can also donate gift cards. Even if you can’t volunteer your time, just sharing our posts is a big help.
And if someone isn’t sure whether their project fits – because of the scope of a project or if they live just outside Camden County – I always encourage them to reach out or submit a nomination. We can talk it through. I don’t want anyone to be afraid to ask.
Q: What do you hope people take away from what Hot Mess Express is doing here?
I thought I was just starting a hobby, but it’s turned into something more. It’s creating the kind of community I always wanted. Who hasn’t thought they’d love a helping hand every once in a while? But if you’ve never been in that helpless of a situation, you could never truly understand the impact.
Most of us were strangers at first, but now these women hear that someone needs them, and they show up. They work hard, they care, and they don’t judge. That’s what makes this a village. They’re amazing, and I am so proud of them.
Q: What tips would you give to women who feel overwhelmed at home?
Start small. Don’t look at the whole house. Give yourself one section to work on at a time, even if it’s just for 30 minutes. Setting a time limit makes it feel less overwhelming.
Clear bins and labels also make a big difference. When you can actually see what’s inside, you’re not constantly pulling everything out to find what you need.
And don’t be afraid to call your friends. Invite them over to fold laundry while you talk or to help declutter while you share a glass of wine. Sometimes we just need that village to step in. And sometimes we need to be that friend who jumps in without waiting to be asked.
