What Community Resources Are Available to Help Single Moms?

Mentoring Programs

The single mother who needs positive role models for her children can enroll them in a mentoring program where older adults can spend time with them. They provide the children with guidance on how to deal with issues such as depression, academic problems, tension between them and their mother, building good relationships and learning financial responsibility. For example, if a teenager is struggling with low-self worth due to a physical disability, the mentor can encourage him to accept and love the positive qualities about himself and utilize these traits to establish a better life for himself.

Another source of help for single mothers comes from governmental social services. For example, if a single mother is seeking an affordable apartment for herself and her children, she can visit the local housing authority and find out how to apply for a Section 8 voucher, which is a government program that offers low-cost housing. The government pays part of the rent while the tenant pays the remaining amount. Some other governmental social services include food stamps and Medicaid.

The single mother who desires to own a business so she can achieve financial stability and utilize her talents can apply for business grants from private foundations, nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies. With these grants, the single mother can get creative and operate a business that would not only help her financial situation, but could also create jobs for fellow single mothers in her city.

Another good community resource for single mothers is the child care center. Many child care centers are open during flexible hours and some centers are even open on the weekends for mothers who have to work during these times. When looking for a good child care center, mothers should visit each center to find out if there's positive interaction between day care workers and the children, if the children are receiving an adequate amount of attention, and that the center is safe for your child to be in.