“It’s never too late for change, no matter what you’ve been through.”
For many single moms in the Wichita area, the Fresh Hope program at His Helping Hands has made a world of difference. Fresh Hope helps women by giving them a hand up through education and opportunities, and they must be doing something right – over 80% of the 702 women who have graduated from the four month program remain self-sufficient, that is, they accept no government benefits to support themselves and their children, and are either employed 35 hours a week, or are in school and employed for 25 hours a week. Since 2013, when a single woman looked around and thought “What does it take to break the poverty cycle?” hundreds of women have found that even if other things haven’t worked for them, Fresh Hope can.
Fresh Hope accepts women through self-referral, as those who have decided to make a better life for their families are much more likely to stick with the classes. These women go through both a phone interview and an in-person interview before being accepted into the program. During the four months of classes and programming, participants receive instruction in everything from setting boundaries in personal relationships to resume building. They are given resources for job-hunting and vocational training, assistance in finding housing and one-on-one mentoring.
How You Can Help
Fresh Hope can always use more resources to keep the programs running: gift cards for restaurants and gas are given as incentives for completing certain programs, women are able to shop from the donated professional wear for items to wear to interviews and/or to work, and, of course, cash donations are always welcome. Hygiene products and baby items are also welcomed.
Are you interested in becoming a mentor to one of the women going through the program? It is a time commitment of about 30 minutes to an hour a week. These mentors are integral in the success of the the moms of Fresh Hope, as it was designed as a hand-in-hand program, and not a handout.
If you feel led, pray for the moms going through the program, those who may go through it, and the women working to assist the moms.
If you know (or are!) a single mom who is ready for change, have her call Connie at 316-425-0672.
For more information on Fresh Hope, you can visit their website, or check out their Facebook page.
