We help break the cycle of poverty and build brighter futures for their families. Hope for Single Moms is the only nonprofit in Michigan with the sole focus of removing the barriers single moms have to getting a career education. HSM uses a teach-a-woman-to-fish approach to financial stability and family unity. This incorporates career training, budgeting, parenting advice/classes, and family time
. Rather than re-invent the wheel, Hope for Single Moms networks with area social services, colleges and trade programs, and other nonprofits serving low-income families. They then raise a family team of support, a Dream team, to help with the unmet needs. HSM believes a comprehensive approach is essential to building strong families. Each student parent has a mentor and a life assistance team. A mom mentor checks with her “mom” weekly and arranges time together, monthly. She also makes sure “her family” makes the time and has the resources for activities, meals together and to establish family traditions. The life assistance team, with the mentor, makes sure their “mom” and “children’s” birthdays are celebrated. The team also helps regarding any special need that arises, such as meals during school projects, midterms and finals. They may address transportation or childcare issues or refer them to the organization. Hope for Single Moms Dream team donations go to their family. The team is invited to celebrate their client’s graduation. HSM gives West Michigan the opportunity to help these families with a back-to-school drive, and Christmas gift and Easter basket drives. HSM also holds an annual fashion show fundraiser, Fashion for a Future. In addition to donations, it raises the community’s awareness of the single mom family struggle. Fighting poverty and childhood hunger in single mom families is complex. Addressing it is as variable as the circumstances that got these families there. Love and encouragement go a long way toward a single mom success story. Our FREE career consultation not only gives single moms a career path and goal, but we assess whether she is ready to be successful at school, parenting and homework. We want her to have a firm foundation, so she has the best chance of success. There are four pillars to our program. EDUCATION - A career education is the key to moving single mom families from poverty to prosperity. In fact, a post-high school education will double her lifetime earnings. MENTORING - Areas available are academic (see our free career consultation), emotional, financial and spiritual. COMMUNITY - Hope for Single Moms will connect clients with a single mom support group. We will also provide community with other student parents. Our goal is to have churches provide special events just for the moms, as well as family events. LIFE ASSISTANCE - For that reason, Hope for Single Moms wants every mom to have a mentor as part of her life assistance team. This team serves as her second “family” and helps with the challenges life brings her way. See how your church can have a life assistance team.
