Business Grants For Single Moms

27. January 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: Uncategorized · Tags:

“A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.” – Tenneva Jordan

I think we can all agree on truthfulness of such a simple but moving statement. Mothers indeed make those kinds of selfless and touching sacrifice, and perhaps, single mothers have more opportunities to make them than those who have partners. Circumstances sometimes force them to tighten their belts more than most to provide for their children.

Sometimes, to the point of even sacrificing their own personal ambitions and growth especially for those who would like to get their university degrees but do not have the means to pursue it. Why is it so difficult for single mothers to finish college and pursue their ambitions?

Because for single mothers going back to school, they must consider two valuable things: time and money. The single mother must consider money for tuition and other school expenses along with standard bills they have to pay, which may increase further due to fees for the child care provider when their mother is off to school. And although her time is already filled up with work and motherhood, now she must make room for school and studying.

Given the scenario above, it will seem for most that for low-income single mothers going back to school is near impossible. Such a daunting challenge will discourage a lot of people but I’d like to tell you that it can be surpassed and there are people willing to help not only for education but also for other needs like assistance in housing, employment, business opportunities and even clothing. Here are some places you can approach for help:

Small Business Administration

If you want business grants for single mothers who who have a business but need more financing. Go here for more info: SBA.

Single Parents Association of America

If you are looking for grants for single mothers to start a business, you might start looking here: SPAOA. They are dedicated to serving single parents and providing information on where you can get assistance.

These are only a few of the many resources and agencies you could find out there, you will probably find more when you start looking. So, why not look for them, now?

Life Quotes For Single Mothers

04. January 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: Uncategorized · Tags:

I grew up in a single-parent family. My dad died when I was twelve leaving my mother alone to raise 5 kids the eldest being 12. I often saw my mother cry due to despair and fear for our future. How was she supposed to provide and support us until we can become independent?

It was a long way to go before we could actually stand on our own. It’s been years since then, and I’ve asked her how she did it, and my single mother said she lived by this quote: “One day at a time”. She said that as cliched as it sounds she got through because she reminded herself to live and face problems one day at a time, and it worked.

So I decided to compile some of my favorite quotes for single moms to motivate,inspire and commend single mothers and all their sacrifices.In hopes that they too can help pull you through like my mom. These were taken from books and other resources.

“When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.” – Sophia Loren

“A parent’s love is whole, no matter how many times divided.” – Robert Brault

“If you bungle raising your children, I don’t think whatever else you do well matters very much.” – Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

“Whenever I held my newborn baby in my arms, I used to think that what I said and did to him could have an influence not only on him, but on all whom he met, not only for a day or a month or a year, but for all eternity – a very challenging and exciting thought for a mother.” – Rose Kennedy

“Women’s Liberation is just a lot of foolishness. It’s the men who are discriminated against. They can’t bear children. And no one’s likely to do anything about that.” – Golda Meir

“Raising a family is difficult enough. But it’s even more difficult for single parents struggling to make ends meet. They don’t need more obstacles. They need more opportunities.” – Bill Richardson

“Only mothers can think of the future – because they give birth to it in their children.” – Maxim Gorky

Quotes like these can help inspire us and challenge us to be better parents. They nudge us to pay attention, focus on what is essential. They warm our hearts because they affirm how much love and sacrifice it takes to be a single mother.

Financial Aid: Making Your Life Easy

22. December 2010 · Comments Off · Categories: Uncategorized · Tags: , , , ,

Are you a single mom who is interested in pursuing your education but lack the time and money to support this decision? During these times of recession and economic upheaval, looking for a job is a big challenge and not having a university degree is an obstacle. To make matters worse, increasing your financial burden with tuition, materials and fares is just not an option for a single mom who has more than enough bills to pay as it is. But wait, what if you could qualify for financial aid for single mothers, would you pursue returning to school?

YES! Given a chance to improve your life. Who, What, Why, Where, How, When?! Well, read on to find out.

What kind of help you need?

You have to have to be clear about what kind of help you need. There are various things a single mother like you would need help with and their is more or less an appropriate program for that. Things which single moms usually need financial assistance are housing, food, child care, education, and medical care.

Who can help you?

Government and non-government sectors, both have agencies or programs which give financial help to low-income families.

Why are there groups that cater to problems like this?

The reasons actually vary but, in a a nutshell, it must be because these groups recognizes the necessity for assisting single mothers for the greater good.

Where can you look for them?

You can visit their websites on the net, or you can go to your local government to find out what specific assistance programs you qualify for. You can also check out business ads. Here are some government and non-government sources for help:

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

This is a program under the U.S. Department of Education providing financial aid for education. They educate you on obtaining aid, process educational aid requests, and disburse funds for students through schools and more. This is their official website: FAFSA. That’s not your only option though, you can also get financial aid from non-government agencies for as large as $10000 for college and I’m not kidding.

U.S. Department for Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

This government agency’s mission is “to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all”. Fair, public, and multifamily housing all fall under HUD umbrella jurisdiction. To find out more, go this site: HUD.gov.

CoAbode

This is a private organization which offers housing assistance for single mothers and low-income families. They carefully select single parent families who will live together so they can minimize their living expenses and share responsibilities. Find out more about CoAbode.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

This is a program that helps provide for the family’s basic needs while the parent is unable to find employment. This is also commonly referred to as welfare. For more info follow this URL: http://www.hhs.gov/recovery/programs/tanf/index.html.

How can you qualify for it?

Qualifications may vary depending on the company or group but families with low-income are qualified.

For further information and aid, you can always approach your local government to see what they can do to assist you.

Scholarships Help Single Mothers

29. October 2010 · Comments Off · Categories: Uncategorized · Tags: , , , ,

Being a single mom is one of the greatest challenge life could throw at you. Imagine being responsible for the past, present and future and you’ll see how daunting it can be. How much more difficult it must be for single mothers who have not earned a degree? They have to support and raise their child with the small amount of money they earn. And even if they want to finish their degree, they are unable to do so because they simple do not have the funds for it. However, it does not mean it is completely hopeless for them. They can always look for other alternatives.

Federal Student Aid

Single moms could try to apply for aid here. This program was made to cater to low-income families. They provide grants, loans, campus-based help, and Stafford loans. They can even help you get your degree for free as long as your qualifies. For more resources visit here: FSA

Scholarships

There are many amazing scholarships provided by government and non-government agencies. It is best if you approach the college you want to attend and inquire about financial assistance opportunities. If you want help in looking for something specific like nursing scholarships for single mothers, you can go to these:

Financial Aid For Women

It has link to various scholarships and programs that are dedicated to helping women Scholarships/Grants for Women (University of Minnesota)and American Association of University Women (AAUW). Both cater specifically to women and their welfare. For more details and information go here: FAW

The Assistance League

It provides an abundant resource of information on community-based programs for needy families. This is a non-profit organization which seeks to empower others. They have different programs like senior and youth programs. They also have family programs which can help single moms provide for their children. For a better understanding of this program visit here: assistanceleague.org.

There are more solutions available for single moms like loans for example, there is even one where you can register to win $10000 for educational purposes. You can also try to avail government benefits for low-income families. They can help provide for not only your education, but also for your housing help, clothing, employment and training. There are privates sectors who also offer grants and scholarships for qualified people. There’s really a lot of viable options for you. Continue to be amazing!

Single Mothers’ Day Care Assistance

13. October 2010 · Comments Off · Categories: Uncategorized · Tags: , ,

A single parent juggling child-rearing and work is quite a challenge. You cannot neglect either of them they require your complete attention, the thing is both cannot be left alone to fend for themselves. You are a single parent with bills to pay and mouths to feed, of course you need to earn but while you are working who will be with you children? Let’s say you have little kids they cannot be left on their own at home so you naturally have to look for people or places who can cater to them, the thing is everyone’s busy too. So, where do you go?

State Assistance

Your state has programs mandated by the federal government to provide for child care. It is best for you to visit your local government to find out what alternatives are at hand for your dilemma. You can inquire about information for free daycare for single mothers in your respective states here: state assistance.

Babysitters/Nanny

You can hire somebody to babysit for you. For more information, visit here: care.com.

Daycare

Daycare assistance for single mothers is nothing new and there are a lot of groups providing such services or information on where to find it near you. Like the following:

Daycare Bear

This is a network that provides information on daycare providers. Check here for more details: DayCareBear.

Child Care Aware

Under the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA), this program was established to help families. This is a respectable website that provides resources on where you can find provisions to better care for your child. If you want to know where to go to for help on paying for daycare for your children you can visit this site: child care aware.

Furthermore, you can also refer to childcare.org for more information on government related programs to assist single mothers like you, for starters, they have the following provisions:

Child and Dependent Care Credit

You can get an income tax return if you paid somebody to care for your child while you are working or looking for work.

Child Care Resource and Referral Agency (CCR&R)

There should be a CCR&R in your area, you can visit their office to inquire about where to go for special funding or aid in payind for daycare.

Early Head Start and Head Start

These are daycare centers catering to infants to children up to 5 years old who belong to low-income families.

These are merely a handful of the places you can go to for help but there are more agencies available out there.

Government Grants For Moms

10. September 2010 · Comments Off · Categories: Uncategorized · Tags: , ,

“When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.” – Sophia Loren

I think Sophia Loren knew what she was talking about when she said these words. A mother, any parent for that matter thinks foremost for the good of her children. The sweat and tears expelled by their exhausted body and soul are meaningful and bearable because they are dedicated to their offspring. But the hardship is halved and the happiness multiplied because they have a partner to share the ups and downs of parenthood with.

So, the single parent sometimes bears twice the hardship because they have no one to help them carry their crosses. But they do this just as willingly and just as fervently as their paired counterparts. It’s just that simple. Problems become big ones when you face it alone.

But you are not alone. There are agencies which offer free grants for single mothers. The federal government has appropriated funds to states to provide for programs to help needy families. Like the following:

Montana: Families Achieving Independence in Montana (FAIM)

They can help provide for single moms with low-incomes because they provide various services like Child Care Assistance, Healthy Montana Kids (HMK), Energy Assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program(SNAP), Medicaid, Special Supplemental Nutrition for Women, Infants & Children (WIC), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

North Dakota: TEEM (Training, Employment, Education Management)

They provide the following services: Basic Care Assistance Program (BCAP), Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP), Healthy Steps Children’s Health Insurance, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) / Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS).

There are also government grants which can assist you, they can help you address some of your needs including education needs, like the ones below:

Federal Pell Grants

This grant is usually given to students who do not have a degree yet. This is not like a loan so there is no need for you to repay it. This is great for single moms who want to earn their degree. For more info:

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)

In order to get this grant, you must be a recipient of the Federal Pell Grant. For the first year it gives $750 and $1,300 for the second year. It can help single mothers continue their education.

There are more grants found here in grants.gov, or you can go ahead and register for the $10000 scholarship for moms drawing.

Free Money For Single Mothers?

30. August 2010 · Comments Off · Categories: Uncategorized · Tags: , , , , ,

“Mothers always find ways to fit in the work – but then when you’re working, you feel that you should be spending time with your children and then when you’re with your children, you’re thinking about working.” – Alice Hoffman

I think most single mothers can relate to Alice Hoffman’s statement. The feeling of being torn between the two most important things in your life, your work and your children. The truth is your work is important because it helps give you what you need to support your children, but your work also takes you away from them. It is far more difficult for single parents to find time for their children because they have to work twice as hard to provide for them. And even then, some of them find themselves in trouble, even homeless. Dear single mothers, when the going gets tough and feels like more than you could handle, worry no more. There is help.

For these people the government and other non-government agencies have provided assistance through free grants. For single moms, that’s almost like free money for you because unlike a loan you do not need to repay it but there are certain obligations you need to fulfill which are a small price to pay for the help you will receive, of course. Single mothers can check out these places if they are low on money and need assistance in providing for their children. Here are a few places single moms can go to seek help:

GRANTS

Grants are awards given to execute a government sanctioned objective. It can be given to individuals or groups. To look for grants go to: grants.gov .

BENEFITS

This is the place to go to look for personal assistance but it does not necessarily mean it is a place that provides free money for single mothers. The government gives assistance through this in relation to real needs of citizens like education, training and housing. This is not given out easily, in order to get this you must apply for it and they do not always give out cash payments. To find out more about this go to: benefits.gov .

Small Business Administration (SBA)

For single moms with a small business and need more resources to support it. They address your needs for financing through their Guaranteed Loan Program, Bonding Program and Venture Capital Program. For further information you can visit: SBA .

Federal Student Aid

If you are single mom with money problems but want to earn your degree, you can visit this site: studentaid.ed.gov. There are grants available here for you, the beauty about grants is that you don’t need to repay them. These are the following grants available in this program:Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant (TEACH Grant), Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), The Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG), The National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant(National SMART Grant), Institutional Grants and Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant.

And if that’s not enough you can even win $10000 for school, if you register for the 10K scholarship for moms. So, stop worrying and apply now!

Grants Help Single Moms

16. August 2010 · Comments Off · Categories: Uncategorized · Tags: , , ,

One of the challenges of single parents is paying for the rent or getting their own house. Parenting is a fulfilling endeavor but it is also not an easy thing to do. Perhaps, it is even more difficult for single parents because they have to fill the role of two people. They have to be both mother and father, and the only source of income and nurture.

For a single mother with a low-income, being able to buy their own house is highly unlikely, they are probably only barely surviving on what little she earns. Although there are those who get through this unscathed some have to encounter the threat of being homeless. For these cases, is there someone who would give a single mother assistance in housing?

I do not know if there is an individual who would single-handedly give housing grants for single mothers but I do know their are groups both in the government and out of it which specialize in helping people with low-income keep a roof over their heads.

These groups were specifically made to cater to housing-related problems. They are dedicated to the provision of homes for people and to the decrease in the number of homeless people. They have envisioned a country where each individual enjoys their right to a safe and clean shelter.

State Assistance

States have programs to address the needs of their low-income families. Like the following:

Hughson Family Resource Center Inc – Hughson: One of their main goal is to reduce the effects of poverty on families.

The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency – Bismarck

They aim to make housing affordable for people living in Bismarck. They have affordable mortgage financing as well as rental housing at an affordable price. Plus they want to continue and grow with the changing housing needs in the city.

Department Of Housing And Urban Development North Dakota – Fargo: They deal with owners so tenants who have low incomes can afford their homes.

Burleigh County Housing Authority – Bismarck: They provide affordable houses in a safe place for families with low-income.

Grants

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has programs and grants for low-income families. There are grants for single mothers to buy a home but they are not necessarily abundant. However in the event that you cannot get a grant for single moms you can always apply for the many grants they have that cater to low-income families as long as you qualify for it. For more information on grants, go to grants.gov.

When all else fails, you can always apply for a loan. Check this site for more information: www.govloans.gov.

TANF: Programs For Single Mothers

05. August 2010 · Comments Off · Categories: Uncategorized · Tags: ,

A single mothers circumstance is never easy. To fight a battle for two alone is difficult but before you single moms out there think you are alone, I would like to say you are not. There are programs for single mothers who lack resources to to sufficiently support her family. There are benefits for you which can ease your burden.

One program provided by the government is the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) This assistance program is nationwide and provides cash assistance for low-income families among other things. These are some of them found in different states:

Alabama: Family Assistance

It offers financial help for the basic needs of families with dependents whose income does not exceed the standard of this agency. These are its services: Public Assistance, JOBS, Alabama Fatherhood Initiative. For more information, you can visit this page:http://www.dhr.state.al.us/page.asp?pageid=357.

Alaska Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP)

This program has a 60-month limit on its assistance and caters to families which have countable resources of less than $2,000. The family must have an income less than the ATAP’s limit to be eligible for this. For more info: visit ATAP.

Arizona: EMPOWER

This state has a very comprehensive program for its citizens. It has services like “short-term crisis” which temporarily helps low-income families, during an emergency, towards stability. Where to find assistance in Arizona.

California: CALWORKS

This programs assists in preparing and obtaining an employment. It serves all 58 counties of this state. Learn more here: http://www.cdss.ca.gov/cdssweb/PG141.htm.

Colorado: Colorado Works

This is a program under TANF which requires recipients of its services to render services for the food stamps given. Dig in: http://www.cdhs.state.co.us/employmentfirst/Workfare.htm

Connecticut: JOBS FIRST

This gives aid in form of cash for the basic and special needs of the recipient. Those who receive this aid will receive money up to the Federal Poverty Level for 21 months. Find out here: www.ct.gov.

Delaware: ASSIST

This program provides medical assistance, cash assistance, food stamp benefits and child care services. Details are found at Delaware Assist.

D.C.

They offer a wide range of assistance for its citizens such as Homeless Assistance, Homeless Resource Sheet, Housing and Shelters, Permanent Supportive Housing, Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program and Teen Parents. Visit DC Dept of Human Services.

Florida: ACCESS FLORIDA PROGRAM

It provides food assistance, temporary cash assistance and medicaid. These programs are aimed at helping low-income families. Learn more about the Access Florida Program.

Visiting your home state’s website is the fastest route to uncovering assistance programs to aid you in your time of need.

Answering A Single Mother’s Cry For Help

08. July 2010 · Comments Off · Categories: Uncategorized · Tags: , , ,

One of the most famous woman in the history of America is probably Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. She was an icon in and of herself not only because she became the wife of two very powerful and influential men, John F. Kennedy and Aristotle Onassis. She became a single parent at a young age and had this to say about the importance of parenting:

“If you bungle raising your children, I don’t think whatever else you do well matters very much.”

After she became a Kennedy’s widow, she married Onassis for security, according to some people. Regardless, she raised wonderful children.

Will it turn out just as well for most of us?

The thing is, while everything somehow worked out for a single parent like her, and I doubt she even had money troubles at that time, the situation isn’t quite as promising for most of us. Most of us have to struggle with working almost ceasingly to pay for the bills and support our children, barely having enough time to spend with them.

Some of us even have to suffer through being overworked and underpaid just because we lack the degree to bag a higher paying job. And yet in spite of our toil and diligence it is still not enough to secure the life and future we want to provide for our children.

So, upon hearing about the “Obama grant” our anxious and tired hearts began to relax and fill with hope but these hopes were dashed once we realized that it was nothing but a scam. The cruelty of dangling the carrot of financial aid for single parents only to have it withdrawn in the end.

Is it the end then for struggling single parents?

Not at all, because there are government assistance for single mothers programs. Below are some of the government aid available.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

This program is found nationwide. It’s goal is not to indefinitely provide for the needy families but to help them while they are trying to stabilize their lives. This program helps individuals moves towards independence and stability by providing financial assistance and job training.

Grants

The U.S. government provides a lot of grants for different needs. There are small business grants if you want to start your own business. There’s also housing assistance and health care aid, especially needed by low-income families with children. It also has student and college grants for education. Most of all for women, particularly single moms, there are grants for women. All this and more are found here http://www.grants.gov/applicants/find_grant_opportunities.jsp

Loans

The government also gives loans for education, housing, business and disaster relief. Check it here: http://www.govloans.gov/

It’s comforting for single mothers like us to know that our government has created programs and services to address our needs.

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