Tuesday, November 29
$50K GOAL
GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. It has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. Learn more about GivingTuesday.
Since 2015, LifeHope Childcare has been providing free childcare for single moms in the community. Beyond childcare, each mom in LifeHope receives life coaching to address financial, spiritual, educational, professional, and personal goals. This mentoring is provided by LifeHope’s program manager and trained volunteers. Currently, the childcare center is equipped to serve children six weeks through 36 months. Our hope is to expand the ages that we serve so even more moms and children can benefit from these services. We have identified a need in the community to provide childcare beyond a child’s third birthday, based on the current moms we serve, as well as potential clients we have not been able to serve, due to their child’s age. By opening a classroom of three-year-olds (providing care until a child’s 4th birthday), we will bridge the gap between toddler daycare and VPK, when childcare typically becomes less expensive due to state funding for the voluntary Pre-K program.
Your Giving Tuesday donations will help expand LifeHope Childcare so that we can help more kids and parents. With your help, we hope to hire new teachers, appoint a support advocate, and open a classroom for three-year-olds, stocked with supplies just for them.
"The heart of our program is forming community. Most of these moms don’t have that community to fall back on."
— Melissa Rivera, LifeHope Childcare Director
Moms in LifeHope are able to work full-time and/or go to school knowing their children are in a safe, Christ-centered environment with fully trained and background-screened teachers. Although there is no fee for the single moms enrolled in our program, they can earn their childcare spot by working towards and meeting goals, attending worship, receiving mental health counseling, and participating in classes on Northland’s campus. These classes provide opportunities for the moms to build community, form friendships, and learn their identity in Christ.
LifeHope currently serves 21 children, and is staffed by 12 part-time teachers, a program manager, and a program director. Our low ratios allow the children to receive special attention and care from our top-notch team.
A director of a local pregnancy center once stated, “LifeHope could potentially be the difference between a mother carrying a child and having an abortion.” So much emphasis is placed on “keeping the baby”, but not many resources are available to assist once the baby is born. LifeHope walks this journey with single parents, potentially changing the trajectory of their lives.
Those requesting assistance must first apply on our website, www.lifehopechildcare.com. After completing the application, applicants are invited in for an interview where we can determine if we can serve the family through LifeHope resources.
Time: We are excited to bring back our Baby Rocker volunteers who can sign up for an hour long timeslot to rock, read to, and play with our babies. For more information, please plan to attend our Baby Rocker orientation in December.
Talent: If you have a talent that you would like to share with our ministry, let us know. Perhaps you are an expert on a certain subject and would like to be a guest speaker. Maybe you enjoy cooking and can provide a meal during one of our classes.
Treasure: Beyond your usual tithes and offerings, LifeHope can accept ongoing donations to support the ministry even after Giving Tuesday. These funds will be used for payroll expenses, as well as ministry supplies and needs to best serve these single moms and children.
