Resources

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In my book Power of Presence, I write about the need to have a group of

caring friends and relatives - a pride - who surround a family with love and

support, to help those of us who are struggling navigate the waters of single

parenthood. But a pride for many is more than people power. A pride

sometimes has to expand to include a community of organizations that

connect resources and supports that we may need in looking for a home, or

food, or legal assistance, a safe haven, advice in making our dollars stretch, or

organizations that will enrich the lives of our children.

The following list of resources were carefully selected to provide help

when there is a need. Most of these resources are free but all have been tested

by time and effectiveness. If you need it, don’t be afraid or ashamed to seek

help. We all need it from time to time.

NEED HELP IN FINDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUR KIDS AT ANY

AGE?

4- H - Free: https://4-h.org - You can find your local 4-H to find the right program for your child

that fits within a family budget and schedule, meet 1/week to 1/month.

After School All Stars https://afterschoolallstars.org/give/get-involved

Programs only take place at Title I schools where more than 50% of students qualify for the

Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program, in over 350+ school sites across the U.S.

AllStar Code http://www.allstarcode.org/ - Free: This program, founded in 2014 by the

daughter of entrepreneur Reginald F. Lewis, provides young men of color the skills, networks

and mindsets they need to succeed in coding and computer programs so they can create new

futures through technology.

Boys and Girls Club of America https://www.bgca.org/programs - Free: Can easily find a

club in your community that offers innovative programs designed to empower youth to excel in

school, become good citizens and lead healthy, and productive lives.

Camp Fire http://campfire.org/programs/out-of-school-time/after-school Free: Camp Fire

partners with schools in many communities to deliver programming before and after school.

Programs vary by location. Contact your local Camp Fire office for information about programs,

activities, and volunteer opportunities in your area.

Campaign for Grade-Level Reading http://gradelevelreading.net – Free: A national network of

civic leaders, policymakers, advocates, community organizations and families committed to

making sure kids are reading on grade level by the fourth grade. More than forty states, Puerto

Rico, the Virgin Island, the District of Columbia and Calgary, Canada have made this goal a top

priority.

Child Care Aware http://www.childcareaware.org/ - Free: State by State Resources Map for

Families, to locate safe and affordable child care in your ZIP code. It does this by connecting

parents with child care providers throughout the country.

Girls Inc. http://www.girlsinc.org/findagirlsinc./girls-inc-usa-and-canada.html/ - Free: Girls

Inc. delivers life-changing programs that inspire girls to be strong, smart, and bold. The network

of local Girls Inc. nonprofit organizations serves girls ages 6 - 18 annually.

Head Start https://www.acf.hhs.gov - Free: Community Head Start Locator to find out

eligibility guidelines and application process for early childcare 0-5.

YMCA http://www.ymca.net/ - Free: Can find your YMCA by searching with your city, state or

zip code and then reach out to them to see what afterschool programs are available in your area.

NEED HELP WITH CHILD SUPPORT?

Divorce Headquarters, Inc. http://www.divorcehq.com/ - Free: From finding an attorney to

Children’s and Grandparent’s Rights to Child Support guidelines. An online state-wide calculator

is available.

Office of Child Support Enforcement https://www.acf.hhs.gov - Free: Find your state on a map to email or call your local child support office.

They will help you open a case, change the amount of your child support payments, if

appropriate, and answer specific questions about your case.

NEED HELP FINANCING COLLEGE AND OTHER POST-SECONDARY

OPPORTUNTIES?

Madison Trust Company: Money for College: A Guide to Scholarships and Financial Aid. https://www.madisontrust.com/client-resources/articles/money-for-college-guide-to-scholarships-and-financial-aid/ Several avenues available to help secure financial aid for those entering the world of higher education. Financial aid is money you can apply for to help pay for college.

Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation http://www.newcombefoundation.org/ - Free: If you are

35 or older, and have done well in college thus far, you may be able to get a scholarship from

Newcombe. Awards are made directly to the college or university.

Fastweb http://www.fastweb.com/ - Free: Leading online resource for finding scholarships for

all students, with special search capacity for bilingual students, Hispanics, African Americans,

and veterans. Fastweb members are matched to relevant scholarship opportunities completely

free of charge.

Federal Student Aid http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ - Free: The first step in getting any kind of free

or low-interest funding for college.

Soroptimist -Best for Women http://www.soroptimist.org/ - Free: Education and training

awards for women. Each year, more than $1.7 million in education grants are awarded to more

than 1,300 women, many have overcome enormous obstacles including poverty, domestic

violence and/or drug and alcohol abuse. Live Your Dream Awards recipients may use the cash

award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher ed: books, childcare, tuition

and transportation.

U.S. Department of Education https://www2.ed.gov/programs/ - Free - The Federal

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant FSEOG Program provides need-based grants to

help low-income undergraduate students finance the costs of postsecondary education. Institution

must give priority to those students with “exceptional need” (those with the lowest Expected

Family Contributions who are also Federal Pell Grant Recipients).

NEED HELP FIGHTING FOOD INSECURITY?

211.org http://www.211.org - Free: This is a national clearinghouse that is a free and

confidential service that helps people across the US and in many parts of Canada find local

resources, including food banks.

Catholic Charities https://catholiccharitiesusa.org/ - Varies: Catholic Charities provides critical

services to people with a low income. Many of the services are offered on a sliding scale. Their

programs include support for finding affordable housing, providing information on food

assistance, and counseling to empower people to find better paying employment.

Feeding America http://www.feedingamerica.org/ - Free; Provides a food bank locator to find

pantries near you if you need food today. You can also apply for a SNAP card through the

agency.

Summer Food Rocks https://www.fns.usda.gov/summerfoodrocks/ -Free: Nutritious free meals

are available for children and teens 18 and younger at many locations throughout the nation

throughout the summer while school is out of session. Website provides a mapping tool to find a

site near you.

Food Pantries.org http://www.foodpantries.org/ - Free: Lists food pantries by state.

National School Lunch Program https://www.fns.usda.gov/energizing-your-day-school-breakfast-introduction-school-breakfast-promotion-efforts-pcfsn-and-usda - Free: Provides links to application, eligibility requirements, rates of

reimbursement and fact sheet.

School Breakfast Program https://www.fns.usda.gov/sbp/school-breakfast-program-sbp/ -

Free: Provides links to application, eligibility requirements, rates of reimbursement and fact

sheet.

SNAP https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/state-directory - Free: This is the Supplemental Nutrition

Assistance Program. Many states will now allow you to apply for a SNAP card online. Begin by

researching the SNAP eligibility requirements to see if you are eligible for grocery shopping

dollars in your state.

WIC https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/women-infants-and-children-wic/ - Free: The Women,

Infant and Children program site provides a prescreening Tool to see if you are eligible for WIC

benefits. The tool is offered in many languages. WIC provides Federal grants to States for

supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant,

breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age

five who are found to be at nutritional risk.

NEED LEGAL ADVICE?

Attorneys.com http://www.attorneys.com/child-custody/custody-rights-the-singlemother/

Free: Good place to start if you need to learn what your custody rights are.

Legal Services Corporation http://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/who-we-are/ - Free: Legal Services

Corporation provides legal advice on civil matters to qualified, low-income individuals.

Legal Match https://www.legalmatch.com - Free: Legal match will help

you find the right lawyer based on your city or county, on the specifics of the consumer's case

and the lawyer's location and area of legal practice.

NEED HELP IN ENHANCING THE PEOPLE POWER OF YOUR PRIDE?

211.org http://www.211.org/ -Free: A number of churches attempt to help needy families

provide Christmas presents or holiday dinners. To find out who in your area is offering

assistance call 211 and ask for local church listings.

American Association of Retired Persons http://www.aarp.org/experience-corps/ -Free:

AARP Foundation Experience Corps is an intergenerational volunteer-based tutoring program

that is proven to help children who aren’t reading at grade level become great readers by the end

of third grade.

CNCS https://www.nationalservice.gov/ - Free: Through the Corporation for National and

Community Service volunteers are investing their time, energy and talent to improve the lives of

others and strengthening their communities. In the process, they are building a more engaged

society and becoming leaders in civic life.

Generations United https://www.gu.org/ Free: The mission of Generations United is to

improve the lives of children youth and older people through intergenerational collaboration,

public policies, and programs for the enduring benefit of all.

iMentor https://imentor.org/ - Free: iMentor builds mentoring relationships that empower 

first generation students from low-income communities to graduate high school, succeed in college,

and achieve their ambitions. Operating in three areas of the country – New York City, Chicago

and the Bay Area of California – iMentor provides mentors to 44 schools, who have to commit to

mentoring that student for at least three years.

International Mentoring Association http://mentoringassociation.org/ - Free: Provides access

to monthly mentoring webinars, newsletter and quarterly magazine.

Marine Toys For Tots https://www.toysfortots.org/donate/locate.aspx/ Free: You can

enter your address to see what local Toys for Tots Campaigns are in your area and call the centers

directly to see how you can apply and request a toy.

Mentoring.org http://www.mentoring.org/ - Free: The only national database of youth

mentoring programs connecting volunteers to opportunities in their local communities.

Mentoring USA http://www.mentoringusa.org/ - Free: The nation’s first state-wide, school

based, one-to-one mentoring program that promotes volunteerism and recruiting of more

mentors.

National CARES Mentoring Movement http://www.caresmentoring.org/ - Free: National

CARES Mentoring Movement has launched The Risings, consciousness-changing, group mentoring

initiatives equal to the crisis our under-resourced children are facing.

Salvation Army Christmas Assistance http://salvationarmyusa.org/

usn/christmas-assistance/ Free: Donations and financial assistance provide Christmas dinners,

clothing, and toys for families in need, including families of prisoners. Contact your local Corps

Community Center by using the location search, most locations begin registration as early as

October.

NEED HELP FINDING A PLACE TO LIVE?

UpHomes https://www.uphomes.com/blog/buy-house-single-parent.html Guide titled "How to Buy a House as a Single Parent." This guide was designed to help single parents get into the home that they and their children need and so rightfully deserve. 

211.org http://www.211.org/ - Free: Many churches are able to pay some or all of your

living expenses for up to one month. To be connected with who helps in your area, go to the

national 211 website.

Bridge of Hope https://bridgeofhopeinc.org/ - Free: This is a Christian-based organization.

They reach out to churches to find people who are willing to help homeless women and children.

Bridge of Hope provides opportunities for those who want to help and be helped. Women

wanting help must be U.S. citizens and they must be homeless.

Catholic Charities https://catholiccharitiesusa.org/efforts/affordable-housing/ Free: Catholic

Charities, among other goals, works to prevent homelessness by providing financial assistance

for rent, mortgage or utility payments; and by helping to resolve issues that may lead to

homelessness. Contact your local Catholic Charities to see what housing options are in your area.

CoAbode http://www.coabode.org/about/article/1/ - Free: CoAbode is nationwide and in

Canada. Membership is free to help you locate members in your community to connect for house

sharing. Matches based on shared values, personalities and goals.

Habitat for Humanity http://www.habitat.org/getinv/apply.aspx/ -Free: Requires you to

help build homes before you get one of your own. Homebuyers invest hundreds of hours of their

own labor, called sweat equity, working alongside volunteers and other Habitat homeowners.

HUD https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/buying_a_home/ Free: The

Department of Housing and Urban Development has different programs available to help you

buy your dream home. For information on renting a HUD subsidized housing unit, search this

HUD site. https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/rental_assistance/

Housing Choice Voucher Programs and HUD Public Housing Program for rental assistance.

Making Homes Affordable https://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/pages/default.aspx/

Free: If you have a home, having difficulty paying your mortgage, need help from a housing

counselor, and need to know what your mortgage assistance options are available - this is a good

start.

Mercy Housing https://www.mercyhousing.org

Free: Representing 60 percent of Mercy Housing's adult resident population, women are an

important part of their communities across the country. They remain committed to serving

women and mothers through affordable housing properties as well as resident services.

National Homeless Shelter Directory http://nationalhomeless.org/references/directory/

Can locate homeless shelters simply by searching your city, many listings per state with all of

their contact info and available resources and programs.

Operation Hope https://www.operationhope.org -  Free: Learn about the

basics of owning your own home, from mortgages to homeowner’s insurance.

Salvation Army http://salvationarmyusa.org/usn/housing-and-homeless-services/ -

Free: For those families with temporary needs, family service programs help families and needy

individuals with emergency food, housing, and utility assistance. Enter zip code to find the

Salvation Army facility nearest you.

Social Serve.com http://www.socialserve.com/ -Free: Find affordable rental housing by state.

JUST FOR US SINGLE MOMS!

CounselingDegreesOnline.org. Looking to obtain an advanced degree in psychology that will fit into your hectic schedule?

Look at the Counseling Education Guides to help job seekers,  professionals, and students understand the changing landscapes of these  programs and their impact on careers and employment. You can view the  guides here: 

https://www.counselingdegreesonline.org/

https://www.psychologydegrees.org/

   Key updates to both websites include:

- A comprehensive look at the growth of online counseling programs at not-for-profit universities

- Tips for pursuing a graduate behavioral counseling program while working

- A list of the top educational programs calculated with the ROI against a student's degree

Epic Mommy Adventures http://epicmommyadventures.com/ Free: It’s a good mix of

every day randomness, inspiration and motivation for single parenting success and how

extremely hard it is. You can sign up to get an email for newly added posts, but you can also

access posts anytime.

Kaywanda Lamb http://www.kaywandalamb.com/blog/ - Free: Provides

“Happy, Healthy, Whole and Healed” Coaching, but you can also access her posts for free on

The Winning Single Mom website.

Nakisha Wynn http://www.nakishawynn.com/ - Free: Orlando

family lifestyle blog for single working moms. Nakishawynn.com focuses on single parenting,

self care, confidence, entrepreneurship and family fun.

Single Mom Chic Life https://singlemomchiclife.com/ - Free: Single Mom

Chic life is full of life advice, fashion and beauty tips. Tonya Parker is a counselor, blogger, and

former single mom who wrote "Single Mom Chic," about her journey as a single mom includes

simple steps to help single moms live their best lives: full of tips on career strategies, creating a

chic home and wardrobe on a budget, dating, etc.

Single Moms Planet http://www.singlemomsplanet.com/blog/ - Free: This is

Los Angeles based, you can sign up sign up for daily devotionals, gain local information on

upcoming playdates, community activities, fit mom workout club schedule, and how to get

involved.

Single Moms Power https://singlemomspower.com/blog/ - Free: Nerdy, geeky,

fearless, self-motivated, and proud single mother whose mission is to empower other single

moms to become masters and shapers of their destiny.

Single Parent Advocate http://www.singleparentadvocate.org/ -Free: Single

Parent Advocate is a non-profit organization committed to educating, equipping and empowering

single parents with resources, practical assistance, emotional encouragement and social

networking. A good base of volunteers who selflessly and passionately help single parent

families in need.

Single Wealthy Single Mommy http://www.wealthysinglemommy.com/ - Free:

Site devoted to professional single moms to help single mothers through their journey of building

successful businesses and careers – and enjoy dating and the pursuit of romance and love.