Melissa Rivera and Susan Lucia
LifeHope Childcare (LHCC) was created to address the needs of single parents in the process of overcoming life's challenges. We want to walk alongside you and your child or children to address the barrier of unaffordable childcare. We look forward to providing a safe and secure Christ-centered atmosphere for you and your child. We believe in holistically serving all of God's people who come to us for assistance, discipling, equipping, and providing opportunities for them to serve others.
LHCC is a full time childcare center serving children as young as up to 6 weeks, up until a child's third birthday. We provide care for your child based on your work or school schedule, Monday through Friday, during the hours of 7:15 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Developmentally appropriate learning activities will be provided to nurture the "whole child" in areas of physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual development by our DCF-trained, background-screened teachers.
LifeHope is more than a childcare center. Mothers will also receive extensive holistic life coaching. This includes academic, employment, financial, and personal goal-setting that lead to a life of self-sufficiency as well as spiritual and emotional maturity. Participants in LifeHope will have access to counseling with licensed mental health professionals, and be part of a "village" of other moms with similar goals.
We aim to provide the necessary resources, education, and care to ensure the success of these parents and children long after they leave LHCC.
What is the cost for childcare at LHCC? What is required of the mother?
There is no cost for childcare! However, after the first 90 days of enrollment, each family pays $10 per week towards an Activity Fee, used for LifeHope events. In exchange for childcare, participants are required to meet with the LifeHope program manager on a weekly or biweekly basis to create and track their personal, educational, professional, and spiritual goals. Each mom will also attend classes at Northland, participate in several volunteer opportunities throughout the year, and work with our budget coach to learn financial literacy and accountability. Through these requirements, women are able to gain valuable skills, and build community with other single moms and members of the Northland family.
What happens after I apply?
Once an applicant has submitted her application, the information provided will be reviewed. If basic criteria has been met, you will be asked to provide your two most recent bank statements. This gives us a snapshot of your current income, as well as savings and spending habits. An interview will be scheduled, which typically takes about 30-45 minutes. During the interview, we will get to know you by discussing your initial application, and we will share more information about the LifeHope program. Then our team meets to discuss the needs and eligibility of the applicant and how those match with our program. We typically make a decision within 48 hours.
Once you have been selected for the program, you will receive an email with links to our video orientation. Please allow yourself 45 minutes to an hour to watch the videos. Then you'll be invited back in to complete the childcare paperwork. During this time, you will need to bring a birth certificate and a current physical and immunizations record for your child. At this meeting a start date for childcare will be discussed.
No, you will not be disqualified. We welcome you wherever you are in your spiritual walk. However, we do required in-person worship at Northland twice a month. During the remaining weeks, you may choose to worship in person, worship online, or attend another church.
We want to choose motivated women who have a strong desire for improvement, not those just seeking childcare. A few reasons disqualification include: lack of reliable transportation, dishonesty during the interview or application process, needing childcare outside of our operating hours, does not seem motivated, or does not fit our definition of "single." If you are not accepted into LifeHope, we will try to provide information about other resources that may be beneficial to you.