b'Matt is the executive director for Not Alone Ministries, an organization partnering with local churches to create communities where single moms feel seen, loved, and supported. In the 20 years prior, Matt led strategic operations for large global nonprofits. Matt currently lives in Colorado with his wife and three teenage children. Contact him at matt@notaloneministries.org.What does community look likeat some point in their lives. And itsadditional support to fill the many in your organization? Are you part- not just the mom who is struggling;gaps and hurdles she faces.nered with other organizations thather children are at greater risk emo- As your ministry sees dramatic can expand your offerings? Whattionally and academically as well.increases in families, many led by sin-are the desired outcomes for theseDespite depression being one ofgle moms, what does developmentally communities? the most prevalent mental healthappropriate support look like for you? Supportedconcerns, single moms are lessWhat do and could additional part-likely to seek and maintain mentalnerships with other local ministries Carry each others burdens. health care due to cost, inability tolook like? (Galatians 6:2)miss work, and transportation and While each mom is unique, there areEmily in progress several common themes and areaschildcare challenges.W eve walked with Emily where support is often most needed,Even though single mothers arefor many years and she including finances, housing, counsel- more likely to be employed thanstill hasnt experienced ing, legal counsel, and child support.any other group of women, theyher happily ever after. Her external Heres what it looks like to walk a bithold positions with lower earn- challenges still attempt to rob her san-in a single moms shoes:ings, or by necessity, are workingity and joy. Her circumstances really part-time as they do not have thehavent changed all that much. But The U.S. Census Bureau reportsnecessary support for the care ofshes come a long way from the scared, that roughly 23 percent of familiestheir children. Those who holdanxious woman she used to be. She in the United States led by a singlefull-time jobs are more likely towalks strong and confidently in the mom fall below the poverty line. Ifexperience increased levels ofknowledge that she is seen, loved, this wasnt concerning enough, thestress, given the challenges of jug- and supported. She is currently on University of Washington devel- gling work and family life, mainlyour leadership team and finds great oped the self-sufficiency standarddue to logistical challenges andpurpose and energy in helping lead focusing on the income workingthe lack of childcare. Job loss cangroups for new single moms.families need to meet their basicbe catastrophic.For Emily and dozens more like necessities without public or pri- Weve found that single mothers inher, Not Alone has provided a place vate assistance. Using this measure,legal and custody battles also facewhere she can join others in commu-in Colorado where we serve, 62significant additional emotionalnity. This safe, grace-filled group percent of women raising kidsand financial challenges. Manyof people has become her support alone dont have enough incomewrestle to afford legal representa- system, enabling her and others to to meet their basic needs.tion and are subject to inconsistentwalk in hope and the knowledge of The American Bar Associationcourt systems and rulings.Christs good plans for them and their reports on research that over 90At Not Alone, once weve ensuredchildrens lives. Our prayer is that percent of homeless women havea mom feels seen and is involved in aworking together, rescue missions and experienced severe physical or sex- community, we then provide develop- like-minded ministries can truly see, ual abuse at some point in theirmentally targeted, tangible supportlove, and support the single moms in lives and 38 percent of all victims ofincluding housing assistance, counsel- our communities so that they might domestic violence become homelessing, legal networking, meals, andfind hope, healing, and wholeness. \x03 46 WWW.CITYGATENETWORK.ORG JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024'