News

Single moms, Friday,December 1st is the
last chance to register for the
6th annual Single Moms Christmas Dinner.

Don't miss this special event!

Join us at the Iowa Events Center - Vets Auditorium. The event starts at 5:30, the doors open at 5pm. The event is free for single moms and their kids, but you need to register to attend. You can register online here. 

If you've got a couple of hours to spare between now and December 9th, we need help in our office as we kick into high gear in preparations for the Single Moms Christmas Dinner. 

• If you've got nimble fingers, we've got items to be gift wrapped.
• If you've got organizing skills, we have a few office projects that could use your help.
• If you can stuff, type, call, mail, or run errands we would love to have you join us! 

Registration for the 6th annual Single Moms Christmas Dinner is now OPEN! Enjoy this video to see a glimpse of the special night ahead. 

We are preparing for 550 single moms and 750 children, December 9th at the Iowa Events Center. It's free for single moms and their kids, but you need to register.

Join us for this memorable evening - register here! 

Ruthann never envisioned her journey to include being a divorced, single mom. Read more of her story here...

The weather may still feel like summer, but October is right around the corner. We are well underway with our preparations for the 6th Annual Single Moms Christmas Dinner. 

This year, we are preparing for 550 single moms and 750 children!

Help us honor single mothers and their children this Christmas!

Event Details

WHO: Single mothers throughout Central Iowa.

WHAT: A special Christmas event honoring single mothers with a catered dinner, program, music, and gifts all free for single mothers and their children.

WHERE: Iowa Event Center in Downtown Des Moines

WHEN: Saturday, December 9, 2017 from 5:00 to 8:00pm

Become a Table Sponsor

A $500 table sponsorship helps provide dinner, gift bags and the table gift for each mother at the sponsored table. 

Become a Children’s Room Sponsor

A $3000 Children’s Room Sponsor helps provide dinner, supplies, crafts, and gifts for the children in the sponsored room. 

Sponsors will be recognized for their contribution in the following ways:

•    Name/logo on the room display sign
•    Listed on the sponsorship thank you inserted in all gift bags
•    Name/logo on the scrolling presentation shown throughout the dinner

 How to Make it Happen

1. Email the business or individual name to be recognized, logo (if applicable), and preferred contact information to be used to Becki Ramsey at bramsey@singleparentprovision.org.

2. Then send your tax-deductible contribution payable to Single Parent Provision to our office, 2041 Grand Avenue Suite D, West Des Moines, IA 50265 OR fulfill your sponsorship pledge online by credit card at www.singleparentprovision.org/donate. If paying online, please be sure to write “Table Sponsor” or “Children’s Room Sponsor” in the provided comment field.

 "Thank you again for making that evening possible and
for all the hard work put into it to make 
EVERY SINGLE MOTHER IN THAT ROOM FEEL AS THOUGH 
WE WERE THE ONLY ONE IN THE ROOM!"
 Tanekia, Des Moines, single mother of 4

The Single Moms Christmas Dinner is only possible because of the hearts and hands of many individuals working together to create a special night for the women and children who attend. If you'd like to be one of those individuals, please let us know by signing up to volunteer and indicating the ways in which you'd like to serve.

Thank you for helping make this a special night! 

Our story is important because the stories of
single parent families are important. 

Meet Alycia...

We met Alycia at a Single Moms Christmas Dinner several years ago. It's been great to get to know her and her children. We know you will find her story as encouraging as we do. 

Alycia will tell you she has a "colorful story". She is a single mom to six wonderful children, ages 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, and 21.

Her oldest son was born when she was 21. It was then she decided, "whether I was ready or not, I was going to do what I needed to do to be the best mom I could." 

A few years later she got married, but after seven years of marriage and four children, she and her husband divorced. 

Soon after that Alycia adopted her 2 year old biological nephew and became a mother to six children. 

The biggest challenge she faces is being able to give each of her children the attention they deserve. Alycia stays extremely involved in her children's education, volunteering and working within the school district. She says that staying actively engage in your children's lives is key to developing good relationships with them.

Though it has been colorful and challenging, Alycia feels blessed. She receives many compliments regarding her kids and revels in all of them. "Just thinking about my children and how far we've come brings me great joy."

Being active in her children's education helped uncover her passion, working with youth. Recently, Alycia completed an AS Degree in Human Services and wants to open a youth and resource center. 

Her advice to other single parents is to stay encouraged. She says, "Things may look difficult now, but trust God in all circumstances and he will see you though." 

She also says to not be too hard on yourself or your children, do your best to model unconditional love, and when faced with the decision to do chores or to spend time with your kids, to choose quality time. The household work will always be there. "...don't forget to laugh, and remember to take time for you." 

Thank you for sharing, Alycia.
We are inspired by you!

Our story is important because the stories of
single parent families are important. 

Meet Kate...

Tell us a little about your story...

My oldest daughter's father and I split not long before she was born. When she was born, she was put in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and almost died. It was extremely hard on me. We were able to live with my parents, which was a blessing, but I was clueless about how to be a single parent. My parents were still married and didn't know what to do. No one in my family was a single parent. I didn't know any one else who was a single mom or a single dad. Single parenting was not my normal. I felt alone and scared. 

My relationship with my youngest daughter's dad ended just before she was born. She was two months early and was also in the NICU. I met Teahl (with Single Parent Provision) not long after that, and we became friends; our girls went to preschool together. I hadn't really met any other single moms until then. 

It took her about six months of asking, before I went to my first group. I had no idea what to expect. It took a lot of courage on my end, but I finally went. As I listened to the women sharing their "pits and peaks" for the week, I got emotional and teary-eyed. I felt instantly close to them. I thought, "Oh my goodness! I'm really not alone!" I know I'm not the only single mom out there, but you feel that way when you're going through things in your life. 

What impact has Single Parent Provision (SPP) made in your family's life? 

SPP saved my life. If it wasn't for SPP, I don't know where I would be in my life spiritually or as a parent. There are so many struggles and every day is new for me, something I haven't ever dealt with yet. And they help take a lot of stress off. SPP will always be close to my heart. 

What would you tell other single parents? 

You are not alone. Know and feel loved and you're not alone. There are a ton of people who are there for you. There are people who truly care about you and have gone through similar things.

What would you tell those who volunteer or give to SPP?

Just thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Without SPP, there is not a good support system for single parents. For as common as it is to be a single parent, there just isn't support. The generosity and the hearts involved in SPP are so touching. So many parents have felt the love and relief.

Thank you for sharing, Kate. We love you!

Watch Christine's testimony here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCJoZgnaGfQ.

Join us at the Simpson Barn in Johnston on Thursday, April 6, 2017 for a night of reflection of what God has done, celebration of where we are now, and anticipation of what is yet to come!

This banquet kicks off our Annual Campaign and is being held to tell the story of what God is doing in and through Single Parent Provision and to invite others to join Him. An opportunity to make a financial contribution will be extended.

• Click here to RSVP by Monday, April 3 or call us at 515.868.9252
  

• Simpson Barn, 6169 Northglenn Drive in Johnston
  

• Doors open at 6PM; dinner and program 6:30-8:30PM
  

• Dress: In true barn fashion, jeans and boots welcomed

• Adults only please