When we think about helping children and families in need, we initially focus on meeting practical needs—food on the table, a safe place to live, clothes for growing kids. And that must be our starting point. Tangible support is a cornerstone of One More Child’s ministry and a vital part of how we serve others.
But tangible support is only the beginning. We also seek to meet relational and spiritual needs, knowing that lasting transformation comes with strengthened physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
A research study conducted at the University of Cambridge concludes that community engagement can be “effective intervention in supporting the mental well-being of mothers and children living under housing insecurity.”
The power of loving, consistent, and intentional community cannot be overstated—and Patricia’s story is living proof.
Patricia’s Story
When Patricia walked into a One More Child parenting class at a church in Columbus, Ohio, she was taking a foundational step toward creating a new life for herself and her infant son. A single mother navigating homelessness, trauma, and untreated mental health challenges, she carried far more than a full diaper bag. But she came willing to do whatever it took to provide a safe, loving future for her 9-month-old child.
Her courage became the cornerstone in the life she is working to build for her family. But like every vulnerable family we serve, Patricia’s story did not begin at the church doors.
We first met her while delivering diapers and bus passes to a local family shelter. That simple encounter led to a deeper conversation about her circumstances and an invitation to join the parenting class at one of our trusted community partner locations. There, she found a welcoming space to learn, a food pantry, and a free store stocked with resources that meet urgent, essential needs for Patricia and others like her.
Despite all she was facing, Patricia showed up to the parenting class, week after week. In time, she shared that she had been off her medication for a diagnosed mental health condition, something that was affecting her stability and ability to care for her son. With encouragement from the One More Child team, she took steps to restart treatment and access consistent care. Patricia did the work as One More Child provided the support she needed to achieve her goals.
As her health stabilized, Patricia turned her focus to housing. She had previously been living in a broken-down car with her son before finding temporary shelter. While the shelter offered a measure of relief, Patricia longed to give her child something more: a place of their own. With guidance from her newfound support system at One More Child, she navigated the complex housing system, kept every appointment, and completed the necessary paperwork—even in the middle of a snowy Ohio winter. After three months of persistence, Patricia and her baby boy moved into their first apartment together.
Like many of the single moms we walk alongside, Patricia’s transformation is generational. When we first met her son, he was 9 months old, significantly underweight, and behind on developmental milestones. Patricia had done everything she could to care for him with the little she had, but now that she was receiving the assistance she needed, like donated breast milk, he began to thrive.
Now, Patricia is working toward employment and building a village of support. She has connected with other mothers from the parenting class and is visiting a local church.
Our prayer is that these early steps—diapers, parenting classes, medical care, housing—will ultimately lead to eternal transformation, rooted in something far greater than anything we could offer. And through Patricia’s transformation, others are witnessing what is possible when even the hardest beginnings are placed in God’s hands.
Help Single Moms in Your Community
Many single mothers work tirelessly to provide a stable life for their families, yet despite their best efforts, find themselves on the brink of crisis. One More Child’s Single Moms Community Program provides an opportunity to help these moms rewrite their stories of struggle into testimonies of triumph.
The Single Moms Community Program is led by the local church body—it can be implemented by YOU in YOUR community! This 10-week program is led by a team of church volunteers who have a heart for helping, encouraging and uplifting God’s people, with additional support available from One More Child staff. Each church partner receives training and instruction from expert One More Child staff and is equipped with a curriculum guide to help facilitate discussion and engagement with participants.
Bring hope to single moms like Patricia today, and witness how community support can transform lives, bringing stability, courage, and confidence to build a brighter future.