Who Does a Single Mother Turn to When She Needs Help?

Being a mother isn’t easy. You play the role of chef, chauffer, coach, teacher, disciplinarian, nurturer, and friend—sometimes simultaneously. It’s a full-time job under the best of circumstances, but what about when everything goes wrong?

• Your car breaks down.

• Your childcare falls through.

• Your medical bills pile up.

• You lose your job.

• Your partner becomes abusive.

• You have to parent during a pandemic.

And what if you’re not just a mama, but also single, or poor, or a woman of color, or on the margins of society. What then?

Who does that mother turn to when she needs help?

Emergency financial assistance becomes critical for survival, but it’s not always available. 

THE NEED FOR EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Every child deserves to have food in their belly, access to essentials like diapers, and a safe place to lay their heads at night. And every mama deserves to mother without the stress of just surviving.

Unfortunately, not everyone gets what they deserve.

Generational poverty, abuse, lack of access, having to accept low-wage jobs, and more have put mothers like you in incredibly difficult circumstances. And this is multiplied when you are single, a woman of color, or living in the margins.

The statistics are staggering:

• 38% of single parents in the Atlanta area live below the poverty line, most of whom are mamas

• 75% of Tender beneficiaries are on government assistance, according to our internal surveys

• Atlanta has one of the highest eviction rates, particularly in predominately Black communities

• 25% of children in Metro Atlanta live in poverty, with some areas like Decatur reporting higher numbers 

• 40% of Americans can’t cover a $400 emergency expense, and would have to borrow it, sell something, or go into debt

What can be done for these women?

There are some incredible social service programs offered in Atlanta. Unfortunately, many of them are overwhelmed and are unable to meet an urgent and immediate need. There are also numerous hoops to jump through and miles of red tape to navigate.

Some mothers have also said that they felt like just a number in the system or even judged for their difficulty, which would cause them to think twice about asking for help in the future.

And while crowdfunding has become a popular option for covering pressing needs and bills, it takes time, a personal network with resources, and the ability to admit to friends and families how dire your situation has become.

Every barrier is an obstacle between a mother and opportunity, resulting in inadequate housing, childcare, nutrition, and even access to basic essentials. The worst-case scenarios leave families stuck in a cycle of poverty, returning to abusive situations, or even homeless.

At this point you may be asking yourself, “Is there a better way?”

That question is what led to the birth of The Tender Foundation.

INTRODUCING THE TENDER FOUNDATION

The Tender Foundation is committed to empowering all moms by making essentials accessible.

Founded in 2019 by model, philanthropist, and mother, Jaycina Almond, Tender is dedicated to providing unity, access, and equity to mothers all across Atlanta.  

“After I had my daughter, I knew I wanted to do something that spoke to my experience of being a mom and the sacred role it plays in my life,” Jaycina said. “I also realized that as a single, young, Black mom living in Atlanta, I could’ve been a statistic. So, I decided that I wanted to help people in my positon. I can’t imagine worrying about having to mother from a place of survival.”

Unlike many traditional, social service organizations, Tender is able to work quickly, ensuring that urgent needs are met, which provides a huge sense of relief for beneficiaries. Additionally, there aren’t many assistance options specifically for single mothers, who are disproportionally affected by generational poverty.

Family stabilization through short-term assistance is our goal because it can help steady a mama, so that she can get back on her feet. It’s a safety net that helps her take a breath, as well as the next, right step.

It looks like:

• Bill pay assistance, such as rent, utilities, and childcare

• Food assistance through grocery gift cards and nonperishables 

• Essentials like diapers, wipes, formula, and more

Additionally, we connect mamas to long-term resources that will equip them for a brighter future.

Empowering mothers like you with resources and choices in a personal and loving way provides not just stability, but dignity. Asking for help is a courageous decision, and we celebrate every mama who wants a better life for her kids.

THE TENDER PROCESS

When you need help with short-term rent assistance or accessing essentials like diapers and wipes, you don’t have time to wait. You’re also in a very vulnerable position, and don’t want to feel judged or ashamed.

Mamas in need are our highest priority, and while you care for others, it’s our honor to care for you. It is a humbling experience to ask for help, and we respect your courage in taking that step. Rest assured, you will not only receive the assistance you need, but tenderness and compassion along the way.

Here’s a peek into Tender’s quick and painless process: 

• Apply for help on our website.

• Someone follows up with you within 48 hours.

• If your need is within our scope, assistance will be provided within 72 hours.

• You are also provided with additional resources that may help you now or later, such as information on local education and workforce development programs, as well as contacts at other organizations working in the same area as us.

• You get back to taking care of your family while meeting your most urgent need. 

• You are once again on the path to stability.

After receiving assistance, we send a short survey to assess your experience. Another survey will be sent 60 days later to check back in on you and see if your status has changed or if there is anything else we can do for you.

We are here for you both now and in the future, and look forward to celebrating your victories along the way.

IMPACT SO FAR AND FUTURE PLANS

Since launching in January 2020, rent assistance has remained the biggest need. Even beyond a catastrophic situation like the pandemic, almost half of a low-income individual’s paycheck goes toward rent in Atlanta, which means that emergency financial assistance is always an urgent need, particularly for single mothers.

2020 milestones and impact at a glance:

• The initial, annual fundraising goal of $20,000 was met in January, which meant setting bigger goals! We are now focused on raising $40,000 by the end of the year.

• Our first beneficiary was provided with rent assistance in early January, allowing one mama to start her year off with less stress.

• Multiple beneficiaries are assisted each month, easing the burden of being a single mama with multiple responsibilities.

• Diapers and wipes are consistently collected by volunteers and distributed weekly to mamas around the Atlanta area. As of June 2020, we have distributed 1,636 diapers and 2,000+ wipes!

Additionally, Tender beneficiaries consistently report:

• Feeling grateful

• Feeling more stable

• Feeling relieved

• That they can now get through their crisis

• That working with Tender was a simple, fast, and friendly process

• That they don’t feel like a transaction to our organization

We are proud of what the Tender community has accomplished in less than a year, but we have big plans for the future. 

Within the next year or so, we are working to:

• Add a dedicated “mama support” team member that will be focused on helping our moms draft family goals that we can help them meet, find outside resources to fit their needs, and assist with anything else Tender can do for them.

• Create a grant that allows us to fund doulas and midwives for mamas that wouldn’t usually have access to these resources. Black mothers have the highest maternal mortality rate at a time when it is almost entirely preventable, and we want to see that number decrease.

• Raise $75,000 in 2021 to be able to fund the two goals above and, of course, provide even more emergency rent assistance and access to essentials, all of which will give additional mamas family stability and security in times of crisis.

There are many more mamas around Atlanta that need help, and we are committed to empowering them by making essentials accessible. Will you join us?

WHAT DO BENEFICIARIES HAVE TO SAY?

The mamas we support through short-term emergency assistance are incredible humans who may have found themselves in crisis mode, but are determined to achieve sustainable financial assistance. Often, it just takes a helping hand for them to reach the next level.

Here are a few of their stories:

Charlotte, Mother of 1: 

“I am so grateful for what you have done for us. You opened doors in ways that you are not even aware of. It was not just a first month’s rent, but an opportunity to have a sound mind to create more opportunities, as well as a comfortable environment for my son to rest and play. I didn't know how God was going to work it out, but I was learning to surrender and trust. And he sent you. Infinite gratitude.”

Lachana, Mother of 2: 

“Thank you—a million times! You made my month! Your dedication, honesty, and support has been mind-blowing. Everything meant so much to my boys and I during this rough time. I have nothing to give right now, but I have been praying that you and your agency be BLESSED beyond measure!”

Mardra, Mother of 1:  

“I reached out to The Tender Foundation via their website, and received a response immediately. I expressed my need for assistance and they were so friendly, gracious, and understanding. Their assistance allowed my daughter and I to stay in our home. Jaycina and her team were there when I need support most!”

YOUR NEXT STEPS 

The Tender Foundation is a powerful community of women and men who want to see single mamas succeed, not struggle. 

When you provide help to mothers, you can set their families (and entire communities) up for long-term stability, and it is our goal to empower women with resources and choices that allow them to thrive.

How can Tender partner with you to support mamas?

• Mamas, get assistance here. Take a deep breath; help is on the way.

• Individuals and companies interested in getting involved can contact us for more details on how to use your skills and resources to serve some of Atlanta’s strongest and bravest citizens.

• Join our email list to stay in touch. We’d love to build a relationship with you, and share ways that you can make an impact.

Of course, our organization cannot exist without the generosity of people like you, so donations of any size are deeply appreciated.

Thank you for joining us in taking a tender approach with mamas in need.