Between making meals your children will actually eat, running around to extra-curriculars, helping with homework, keeping up with never-ending laundry and dishes, managing bedtime routines that are never routine, teaching your children to love Jesus, carving out meaningful time together, and carrying the mental load of it all…parenting is a challenge, to say the least. And for many, the parenting journey is even harder because they are raising their children as a single parent.
Single parents must care for their children with intention, even as they combat daily hardships and long-term challenges. Many single parents face financial burdens, childcare challenges, and emotional stress, making it difficult to maintain the time and energy needed to be fully present for their children.
The United States is home to 7,463,895 single-parent-led households struggling to afford basic needs, according to a 2023 report from nonprofit United for ALICE. The data shows the disparity clearly: approximately 75% of households led by single moms and 56% of households led by single fathers are vulnerable to economic uncertainty. In comparison, only 20% of married-couple households with children struggled to afford basic needs.
One More Child is stepping into these difficult realities and offering support with this truth: you may be a single parent, but you are not alone. We are here to stand with you and walk alongside you as you devote yourselves to your children every day.
Through our Single Moms and Family Support programs, we empower single parents with resources, support, and encouragement to lead their families with dignity.
Elena* was one of those single parents.
Free to Thrive
Despite working tirelessly to provide for her two children—17-year-old Carlos* and 2-year-old Maya*—Elena and her family were on the verge of homelessness. Financial hardships, challenging circumstances, and physical ailments overwhelmed Elena’s life, hindering her ability to care for her children as she desired. Elena was running out of options. Then, she got connected with a women’s care center, which referred her to One More Child.
Our team determined Elena, Carlos, and Maya were a good match for our Single Moms residential program, believing that with support, stability, and security, the family could thrive. They received not only safe housing but also consistent access to food, diapers, clothing, and other necessities—easing many of the daily burdens Elena carried as a single mother. With the assurance her children’s basic needs were met, Elena was able to focus on her mental and physical health, while pursuing opportunities that would build a brighter future for her children.
Through mentorship, professional guidance, counseling, and spiritual encouragement, Elena set and achieved goals related to employment, savings, and personal growth. And she experienced spiritual transformation through a renewed hope in Jesus Christ, seeking to keep Him at the center of her life.
As Elena experienced transformation, so did her children.
Maya now lives in a comfortable, safe place to call home. She is happy and thriving, free to enjoy the wonder of childhood. For Carlos, this newfound stability came at a perfect time, providing him the freedom and opportunity to thrive in his final year of high school and prepare for his own future.
Carlos’s childhood had been marked by uncertainty and change. After experiencing mistreatment from his father and stepmother, he chose to live with his mom full time. But this brought its own challenges, as frequent moves led him to attend seven schools. However, Carlos remained determined.
Above all else, he was determined to care for his mom and little sister, leaving little time and energy to consider himself. However, through the residential program, Carlos found freedom to pursue his own goals. He became the leader of his school’s Bible club, joined the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, and gave back to the community by volunteering with One More Child. He graduated with a 3.885 GPA, won regional championships in wrestling, and was crowned prom king, despite only attending the school for a year.
After graduation, he chose a brave path forward. Carlos enlisted to serve our country in the United States Army. He can pursue this calling with confidence, knowing his mom and little sister are safe and secure because of the transformation they experienced through the Single Moms residential program at One More Child.
Carlos shared about that impact in a letter to our team:
*Names and photos changed for privacy.
“From food on our table, to something as simple as toilet paper, to the dignity of a fresh haircut, your help has touched every corner of my life. You’ve given us hope when our faith was growing weak, and strength when we felt defeated….
One More Child was there providing baby food when we couldn’t afford it, diapers when we ran out, and clothes to keep [my sister] warm and clean. These may seem like small things to some, but to us, they were everything…
I thank you for all you’ve done for us, and for the love and care you continue to show families like mine.
With all my respect and hope,
Carlos”
The Power of Transformation
The futures of Elena, Carlos, and Maya are forever changed—they have stability, opportunity, and hope. This is why we do what we do: to break generational cycles of poverty and hardship.
That is the power of transformation. That is what happens when single parents have the freedom to thrive.
We believe in the mission of empowering parents to care for their children with confidence and lead their families with strength. We accomplish this by the grace of God, the dedication of our staff, and the generosity of our supporters.
Join our mission to make a difference in the life of one more struggling family, one more single mom, and one more vulnerable child.