Single Parent Mentoring Alliance

The second and yet potentially more impacting division of Hope For The Community is the Single Parent Mentoring Alliance.   The United States has more single parents than any other nation in the world.  88% of them are female.  Of that 88%, 28% live below the poverty line.  They struggle with daily life and are often overcome with life’s demands and burdens.  They are literally going through life alone and have one of the greatest calling on this earth, raising their children.

Most organizations and congregations that reach out to single parents have them come to the organization.  Success rates tend to be low as single parents become exhausted.  Their schedules are not conducive the “going to another meeting.” Hope For The Community does not have that requirement.  We are going to go to them. 

Mentors are required to meet one time face-to-face each month with their mentees.  They must have a minimum of one contact with them each week.  If more mentors have the time and the ability to meet more than the minimum requirement they can and will when needed.  

Mentors are to encourage their single-parent mentees to think out of the box, look into the future, make secure plans, and find ways to resource them along the way.  Mentors are not Uber drivers, babysitters, dishwashers, laundry services, or loan agents.  They are the beginning of a support system that will be available to them as long as needed.  

Mentors attend 25 hours of training for certification.  They report to the lead mentor on a monthly basis, attend eight hours of extended training per year, and attend a monthly meeting to discuss their mentoring abilities and progress.

Hope For The Community Mentors are committed to the relationship for the long run.  They are trained and prepared to go the distance even when it is more like a marathon.  Hope For The Community Chaplains are more like a 100-yard spring.  The Mentors will be available until they are not needed.