"And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all..." 1 Thessalonians 3:12
This past Saturday we had an amazing time volunteering through our church during ForOneChicago! Churches from the area get together and help volunteer at 35 different sites in and around the Chicagoland area. We signed up to help the nonprofit organization called NEW MOMS. They moved into a new main office so we helped paint, clean, winterize, sanitize the children's toys, clean, etc. We made new friends both within the church and at NEW MOMS, and it was great to feel that we helped out in our own community! I hope to volunteer more in the upcoming months!
Who they serve:
Most often, participants arrive at New Moms with nothing more than a baby in their arms and a trash bag full of their belongings. 97% are either Latino or African-American, between the ages of 13 and 21, with children 5 years old or younger. When these young women come to us, approximately 80% have dropped out of school, and are operating at an average 4th grade educational level. Almost all are multi-generational welfare recipients, or have no income at all. 100% are living in extreme poverty (200% or more below the poverty threshold). Over 75% do not live with immediate family members. Most have no permanent home, and report “couch surfing” from one potentially dangerous, transient living situation to another, children in tow. Many are officially homeless, living on the streets with their children. Most are survivors—or continuing victims—of abuse, neglect, abandonment, sexual exploitation, and domestic violence.
Most often, participants arrive at New Moms with nothing more than a baby in their arms and a trash bag full of their belongings. 97% are either Latino or African-American, between the ages of 13 and 21, with children 5 years old or younger. When these young women come to us, approximately 80% have dropped out of school, and are operating at an average 4th grade educational level. Almost all are multi-generational welfare recipients, or have no income at all. 100% are living in extreme poverty (200% or more below the poverty threshold). Over 75% do not live with immediate family members. Most have no permanent home, and report “couch surfing” from one potentially dangerous, transient living situation to another, children in tow. Many are officially homeless, living on the streets with their children. Most are survivors—or continuing victims—of abuse, neglect, abandonment, sexual exploitation, and domestic violence.
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