MOM STRONG

There are children in our communities who live with daily challenges and change. They have mothers who deeply love them and want the best for them, but aren’t always able to provide for every need.

Your gift today helps make them stronger.

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Help single moms
be brave.

We serve single moms who are working towards self-sufficiency as they provide for their children.

Our ApproachBecome a Mentor

Watch and learn how you can come alongside One More Child.

Launch a Single Moms Community Program

When bravery and compassion meet, you will find heroes among us. At One More Child, we recognize some of these heroes are courageous single moms, who we call “Brave Moms.” We serve these moms and their children as they work diligently toward self-sufficiency and rediscover who God created them to be.

Since 2016, One More Child has helped facilitate this process through a residential-based care program at our various campus locations. However, we also desire to partner with churches to reach those who live beyond our campus walls to offer support, stability and encouragement.

One More Child Single Moms Community Program seeks to meet the needs of single-mom families in crisis by creating a network of care, guidance and support in local communities. This 10-week program, made available through our church and community partners, provides skills classes, mentorship and resources designed to help single mothers and their children thrive.

Help Single Moms
More Than

24 Million

There are more than 24 million children in the United States living in single-parent families (2017 KIDS COUNT Databook). That’s more children in single-parent homes in our country than the total populations of the 17 least-populated states combined (2016 Census Data).

Meet our passionate and empowering leaders.

Jerry T. Haag, Ph.D., CFP®

President/CEO

Dr. Jerry Haag is the president/CEO of One More Child. During his tenure as president, he has guided the expansion of ministry sites from nine locations in Florida to more than 50 locations around the globe. Under his presidency, One More Child has launched its Anti-Trafficking, Child Hunger, Single Moms, Family Support (prevention) and Global programs to meet immediate and long-term needs of children and families. Under Dr. Haag’s leadership, One More Child has increased from serving 3,351 children and individuals in 2007 to more than 473,993 in 2022.

Dr. Haag earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in finance from Baylor University and earned a Ph.D. in finance and real estate in 1995 from the University of Texas at Arlington. He has led and participated in humanitarian aid, emergency relief, childcare and ministry to children and families in countries around the world.

Dr. Haag was appointed to serve on the Florida Faith-based and Community-based Advisory Council by 3 governors and served as the chair. He also serves on the board of directors of the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO), where he has chaired its Faith and Foster Care Research Team and served on the President’s Advisory Council. In addition, Dr. Haag has served on the board for Hines Ugandan Ministry since 2018.

Because of Dr. Haag’s experience and leadership in launching global, prevention, and anti-trafficking programs, he has been invited on numerous occasions to share our organization’s expertise with national and world leaders – to include the United States Health and Human Services, the White House, the President’s Office of the Dominican Republic (in coordination with President Danilo Medina) and the Office of the First Lady of Guatemala (in coordination with First Lady Patricia Marroquin de Morales).

Dr. Haag is passionate about long-term policy change to impact vulnerable children, and he had the pleasure of participating in a distinguished seminar on Religion and U.S. Foreign Policy, sponsored by the Institute on Culture, Religion and World Affairs at Boston University.

He preaches regularly in churches throughout the nation, and he and his wife, Christi, also enjoy speaking together. Additionally, he has authored, presented and published academic articles relating to his business expertise and has been honored several times for his business, professional and civic achievements.

In 2018, Dr. Haag was awarded the 2018 George W. Truett Distinguished Service Award by the Baylor Line Foundation and was honored at its Hall of Fame Gala for his exceptional leadership in meeting the needs of children around the world.

Dr. Haag has served on the faculty and administration of both public and private universities, and he was named Baylor University’s Vice President for University Development in 2011, where he served before returning as president of One More Child.

From 2000-2007, Dr. Haag served as president and CEO of the South Texas Children’s Home in Beeville. He also has corporate work experience with AT&T and is a Certified Financial Planner.

Dr. Haag and Christi have been married for more than 3 decades and live in Lakeland, FL. Christi is a renowned speaker, thought influencer and spokewoman for One More Child.  Their eldest son, Ben and his wife Maddie live and work in Dallas, TX and their youngest son, Brady and his wife Katie reside and work in Denver, CO.

Do you need a brief bio for Dr. Haag for an upcoming speaking or preaching engagement he is participating in? We have you covered — find it here.
Contact Jerry

Phone: 863.687.8811

Pam Whitaker, Ed.D., LMHC, CCTP

Senior Vice President of Program Development

Dr. Whitaker joined One More Child in 1999 as the Director of Campus Ministries and later served as the Central Florida Administrator and Vice President of Programs. She currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Program Development and leads One More Child in developing new, innovative programming to further impact children and families through implementation and growth of childcare programs. Dr. Whitaker leads research and launch efforts to implement best practices, study child welfare trends and make recommendations for program adaptations (considering evolving public policies).  Prior to her work at One More Child, Dr. Whitaker worked at Peace River Center for 11 years serving as a therapist/coordinator for children and adolescents in the residential psychiatric services center. She has worked with children and families in crisis for over 30 years.

Dr. Whitaker has received a Bachelor’s of Science (B.S.) in Social Work from Florida Southern College, earned a Master’s of Arts (M.A.) in Counseling Education from the University of South Florida and holds a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) from Nova Southeastern University, majoring in organizational leadership with a minor in conflict resolution.

Dr. Whitaker has been a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) since 1997 and is a Qualified Supervisor for counselors seeking licensure. She is also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and holds professional certification in Human Trafficking Prevention and Intervention from Florida State University.

Active in her church, Kathleen Baptist, Dr. Whitaker currently serves on the Personnel Committee, is a Care Group Leader, substitute Life Group teacher, and nursery worker.  Married to Gary Whitaker since 1986, they have a daughter, Tierney.

Dr. Whitaker is passionate about bringing creative, Christ-centered services to children and families in need and reaching the “least of these.”

Contact Pam

Phone: 863.687.8811

Stephanie Harrison

Executive Director of Single Moms

Stephanie Harrison joined One More Child at the beginning of 2023 as the Executive Director of the Single Mom’s Program.

She has over twenty years of experience in leading worship teams, outreach ministries, and anti-trafficking initiatives through her non-profit work. She received her Master of Arts in Ministerial leadership in 2022, and thereafter accepted her current position at One More Child.

Stephanie’s passion for One More Child began years ago when she hosted a Run4One fundraiser for seven years, which donated 50% of the funds to One More Child’s Anti-Trafficking program. Since then, she has been a volunteer and donor for One More Child, and is now a vital part of the work we do.

In addition to being an advocate for women and children, Stephanie is passionately committed to equipping believers for ministry outside the four walls of the church, and leading them to live abundant lives available to them in Christ. Her favorite role however, is mother to her thirteen year old daughter, and one year old foster son.

Stephanie enjoys adventure and travel, especially if it involves the ocean, with her children. If she wasn’t called to ministry, she would want to live on an island and be a professional surfer.

Contact Stephanie

Phone: 863.687.8811

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