As a newly-single mother going to college full time, Mindy Brownfield struggled to make ends meet.
She was also pregnant with her second child.
She relied heavily on her parents to help with childcare and a place to live while she finished the rigorous dental hygienist program she was enrolled in at Pima Community College.
One day at church, the ladies there told her about an organization that helped single mothers while they were going to college.
Brownfield applied for assistance from Helping Hands for Single Moms shortly thereafter.
"They've been such a blessing," Brownfield said. "The very first month I was signed up we had a meeting and I got to meet all the girls, so it was emotionally nice to talk to other single moms and have others in the same situation trying to work, pay bills...They had a sponsor donate funding for us moms to go to Kohl's to get some outfits and I hadn't had new clothes or clothes that fit me in probably two years. I was able to get my daughter clothes too."
The organization provides services — both financial and other — to single moms who are working toward a college degree.
"The whole goal is to help low-income single moms earn their college degree and escape poverty and gain financial stability," said Lia Pierse, the organization's executive director.
Each mom receives a monthly stipend of $300 that can be used toward necessities or child care to help them keep their head "above water," Pierse said.
"In addition to that and why it's so unique is we partner with local businesses to provide services these families really need to eliminate these unique obstacles single moms face when trying to go to school and manage work and life," Pierse said.
Services include fixing vehicles, laptops, AAA auto insurance, dental care, professional attire and feminine products from the YWCA.
"It was a big hep with the financial burden," Brownfield said. "I couldn't afford to pay for my board exams so Helping Hands was able to help me out quite a bit with my board fees and they purchased a rental car for me so I could take my test in Phoenix...It was a relief. There were many times I would cry out of stress relief...One time at a meeting they provided tampons and pads...You know, stuff you don't really think about, but they add up. They just helped out with so much."
It also has a community aspect, Single Mom College Community — a network of all the moms enrolled in the program — meets every other month so they can learn from one another and have a support system.
"We meet once a month," Brownfield said. "They also provided like three or four months ago, a trip for us moms to go to Phoenix to have a staycation as a group...That was really nice to bond with other moms and kids. Myself and a couple girls have gotten really close in that we are in a similar situation and are able to talk about it...We've become like a close-knit family."
Next year, Helping Hands is planning to partner with the Girl Scouts so the daughters in the program will have a troop to go to.
"While moms are learning about financial and life skills, their daughters will learn about the same skills in the next room," Pierse said. "We're really excited about that."
It will also open up specific financial literacy programs to any single moms in the community to have a bigger reach and impact.
"We really want these women to learn to value themselves and their contribution to society and to know they're not alone," Pierse said. "And if college is the right avenue for them, they know this program is available to them and can take the financial steps."
To be eligible for the program a mom has to be at least a second semester student in a degree program with a 2.0 grade point average or higher and must have one child who is 11 years old or younger.
"We're trying to break the cycle of poverty," Pierse sad. "Poverty is very cyclical and children raised by single moms are five times more likely to be raised in poverty and continue that cycle, so we want to influence them in their developmental years. They see their moms setting examples so that child is more likely to finish their education."
The organization aims to support the children of mothers enrolled as well. For example, if they want to be in a band and it's too expensive to buy a trumpet or if they want to play soccer or if they want to take an engineering class over fall break, "anything that will enrich the lives of the children, Helping Hands can help with that, Pierse said.
No federal money is used to fund the program, Pierse said.
The majority of the organization's funding comes from foundation grants from organizations such as the Community Foundation of Arizona and the Women's Foundation.
Brownfield now works as a full time dental hygienist in Green Valley and will start classes in the spring to earn her Bachelor's degree, with the hopes of teaching in the future.
"Without them there's no way I would be a hygienist today," Brownfield said. "I'd still be trying to complete that. It has definitely helped me become set up for a lifetime of career, stability and security for my family. It's been nice."
To learn more about Helping Hands for Single Moms, click here.
To donate, click here.
In partnership with the YWCA's Your Sister's Closet, Helping Hands for Singles Moms will have a fashion show fundraiser at 2 p.m. Nov. 13 at Plaza Arboleda Conference Center, 2502 N. Dodge Blvd., suite 130.
The show will feature single moms in the program and will benefit current and future families. Your Sister's Closet will be accepting donations of gently used and new scarves, handbags and jewelry at the event.
Click here to get tickets. They are $25 each.
