The Raising Hope Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides Single parents in urban and underdeveloped communities financial help specifically for household expenses such as rent, utilities, childcare, and food.

When we provide these parents with funds, we hope it allows them to become financially comfortable without the need for multiple jobs, and to allow them the time to pursue education and/or other avenues of becoming financially free from multiple jobs, and to allow them to spend more time with their impressionable children.

• What inspired this beautiful mission?

  • I see so many single parents struggle to make ends meet. They have little to no financial security or plans for the future. They are literally focused on providing for their family’s each month. Also, most single parents have 2 or more jobs. I just hate seeing so many people struggle like this. It not only affects them but their children as well.

• When did you start the foundation?

  • I started it in August but we weren’t official incorporated until September 10th. We have also filed 501(c)(3) Tax Exempt Status a couple of weeks ago.

• Congratulations on that! That is a huge step. Have you been able to help any families yet?

  • Yes! We have been able to help about 10 Single parents this year. Our goal is to help 20 in 2021.

• Oh my goodness, that's incredible!!

  • Yes, we believe so too! I’m very excited to see what we can achieve next year!

• How many people are working on this with you?

  • I am the founder and President but I have a board of directors totaling 5, including myself.

• That's incredible! How did you rally your super team together?

  • They are women met over the years who have specific qualities and talents, that this foundation needs. And most of them I know personally and have worked with, so I know what they bring to the table. I have a great group of women on my team.

• How do you balance everything you have going on in life AND the foundation? That's super impressive.

  • I have a lot of lists  I create lists for everything. And I work on one project each day, to remove things from each list. It’s a lot but I feel that it’ll all be worth it as time goes by.

• Do you ever feel overwhelmed by it all?

  • Sometimes but I push forward and focus on what is most important. Making a difference. I believe that every step we take, slow or fast, can have an impact on someone’s life. I try to live every day with that in mind. It helps me stick with my goals and progress.

• That's so excellent and really a nice reminder to stay focused. What things do you have planned with the foundation as we wrap up 2020?

  • We are hosting our 1st Annual Holiday Food Drive, November 1st- December 15th in our local state. We will be putting boxes and displays in multiple locations, so donors can bring in nonperishable food items. All food items will go to 2 women’s shelters and 2 food banks.
    If a donor wants to donate but is out of state, they can also donate via our website. We use PayPal as a gateway because it’s secure.

• When I first found out about the foundation, you had a gofundme set up. Has that changed? :3

  • Yes. We started the Gofundme for the business licenses and tax exemption status etc. Plus we wanted to help more women then the 10 we’ve already help. I didn’t feel comfortable helping people and asking for donations without the proper documentation.
    Thankfully, a few donors paid for us to get the licenses, and apply for tax exemption status. So we closed the Gofundme. The money that was raised through Gofundme, which was $135, when towards groceries for a Single mother in need.
    As of now, we have our own website, where donors can donate safely through.

• Congratulations on that! What is that website?

  • theraisinghopefoundation.com

• Are you just focused on your local/regional area at the moment?

  • Right now we would love to help single parents on a national level. However, we don’t have enough sponsors and or donors to do so. We are hoping to gain enough momentum statewide so that we can start helping Single parents nationally. That is my vision and dream for this organization.

• How do you find families to help?

  • They or someone they know applies for them through our website. Before the website, I used to take the recipients' information by phone. Our website is easier and more effective. Which helps me because I have so much going on,

• Do you have a process of elimination involved when people apply? If so what are the requirements?

  • There are only 3 requirements: 1. Must be 18 or older. 2. Must have 1 or more child(ren)  3. Must provide proof of income (if applicable).

• That's amazing. I am so happy to be able to support you and get the word out! I know it's a long ways away but where do you see the foundation at the end of the next year? Like all realism aside where would you like to be at the end of 2021?

  • Our goal is to help at least 50 Single Parents in 2021. As well as finding education and/or other things to help these single parents become financially independent.

• How do you plan on finding education/other resources?

  • We are working with the Social Service Department in some of our Counties to find different vocational and trade schools. I also have friends who teach classes for some medical careers such as Pharmacy Tech., Medical Billing and Coding, And Medical Assistant.

• That's amazing!! I love what you're doing. I never would have guessed that it would go into the education side of things as well do you have any events planned other than the upcoming food drive?

  • We are working on a Virtual Auction for Spring 2021. I’m really excited about that!

• How is that going to work? :D and when are you planning to do that?

  • It’ll be a live stream, that someone will be monitoring while I’m auctioning off items! It’s a work in progress and I’m hoping to have everything ironed out by February. I’m planning it for March or April 2021.

• In that case, I will try and get this out before then!

  • Thank you! I appreciate your support️.

• What message do you want to share with our readers? For the single parents and then for those who have never experienced single parenthood

  • For the readers, if you know anyone who would like to sponsor or donate to our organization definitely let [them/me] know.

  • And to the single parents reading this, I hope that one day I can help you in an astronomical way, I see you and I hear you. You are not alone.

  • And to the people who have never had the misfortune of being a single parent, I how you can empathize and understood that everyone’s life is different and that everyone needs help. It takes a village, to raise children. And if you find it in your heart, join us in helping these parents achieve what you have. ️

• AM thank you SOO much for your time and your mission. I am incredibly proud to support your foundation. How can our readers stay up to date on charitable events as well as your progress?

  • They can find all information, events, etc. via our website at theraisinghopefoundation.com and our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/theraisinghopefoundation1
    And thank you for taking the time to speak with me regarding this important cause!

If you are a single parent or know a single parent, please contact or donate to The Raising Hope Foundation. We're stronger together, Goddess, there's no need to do it alone.