For 35 years, New Moms has supported young moms in building foundations that create stable, secure lives for their families. Thousands of families have come through our doors, and for every one of them our commitment and responsibility remains firm—to walk with each of them as they utilize grit to persevere through the challenges of poverty and parenting. They discover lasting transformation that impacts generations to come. Their stories have shaped the history of New Moms and are possible because of the community of support—staff, volunteers, donors—that has surrounded them on this journey. As we celebrate our anniversary, we are honoring the stories of 35 people who have joined in the story of New Moms. Here are a few:
Our stories connect us…
FROM A MOM In 2012, Kirsty was twenty-two with a four-year-old son when she entered our Job Training program. She was juggling college, working part-time, and caring for her son. It was exhausting, and even with the strong support of her loved ones, she needed an extra boost to push her through. New Moms helped her to balance it all. She completed our Job Training program and earned her degree in psychology. Today, Kirsty doesn’t struggle to balance her life. She’s been a supervisor since she graduated our program, and she’s taking classes to pursue her dream job in nursing! Kirsty relates how “New Moms keeps you motivated and encouraged. I am grateful to not only have the love and support of my loved ones but to be involved in a program such as New Moms.” And her message for other participants: “I encourage you to never give up, no matter how tough it gets–keep going.”
FROM AN EMPLOYEE In 2009, Dana started volunteering on the production floor at Bright Endeavors—New Moms’ social enterprise candle company. She was so struck by the model and mission that she began working for us. As our first Assistant Director of Workforce Development, Dana was always deeply aware of the stories of each young mom. This influenced the vision and leadership Dana brought to her work, and also shaped her own life journey. As she learned from our moms, Dana reflects how “Choices can breed hope, hope can breed goals, and goals can breed change,” and she has witnessed this same truth lived out in her own life. Dana continues to connect with New Moms even as she has moved to another city, expressing that “there is just no other place like New Moms.”
FROM DONORS Lon and Linda first connected with New Moms in 1992. With a passion for early childhood intervention and strong faith, they joined the board of directors. Over twenty-six years, Lon and Linda have seen New Moms journey through many seasons—and even helped to put out a fire in the first building! They have faithfully spread the mission, and have brought vision and leadership into ensuring New Moms has safe and developmentally friendly play spaces for young moms and their children. They have been privileged to see New Moms with a “long-term view; God has blessed and used New Moms to transform the lives of young moms and their children.”
Hope and determination push us forward…
We look forward with hope and determination, knowing that these stories are just a few of the thousands that have been impacted by New Moms’ mission. We are building a new facility for housing and programs in Oak Park, expanding our Family Support program, and deepening our Job Training program—and there are many more stories to come!
Would you celebrate with us with a gift to New Moms, to help us end the 2018 Fiscal Year strong? Your gift is a real way that YOU can be a part of New Moms story.
• A gift of $55 can provide one night of housing and support for a young mom and her child.
• A gift of $115 could support one month of unlimited transportation for a participant, removing barriers for her to travel to our Job Training program and access childcare for her family.
• And a gift of $450 could fund a baby shower for our prenatal support group moms-to-be!
We are so grateful for your support these past 35 years—it is because of you that the stories of our families are filled with inspiration, hope, and joy. Thank you for joining us on this journey and for being part of this powerful community of support!